Two arrested after police chase

PITTSTOWN, N.Y. » New York State Police recently arrested two people following a chase in Pittstown.

Troopers said they observed Josephina L. Pontore, 25, of Albany, operating a 2011 Ford Fiesta on State Route 7 in Pittstown.

The vehicle had previously been reported stolen from Albany. When the patrol attempted to stop Pontore, she initially pulled over but soon sped off and a vehicle pursuit was initiated, according to Troopers.

The trooper ended the pursuit for safety reasons, losing sight of the vehicle, but came upon it a short time later. The vehicle was off the roadway and Pontore and her passenger, Solly Griffin, 60, of Albany, had exited. The vehicle caught on fire and was extinguished by responding fire crews.

According to State Police, Pontore fled on foot upon seeing the trooper approach and was apprehended after a brief foot chase. She exhibited signs of impairment and was transported to Samaritan Hospital for medical evaluation. Griffin was taken into custody without incident.

Pontore was charged with felony third-degree grand larceny, felony third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, misdemeanor third-degree fleeing an officer in a vehicle, misdemeanor resisting arrest, misdemeanor operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs, and misdemeanor reckless driving.

Griffin was charged with third-degree criminal possession of stolen property.

Pontore was arraigned in Pittstown Town Court and remanded to Rensselaer County Jail on bail.

Solly was issued an appearance ticket and released.

Both are due back in Pittstown Town Court on a later date.