After leading authorities on a vehicle chase that exceeded 100 m.p.h. earlier this week, a Poughkeepsie man is now facing two felony charges.
Jared W. Bates, 23, was charged in Independence County Circuit Court Tuesday with fleeing, a Class D felony, and possession of firearms by certain persons, a Class B felony. Bates is also being charged as a habitual offender having previously been convicted of four or more felonies. A Class D felony is punishable by up to six years in prison and a fine of $10,000 or both. A Class B felony is punishable by not less than five nor more than twenty years and fine of not more than $15,000 or both.
Bates is currently in custody with a bail in the sum of $20,000.
In court documents, Independence County Sheriff’s Deputy John Marlowe noted he was on patrol in the northern part of the county early Monday morning, June 18, and observed a traffic offense made by a person driving a black Jeep. After he activated his patrol lights, the deputy observed the Jeep enter a parking lot, but then began to accelerate and enter Hwy. 167 N. Marlowe observed an item being thrown out the driver’s side window and directed other patrol units to where the item was discarded.
During the pursuit, Marlowe noted the driver of the Jeep would abruptly slam on the brakes several times in an apparent effort to cause a collision.
The Jeep continued northbound until it began to smoke and appeared to become disabled. The vehicle pulled to the side of the roadway when Marlowe ordered the driver and three passengers out of the Jeep.
The driver had on his person a driver’s license that was not his own and used the license to falsely claim he was another person, according to Marlowe. The driver eventually admitted to being Jared Bates.
After authorities recovered the object that was thrown from the window of the Jeep, it was discovered to be a Norinco SKS rifle. Bates admitted he had thrown the rifle from the vehicle because as a felon, he could not possess a firearm, court documents note.
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