Sheriff: Putnam Teen in BMW Did Route 22 Donuts, Fled Deputy at 130MPH

An 18-year-old drove donuts on Route 22 and then fled from a Putnam County Sheriff's Office deputy only to be arrested by the same officer three weeks later, according to a press release from the department.

Thomas P. Maloney of Southeast faces multiple misdemeanor charges in connection with the traffic incidents.

Authorities say Maloney was driving a white BMW in donuts on Jan. 21 at 1AM when Deputy Sheriff Kevin Radovich, who was on patrol at the time, saw him. The officer pursued Maloney, who allegedly increased his speed to 75 miles per hour in a 45-mile-per-hour zone, turning onto Doansburg Road. Radovich discontinued the chase when Maloney increased his speed to 130 miles per hour in a 30-mile-per-hour zone. Radovich provided the vehicle's description to neighboring police departments.

Less than two weeks later, Maloney was in handcuffs after New York State Police received reports of a white BMW performing donuts on Route 22 at Doansburg Road. Maloney was taken into custody on Jan. 30 and charged with marijuana possession.

During the arrest, Maloney told troopers about the previous incident involving a Putnam County Sheriff's Department officer. The New York State Police forwarded a photo of Maloney's BMW to Radovich, who identified it as the car he had chased the week before.

Maloney was then additionally charged with reckless driving, unlawfully fleeing an officer and reckless endangerment, all misdemeanors, in connection with the Jan. 21 incident.

On Monday at 1:30AM, Radovich was again on patrol on Route 22 in the Doansburg Road area when he spotted a white BMW with no license plate and unauthorized colored lights. The car sped up to 120 miles per hour in a 55-mile-per-hour zone before stopping.

Who did the deputy find in the driver seat when the car finally pulled over on Route 22 north of Ballyhack Road? None other than Thomas Maloney, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office press release said.

Maloney had four teenage passengers in the car at the time of the stop.

Maloney was charged with reckless driving and four counts of reckless endangerment, all misdemeanors, as well as various traffic infractions.

If convicted, Maloney could face a $1,000 fine and a year in jail for each offense.