Sullivan County sheriff’s deputies and NY State Police apprehended a reputed gang leader after a high-speed pursuit on Route 17 Tuesday evening.

Arrested were Earnest Edwards (27), of Monticello, NY for the felonies of 1st degree robbery, 4th degree grand larceny, resisting arrest, and Tobias Brown (25), of Monticello, NY for the felony of 1st degree reckless endangerment, the misdemeanor of fleeing a police officer 3rd and numerous vehicle & traffic charges.

The pursuit began at about 5 p.m., while state police were working with Monticello Village Police, investigating a June 27 robbery in Monticello.

Surveillance teams saw Edwards riding in Brown’s SUV in the Rock Hill area, and troopers tried to stop Brown, but he failed to comply. That led to a pursuit at speeds up to 75 mph, as Brown drove east toward Middletown.

Two Sullivan County Sheriff Office Patrol Vehicles assisted in the pursuit as it entered the Town of Mamakating.  During the course of the pursuit Brown’s vehicle struck both Sheriff’s vehicles and subsequently lost control of his vehicle coming to rest in the middle lane of  Route 17 in the vicinity of exit 113.

Brown was placed under arrest by the Sullivan County Sheriff Office and taken into custody without incident. Edwards fled down an earth embankment and into a swamp located off the Southern shoulder of the roadway. He was located and taken into custody without further incident.

Thankfully, there were no injuries to any law enforcement personnel.

The highway was reopened a short while later.

(YWN Sullivan County News Team – 2009)