PRESS RELEASE (ARREST)
DATE OF ARREST: October 24th, 2023
LOCATION OF ARREST: Park Drive
NAME AND ADDRESS OF ARRESTEE(S):
Kevin M. Fontanez AGE: 30
Schenectady, NY
NAME AND CLASSIFICATION OF CHARGES (F/M/V):
1. Reckless Endangerment 2nd ( A-Misdemeanor)
2. Resisting Arrest (A-Misdemeanor)
3. Obstructing Governmental Administration (A-Misdemeanor)
4. Unlawfully Fleeing a Police Officer (A-Misdemeanor)
5. Reckless Driving Vehicle and Traffic Law Misdemeanor
ARRAIGNMENT/BAIL STATUS: Fontanez was processed and released on the above charges as well as numerous uniformed traffic tickets for violations all returnable to Amsterdam City Court at a later date. His ATV was seized as evidence.
INCIDENT NARRATIVE: On Tuesday October 24th at approximately 5:33 p.m. members of the Amsterdam Police patrol division were on a directed patrol in the area of East Main Street to be on the lookout for reckless operation of ATV’s and dirt bikes in the roadway. Residents of East Main Street in the area of Elk, Kline and Swan Streets had previously reported an unsafe condition being created by a group of ATV’s and dirt bike’s being routinely operated on the roadway in a reckless fashion. While on patrol officers observed a group of 5 ATV’s in the roadway in the area of Swan Street. As officers attempted to stop the operator’s they fled the area. One of the operators was ultimately located and interviewed. During that interview another ATV’ was observed traveling recklessly on Kline Street towards the position of the officers who were in the street on foot outside their patrol vehicle. The ATVoperator now identified as Fontanez ignored their commands to stop and did continue to operate toward the officers at a high rate of speed forcing the officers out of the way. Additional officers arrived to the area and began setting up a perimeter. Patrol units were able to follow and observe the suspect who traveled near the railroad tracks between Front Street and Quist Road where he was no longer able to operate his ATV and did then surrender to police who had set up a perimeter around him.
While there was probable cause for this arrest, all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
