Very early morning on Tuesday, December 30, Schoharie County, New York, deputies were already chasing a problem. Cars had gone missing in Central Bridge, and the clues pointed to a quick, messy theft spree rather than a clean, single hit. Then the situation crossed a line few departments ever expect to deal with. Suddenly, one of the missing vehicles now belonged to the sheriff’s office itself.

According to the Schoharie County Sheriff’s Office and reporting from local CBS 6, deputies were called to Central Bridge around 5:30 a.m. They’d received a report of a stolen vehicle.

As the investigation unfolded, officers realized the problem was bigger than a single car

More than one vehicle had been stolen from the immediate area. Each was later found abandoned nearby, suggesting a fast-moving, unplanned spree rather than an organized crime ring.

While deputies were still working those initial scenes, the situation escalated.

A marked Schoharie County Sheriff’s Office patrol SUV sped away from the area of the investigation…and it wasn’t police behind the wheel

Multiple law enforcement agencies attempted to stop the stolen patrol car, but officers repeatedly lost sight of it.

A perimeter was eventually set up, with officers positioned at key intersections. At Wetsel Hollow Road and Schoharie Hill Road, deputies spotted the patrol car traveling westbound on Schoharie Hill Road.

Moments later, it crashed into two other drivers. The front impact left the patrol SUV and at least one other vehicle inoperable.

Officers immediately took the suspect into custody at the scene. Medical aid was provided to the suspect and to the other drivers involved in the crash. Authorities later confirmed there was no further danger to the public following the arrest.

The theft suspect now faces a long list of charges

Those include (deep breath) grand larceny, driving while ability impaired by drugs, criminal possession of a weapon, burglary, criminal trespass, criminal mischief, assault, reckless endangerment, and multiple vehicle and traffic law violations. The investigation remains ongoing, and reportedly, additional charges are anticipated.

The sheriff’s office credited assistance from the New York State Police, local town, village, and county highway departments, Schoharie Fire Department, Scho-Wright Ambulance, Schoharie County EMS, and Cobleskill Village Police.