Woodridge resident Benjamin Odom, age 46, was arrested on Wednesday, Sept. 2, following investigations into several incidents at a residence in the village, according to Fallsburg Police.
The first incident happened on Saturday, Aug. 29, when officers responded to the home for a reported domestic incident. A woman told police that Odom, her husband, had shown up at the residence despite a stay-away order of protection. He allegedly forced his way inside and swung a baseball bat at another person in the home, police said.
Odom ran away before officers arrived, and charges were filed against him, according to police.
Days later, during the early morning hours of Sept. 2, officers returned to the same residence for a reported structure fire. Fallsburg detectives began an arson investigation because authorities suspected the fire may have been intentionally set. K9 units from the Sullivan and Orange County Sheriff's Offices helped at the scene.
Later that afternoon, police learned that Odom was driving a white Volkswagen near Route 42 and Brickman Road in Fallsburg. Officers found the vehicle in the Village of Woodridge and tried to pull Odom over, but he drove off, leading police on a lengthy pursuit, according to the department.
The chase ended after Odom drove through a locked, gated area on River Road and became trapped inside a fenced-in area, police said. He was then taken into custody.
Investigators later found the Volkswagen had been stolen out of Rock Hill, according to police. Odom also had an active bench warrant issued by Sullivan County Court.
Following more investigation into the incidents, Odom was charged with first-degree burglary, third-degree burglary, third-degree arson, third-degree criminal mischief, and two counts of first-degree criminal contempt, along with misdemeanor reckless driving and third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, police said.
Odom was arraigned in Fallsburg Justice Court before Judge Kaminski and remanded to Sullivan County Jail. He is due back in court at a later date.
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