3/29/25 Saratoga County, NY – Man Steals Saratoga County Patrol Car In Front Of The Sheriff’s Office While A Deputy Was Processing A Prisoner At The Half Moon Station – Tracked Down With GPS An Hour Later By State Police – Arrested

A Clifton Park man faces a felony charge, accused of stealing a marked Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle Friday evening.

According to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, Jordan A. Salas, 35, took the patrol vehicle, which had been left running behind the Halfmoon substation, Friday evening at about 11:00 p.m. while the deputy processed a separate arrest inside the building.

The vehicle was located by the New York State Police in the Kingston area approximately one hour later after being tracked by the Sheriff’s Office’s GPS software. Salas was taken into custody at that time without incident, and charged with grand larceny in the 2nd degree, a class C felony. There were no weapons in the vehicle when it was stolen and it was not damaged when recovered.

“We’re grateful for the assistance of our law enforcement partners in seeing this to a rapid, safe conclusion,” commented Sheriff Michael H. Zurlo. “Suffice it to say, we will be thoroughly reviewing the circumstances that led to this incident.” The Sheriff’s Office’s Professional Standards Unit has been assigned to the case as well.

Salas was arraigned in the Milton Town Court and released on his own recognizance pending further proceedings in the Halfmoon Town Court. According to the sheriff’s office, the charge in the matter is not a qualifying offense for the purpose of setting bail under the New York state law that went into effect in January 2020.