NEW ROCHELLE, NY (February 3, 2024) — A New Rochelle man is facing multiple criminal charges in New Rochelle and Eastchester following a series of police pursuits covering two days, two counties and numerous municipalities.
On February 1st, 2024, during the overnight hours New Rochelle Detectives attempted to
conduct a vehicle stop on a suspicious vehicle which immediately fled at a high rate of speed.
Detectives quickly terminated but began an investigation into the vehicle. Later that day at
about 10:00 am, the vehicle was observed on Main Street near Memorial Highway stuck in minor traffic. Officers on scene directing traffic approached the vehicle and attempted speak to the driver and initiate another traffic stop. The driver refused to communicate and intentionally drove over a sidewalk, causing officers to jump out of the way of the moving vehicle. No pedestrians were present at that moment. The vehicle fled New Rochelle into surrounding jurisdictions including Eastchester, Pelham, and Scarsdale.
While in Eastchester, the vehicle nearly ran over a local police officer attempting to stop it. The vehicle then fled to Rockland County by means of the Mario Cuomo Bridge.
At approximately 11:10 a.m. the Eastchester Police Department was notified by the Westchester County Real Time Crime Center of a wanted vehicle that entered Eastchester.
With updates from the RTC, EPD officers were able to locate the suspect vehicle and follow it on White Plains Road. Officers initiated a traffic stop of the vehicle at which time the driver, who had stopped, accelerated towards one of our officers in the only passable lane of travel. This forced the officer to jump out of the way of the oncoming vehicle, as it nearly struck him. Officers pursued the vehicle to the Bronx River Parkway. The driver fled at a high rate of speed and officers eventually lost sight of the vehicle.
New Rochelle Detectives were able to develop leads and were able to locate the vehicle
at about 10:00 pm in the Village of Pelham.
Further investigation led Detectives to locate Paul Merch, the suspect,,at Shooters bar, a local establishment in New Rochelle. Merch attempted to flee when officers converged on him but was ultimately arrested without incident.
After being booked for charges in New Rochelle, Merch was transferred to the custody of the Eastchester Police Department.
Murch was arraigned in Eastchester Town Court then transported to the Westchester County Jail.
The suspect also has extraditable warrants out of New Jersey for charges including
Assault and Eluding Police.
Arrest & Charges:
Paul Merch, 28, of New Rochelle, NY.
New Rochelle
- Reckless Endangerment 2, an A Misdemeanor
- Obstruction of Governmental Administration 2, an A Misdemeanor
Eastchester
- Attempted Assault – 1, a C Felony
- Attempted Aggravated Assault of a Police Officer, a C Felony.