Child sex assault suspect leads police on chase, crashes into river
Troopers spotted Craig Merlock's vehicle. He attempted to flee by driving off the end of Iris Road in the town of Goshen, resulting in a crash into the Wallkill River.
Craig Merlock, 45, of Goshen, has been arrested by the New York State Police on charges of Predatory Sexual Assault Against a Child and Promoting Obscene Sexual Performance of a Child.
On Feb. 24, State Police, in collaboration with the Town of Warwick Police Department, executed a search warrant at Merlock's residence. However, he was not present at home during the search. Subsequently, while scouring the vicinity, Troopers spotted Merlock's vehicle. He attempted to flee by driving off the end of Iris Road in the town of Goshen, resulting in a crash into the Wallkill River.
Merlock was observed exiting the vehicle before it submerged into the water.
Law enforcement officers apprehended Merlock and transported him to the hospital for medical evaluation.
Following this, he was arraigned at his hospital bed and then transferred to the custody of the Orange County Sheriff's Office. He was charged with sixcounts for both child sex abuse charges, which would indicate multiple incidents/repeat offender.
