Man tosses gun as he flees from police

NEWBURGH – City Police have charged a 23-year-old Newburgh man with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon and other charges after he fled from them and tossed a gun he was carrying at the time.

Police were called to the area of Farrington and Chambers streets shortly before 11 p.m. on Monday, May 19 for a report of shots fired. When Officer Kevin Lahar got there, he saw a man later identified as Joseph Clarke, Jr. of 239 First Street, pull his hood up over his head and conceal his hands. He refused to stop when ordered to do so and then took off running.

While Lahar was chasing him, Clarke pulled a handgun from his sweatshirt pocket. Still running, he threw the weapon in the area of Lander and Third streets. Lahar stayed with the gun and other officers, who responded, continued chase with Sgt. Frank Labrada tackling and arresting him.

The handgun, recovered by police, was a FIE model 28 .25 al. semi-automatic pistol

Clarke identified himself as someone else when questioned, but his true identity was learned and it was found that he is currently wanted on a Newburgh City Court bench warrant for assault in the third degree, is on parole, and is wanted on a parole warrant for violating conditions of that parole.

Clarke was also charged with resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration in the second degree, assault in the third degree and violation of parole.