A Man kidnapped a child and crashed the car after a wild chase

Schuyler County, New York — According to police, a Chemung County man kidnapped a child and led police on a high-speed chase on Tuesday.

A 35-year-old Richard R. Somers II, of Elmira Heights allegedly kidnapped the child in Chemung County around 12:35 p.m.

According to police, about 10 minutes later, police officers stopped his vehicle in Watkins Glen but Somers was uncooperative. While officers were trying to remove the child from the vehicle, Somers fled, nearly hitting an officer with his car.

Police say Somers drove through Schuyler County in excess of 100 mph and then into Yates County. Members of the Schuyler County Sheriff’s office, Yates County Sheriff’s office, and New York State Police joined in the chase, which lasted nearly 20 miles.

Somers eventually lost control and went off the road into a ditch after Yates County deputy put down stop sticks on State Route 14 and. The child had minor injuries but was transported to the hospital for evaluation.

According to the police, Somers has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child, second-degree obstructing governmental administration, reckless driving, third-degree unlawful fleeing of a police officer in a motor vehicle, and speeding.