Scary Late-Night Incident in Guilderland Leaves Neighbors Shaken

Screams for Help

It was a terrifying scene late Wednesday night in Guilderland, when multiple 911 calls came in about a woman screaming for help at the Heritage Village Apartments off Patroon Drive.

According to the report from the Guilderland Police, callers told police a man was trying to forcibly drag the woman into a vehicle while covering the mouth of a screaming child. Around 10:30 p.m., officers rushed to the scene, but before they could arrive, the suspect had taken off in his vehicle.

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Dangerous Chase Ensues with Drunk Driver

When Guilderland Police tried to pull him over, he sped off at a high rate of speed, leading officers on a dangerous chase through Albany County. One patrol car crashed during the pursuit — thankfully, the officer suffered only minor injuries and was treated at a local hospital.

A short time later, police found the suspect’s vehicle abandoned nearby. Not long after, investigators spotted a man and a 10-year-old child walking along State Farm Road.

After speaking with everyone involved, police determined that the whole incident stemmed from a domestic dispute at the apartment complex — and that the suspect had fled the scene while intoxicated with the child still in the car, the report stated.

33-Year-Old Man Taken into Custody; Then Released

The suspect, 33-year-old Angelo J. Martegarcia of Guilderland, was taken into custody and hit with a long list of charges, including:

• DWI (First Offense)
• Aggravated DWI (Leandra’s Law)
• Reckless Endangerment (1st Degree)
• Endangering the Welfare of a Child
• Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer
• Reckless Driving

Martegarcia was arraigned Thursday morning and released on his own recognizance.

Neighbors in Heritage Village say they’re still shaken after seeing flashing lights fill their quiet complex late Wednesday night — a reminder that police in our area never hesitate to run toward danger when others are running away.