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After a five-year pursuit, Benjamin Chapman is finally in custody at the Ulster County Jail, facing charges for assaulting a police officer. The incident dates back to March 30, 2021, when a Town of Ulster police officer attempted a traffic stop on Chapman's vehicle. Chapman, who had an outstanding warrant from the City of Kingston Police Department, sped off, dragging the officer and causing injuries, according to Mid Hudson News.
Chapman evaded local authorities for several days before fleeing to another state. The U.S. Marshals NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force joined the search, and on October 16, 2024, Michigan law enforcement stopped a vehicle with Chapman as a passenger. He fled on foot into a nearby residence but was arrested and charged with federal weapons violations, as reported by the Daily Freeman.
After serving time in a federal prison in West Virginia, Chapman was extradited back to New York on April 15, 2026. He now faces a felony second-degree assault charge for the 2021 incident and is being held without bail. The Ulster Town Police, Kingston City Police, U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, NY/NJ Port Authority, and Ulster County District Attorney’s Office collaborated in the investigation and arrest, as noted by the Shawangunk Journal.