04/30/13 Rensselaer, NY – Attempted Carjack Suspect Escapes Custody In Handcuffs – Jumps Into Unmarked Police Car – Attempted To Drive Away

April 30, 2013

news10.com

A South Glens Falls man faces a slew of charges after he attempted to flee officers in a stolen unmarked police vehicle.

Rensselaer Police responded to the Xtramart at 9 Third Ave. on Sunday for a silent hold-up alarm. They were told by employees that a man came in, stated he had a gun, and demanded cash. The cashier went to get her manager, and the man fled in a black mustang.

Patrol officers later found the vehicle and suspect at the boat launch on Forbes Avenue where they saw the man trying to car jack an occupied vehicle. The officers chased the man and took him into custody.

John T. Harris, 53, from South Glens Falls, was placed inside the patrol car while officers conducted a vehicle inventory of the car he had been driving. While they were occupied, Harris was able to get his arms up over his head and in front of him. Still handcuffed, he tampered with the rear door of the car in an attempt to escape. He then jumped into an unmarked police vehicle and attempted to drive away, but the officers were able to pull him from the car.

An investigation found that the 2012 black mustang Harris was driving was stolen from the City of Albany and Rensselaer Police did not find any weapons in his procession.

Harris is charged with the following:
Attempted Robbery 1st-Degree, a class C felony
Attempted Grand Larceny 4th-Degree, a class A misdemeanor
Attempted Robbery 2nd-Degree of a motor vehicle, a class C felony
Escape from jail/custody, a class E felony
Attempted Grand Larceny 4th-Degree, a class E felony
Grand Larceny 3rd-Degree, a class D felony
Resisting Arrest, a class A misdemeanor
Obstruction of Governmental Administration 2nd-Degree, a class A misdemeanor
Criminal Mischief Intent to Damage Property, a class A misdemeanor