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Officers from the Port Jervis Police Department were dispatched to the TD Bank branch location on East Main Street at approximately 4:45 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15, where there was a report of a robbery in progress.
The suspect - later identified as Jeffersonville resident Joseph Hernandez, 35, a parolee - was initially described as a white male wearing a black hat, sunglasses and a black jacket, who entered the bank and confronted a teller demanding money. After stealing a quantity undisclosed amount of cash, Hernandez fled the scene on foot and fled in a motor vehicle before police arrived.
Officers from Port Jervis, Deerpark and state police troopers responded to the scene. A canvas of the area led police to Hernandez, who was spotted at a checkpoint established on Route 97/42 between Sparrowbush and Port Jervis.
According to police, Hernandez was positively identified at the checkpoint, which led him to flee in his vehicle, taking officers on a two-mile chase before crashing into a Port Jervis Police car. Hernandez was taken into custody on Route 42 in Sparrowbush.
Police said that Hernandez is currently on New York State Parole supervision after being released from prison on Feb. 1.
Hernandez was arrested and charged with robbery, criminal possession of stolen property, attempted assault, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief, all felonies. He was also charged with a misdemeanor count of endangering the welfare of a child and multiple vehicle and traffic law offenses in Port Jervis and Deerpark.
Following arraignment on Friday morning, Hernandez was remanded to the Orange County Jail without bail. He is due back in court later this year to answer the charges.
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