4-state crime spree ends in Columbia County - Albany Times Union

Photo: State Police

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Jonathan Kimball, 31

Photo: State Police

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Steven P. Nance, 46

Photo: State Police

CANAAN — A Tuesday car crash and manhunt in Columbia County ended a crime spree in four states, State Police said.

Around 1:30 a.m., a caller to 911 reported a three-car crash near the intersection of Routes 22 and 295 in Canaan, State Police said.

Troopers arrived to find that one of the cars involved — a 2011 Ford F-550 tow truck — was stolen from Barnsville, Pa., and the pit bull left inside had been taken from its owner in Montgomery, Ala., State Police said. The driver and passenger were nowhere in sight.

A preliminary investigation determined that 31-year-old Jonathan Kimball was driving north on Route 22 in the stolen tow truck when he ran a red light and hit a 2008 Chevrolet Blazer, State Police said. No one was injured.

After the crash, Kimball allegedly tried to flee by reversing the tow truck but hit a car parked in the Bar-Ken repair shop lot, troopers said. That's when he and his passenger, 46-year-old Steven P. Nance, took off running, State Police said. Nance was arrested nearby.

As troopers scoured the area for Kimball, they received reports that another car had been stolen nearby and later ditched in Pittsfield, Mass., State Police said.

Eleven hours after the crash, at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, someone called the State Police to report that a suspicious person fitting Kimball's description had returned to the scene of the collision, troopers said.

Patrol cars, a helicopter and police dogs were sent to find him. About five hours later, Kimball was found walking down Route 22 and arrested, State Police said.

Kimball and Nance are charged with felony criminal possession of stolen property. Kimball is also charged with felony grand larceny.

Nance was arraigned in Canaan Town Court and taken to the Columbia County jail in lieu of $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond. Kimball was arraigned in Claverack Town Court and taken to the county jail in lieu of $10,000 cash bail or $25,000 bond.

Troopers in New York are coordinating with investigators in Alabama, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.

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