A car chase turned foot chase ended with four Colonie police officers injured this morning after the suspect ditched his car after getting into an accident, according to Colonie police.
Police received a call from a resident at 39 Omega Terrace that John O. Francois, 22, who was identified as homeless by the Colonie Police Department, was allegedly at his home and trying to make his way in with a handgun. According to Colonie Police Lt. Robert Winn, Francois and the victim worked together in making music and had an ongoing dispute over the ownership of music equipment and recording material the suspect believed to be his.
“It was an ongoing business dispute over recording material the person felt belonged to him,” Winn said. “He chose to show up there with a handgun to retrieve it.”
When an officer arrived at the home, he saw a vehicle leaving the residence with a man that fit the description of the suspect driving it. According to the report, Francois refused to stop for the officer and led him on a chased that went down Interstate 87, over Interstate 90 and ended in the city of Albany after the suspect crashed into a guard rail at 609 Central Avenue. Francois did hit two marked police cars before hitting the guard rail, only causing minor damage, according to the release.
According to the release, the Francois got out of his car and fled on foot before getting brought down by police in front of 86 Hunter Ave. The chase did end up hurting four officers as Winn said they misjudged a wall they jumped down to pursue Francois.
“They’re running at a high speed during an active foot pursuit of the subject,” Winn said, adding the drop was between 4 to 6 feet high with a guard rails that could add another foot and a half. “They didn’t realize it was such a big drop.”
The officers were taken to Albany Medical Center Hospital for treatment. Those that were injured are Patrolman Patrick Germaine, with 21 years of service, suffered from an ankle and foot fracture, Patrolman Eric Gansle, a 16-year veteran, suffered a wrist and rib injury and was released, David Mink, a 4-year veteran, suffered an ankle and knee injury and was released, and Patrolman Robert Laliberte, a 22-year veteran who suffered a leg injury was released.
Francois did suffer a “very minor” cut to his lip, which he refused treatment for.
Francois has been charged with burglary in the first degree, a felony, reckless endangerment in the first degree, a felony, unlawfully fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle in the third degree, a misdemeanor, menacing in the second degree, a misdemeanor, resisting arrest, a misdemeanor and unlawfully dealing with fireworks, a violation.
According to the press release, Francois is expected to be arraigned this evening in Colonie Justice Court.
