On April 10, 2026, at approximately 4:09 a.m., New York State Police in Brewster attempted to stop a vehicle traveling northbound on Interstate 684 in the Town of Southeast that had been reported stolen. The vehicle had been broadcast by Westchester Real Time Crime (RTC) prior to the stop.
The vehicle, a 2018 Nissan, failed to comply, and a pursuit was initiated. A second New York State Police unit observed the vehicle and successfully deployed a stinger device on Interstate 84 eastbound near mile marker 70, disabling it. Three occupants then fled the vehicle on foot.
The operator, identified as Isaias M. Mendez, 24, of Wethersfield, Connecticut, and a passenger, Dwayne A. Graham, 24, of Broad Brook, Connecticut, were taken into custody shortly after fleeing. A third occupant, described as a Hispanic male in his 20s, was not located.
Mendez and Graham were transported to State Police Brewster for processing.
Mendez was charged with:
- Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 3rd, a class D felony
- Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle 3rd, a class A misdemeanor
- Reckless Endangerment, class A misdemeanor
- Resisting Arrest, class A misdemeanor
- Obstructing Governmental Administration 2nd, class A misdemeanor
- Reckless Driving, an unclassified misdemeanor
Graham was charged with:
- Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 3rd, class D felony
- Obstructing Governmental Administration 2nd, class A misdemeanor
- Resisting Arrest, class A misdemeanor
Mendez and Graham were arraigned in the Town of Southeast Court and remanded to the Putnam County Jail. Both are scheduled to return to court on May 5, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the New York State Police at (845) 677-7300 and reference case number NY2600471070.
