On February 15^th, 2021 at approximately 08:00 am Watervliet Police Officers received a report for a stolen vehicle. The victim reported they parked their vehicle in the driveway and when they returned the vehicle was gone. At approximately 08:30 am, Watervliet PD received a call from the victim stating they located the vehicle and it was being operated by an unknown male traveling south bound on Broadway in Watervliet. The caller followed the stolen vehicle while awaiting police to arrive. During this time, the thief became aware he was being followed and began driving erratically. At one point the suspect allegedly drove the stolen vehicle onto a sidewalk, knocking over a city fire hydrant, and then later drove off-road through a city park. A short while later, the suspect crashed and fled on foot from the caller.

Watervliet Police Officers arrived on scene of the crash site and established a perimeter. After a short search, WPD officers located the suspect hiding in a backyard.

The suspect was identified as Craig S. Becker Jr Age 36 of Troy, NY. Becker is a New York State parole absconder and in days prior to this incident, it is alleged that Becker had intentionally removed his GPS tracking device from his ankle and was attempting to flee the area.  Becker was charged with Grand Larceny 4^th and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 4^th, both class E felonies, Reckless Endangerment 2^nd and Criminal Mischief 4^th, both class A misdemeanors, Reckless Driving which is an unclassified misdemeanor, and other vehicle and traffic law offenses.

Becker was arraigned by the Honorable Judge Lamb and remanded to Albany County Correctional Facility.