Cops, Court and Fire Calls
Policeman responding to call injured in collision
COLONIE — A Colonie police officer was injured Friday evening after his cruiser collided with another car at the intersection of Watervlietshaker and Old Loudon roads.
The unidentified officer, a 20-year veteran, was taken to Albany Medical Center Hospital where he was listed in stable condition with “nonlife threatening” injuries, according to Colonie Sgt. John O’donnell.
The other driver, a 56-year-old Latham man whose identity was not released by police, was taken to Albany Memorial Hospital complaining of chest pain. His vehicle was traveling north on Old Loudon Road.
At the time of the 7:15 p.m. collision, the police cruiser was traveling west on Albany-shaker Road, and using its emergency lights and siren, said O’donnell.
The officer was responding to an unspecified call for assistance from another unidentified police agency, he added.
A report on Spectrum News Saturday indicated the crash was connected to a police chase of a suspect or suspects involved in an armed robbery in Troy on Friday night.
Police in Troy and Colonie did not respond to Times Union requests for comment on Saturday.
Alcohol and drugs were ruled out as factors in the collision, he said. Any witnesses to the incident were asked to contact Colonie police at 518-783-2744.
— Staff report
Man and woman accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend
A man and woman were arrested Friday after they allegedly assaulted a woman in Berne.
According to Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple, Joseph B. Peek, 27, of Schoharie, punched the woman, his ex-girlfriend, at her home and then held her down while Melanie A. Jenkins, 32, of Tennessee, strangled the woman with her hands until the victim lost consciousness.
Peek also stood on the woman’s back and neck with a work boot, police said.
Witnesses on the scene dialed 911 after seeing the assault.
The victim was evaluated by Albany County paramedics and refused further medical attention.
Peek was charged with assault in the third degree, a misdemeanor. Jenkins was charged with strangulation in the second degree, a felony.
Peek and Jenkins were arraigned in the Berne Town Court.
Peek was released on his own recognizance. Jenkins was sent to the Albany County jail for lack of $500 bail.
A no contact order of protection was issued, meant to protect the victim from both defendants.
Peek and Jenkins are scheduled to return to court Dec. 11.
— Leigh Hornbeck