By Andrew Amelinckx
Daily Mail
April 6, 2011
http://www.thedailymail.net/articles/2011/04/06/news/doc4d9bed69220ce359934466.txt
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| Father Francis G. McCloskey, charged with leading police on a chase, has not been arraigned and the investigation remains open. |
LIVINGSTON — A 71-year-old retired Catholic priest affiliated with an anti-abortion group remains in jail following a police pursuit Monday afternoon. The "low speed chase" lasted for about 10 minutes and ended with the arrest of Father Francis G. McCloskey in Livingston about five miles from where the pursuit began, said authorities.
According to New York State Police Capt. Scott Brown, the chase began when an employee of the Hudson Enterprise Rent-A-Car spotted a black Dodge Avenger with Michigan plates, a car that he allegedly recognized as having never been returned to the rental car business.
"He was following the Dodge at a short distance," said Brown, "and called 911."
State Trooper Matthew Colwell responded to the call and began pursuing McCloskey. He was soon joined by other troopers and the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.
McCloskey pulled over twice, said Brown, but when approached by troopers took off again.
"He knew he was being pursued and chose not to stop," said Brown.
According to the captain, the chase never exceeded 55 miles per hour.
"The troopers did a rolling road block and were able to stop the driver," said Brown. "He was taken into custody without further incident."
The chase ended on County Route 31 just north of County Route 10, according to authorities.
No one was hurt and no vehicles were damaged, said Brown.
When apprehended McCloskey "seemed dumbfounded" said Brown and was somewhat incoherent.
"He told the troopers he was late for a meeting," said the captain.
McCloskey was wearing his clerical collar, according to Brown, and identified himself as a priest.
The Purling, Greene County, resident was charged with third-degree fleeing an officer in a motor vehicle, a class A misdemeanor, and reckless driving.
McCloskey had two warrants out for his arrest, one from Hudson, issued March 14, was related to the Dodge he was allegedly driving.
Hudson Police Lt. Richard Paolino said the warrant was for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
"He hasn't been arraigned on those charges yet," said Paolino. "It's still an open investigation."
Paolino said the case was initiated when someone from Enterprise called to report that a vehicle hadn't been returned for several weeks.
The other outstanding warrant is out of the town of Clay, in Onondaga County, for similar charges to those McCloskey received Monday, including failure to obey a police officer and parking on pavement.
Arraigned on the State Police charges in Greenport Town Court before Judge Francis Abitabile, McCloskey was remanded to jail in lieu of $1,000 cash or $2,000 bail bond pending further court action. McCloskey remained incarcerated as of press time.
McCloskey may be represented by the county Public Defender's Office, but is currently without representation.
It was unclear whether McCloskey's mental health had or would be evaluated.
McCloskey is the former pastor of St. Bridget Parish in Copake Falls, according to Kenneth Goldfarb, the spokesman for the Albany Diocese.
The parish has since been joined with another, said Goldfarb.
He called the situation with McCloskey "gravely unfortunate."
"We're concerned about him," said Goldfarb. "We will do all that we can help him take care of this matter."
Goldfarb said that while McCloskey is retired, he still "performs priestly ministrations" for "charismatic organizations."
One of those groups is "Oh, Saratoga" an anti-abortion organization.
McCloskey, writing in 2003, stated that he was "going to give up" his "comfort zone in the face of pogroms, holocausts, blood purges and massive abortion violence" and "risk everything to grasp Truth as the prize" in order to "save the next mother and child."
He went on to state that "Planned Parenthood murders children and grandchildren" and "like an insatiable monster" then "pursues survivor children into the neighborhood schools to corrupt them."
To reach reporter Andrew Amelinckx call 518-828-1616, ext. 2267 or e-mail aamelinckx@registerstar.com.
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