DELMAR — Bethlehem police arrested the man it alleged left a trail of damage at Four Corners two weeks ago.
Mark A. Boucher, 29, or Rensselaer, was arrested Wednesday, Nov. 17 on a litany of charges stemming from a motor vehicle accident that smashed storefronts, safety barriers and lamp posts along Kenwood Avenue on Saturday evening, Nov. 7.
The accident occurred at approximately 6:14 p.m. that Saturday evening. That’s when Bethlehem police received several 911 calls reporting a red Jeep Cherokee had struck another vehicle at the intersection of Delaware and Kenwood avenues.
Bethlehem police said Boucher took a right turn on Kenwood Avenue from Delaware Avenue when he veered off and went off the roadway. The car proceeded to knock down light posts, uproot several chained barriers and sideswiped two storefronts. Boucher allegedly struck another vehicle, a white pickup truck, before leaving the scene. Pictures shared to Spotlight by one witness showed a jeep parked behind Peter Harris Clothes with the chained barriers still wrapped around it.
The original press release stated Boucher had allegedly fled on foot, disappearing near the First United Methodist Church of Delmar. Though Bethlehem police arrived with Albany County Sheriff’s K9 unit, the suspect could not be found.
The accident’s timing had several residents concerned it related to the Associated Press announced Democrat Joe Biden winner of a contentious race against President Donald Trump.
“The Bethlehem Police Department is aware of some social media posts that indicated the Jeep had political markings on it at the time of the incident,” stated Bethlehem police. “This information has been proven to be false based on witness statements and scene evaluation.”
Police charged Boucher with several driving violations, including four misdemeanors for reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, reckless driving and leaving the scene of a property damage accident. He was arraigned in Bethlehem town court and later released to appear again on Tuesday, Dec. 15.