CANAAN—A suspect in a Connecticut kidnapping led New York and Massachusetts State Police on a high speed chase that ended with a crash on the Thruway just after noon Memorial Day, May 31.
Eric J. Stiggle, 39, of Connecticut, was wanted by Bridgeport Police for a kidnapping that occurred May 30.
A motorist in Holyoke, Mass, spotted Mr. Stiggle and notified Holyoke Police, who initiated a pursuit.
The chase continued westbound onto the Massachusetts Turnpike, where the Massachusetts State Police became involved.
A spike strip was waiting for Mr. Stiggle on the turnpike in Lee, Mass. Both front tires on the Stiggles’ vehicle were punctured and flattened when the vehicle crossed it, State Police report.
But the chase continued into New York State where the Stiggle vehicle sideswiped two State Police vehicles.

The suspect vehicle then went out of control while trying to pass a police vehicle on the shoulder. It struck the guardrail, rolled over and came to rest in a ditch at milepost marker 19.4.
At 12:15 p.m., State Police captured Mr. Stiggle in his car, while the reported kidnapping victim escaped the vehicle and was immediately assisted by a Massachusetts state trooper.
Both Mr. Stiggle and his passenger were taken to the Albany Medical Center, where they were treated and released.
Mr. Stiggle was arraigned on charges of unlawful imprisonment, three counts of first degree reckless endangerment and being a fugitive from justice. He was sent to the Columbia County Jail without bail.
The Columbia County District Attorney’s Office is in contact with the appropriate district attorney in Connecticut to arrange to have defendant extradited to face kidnapping charges in Connecticut.
Canaan Protective Fire Company and the Chatham Rescue Squad responded to the accident.
According to a report from the scene, a New York State Police helicopter landed in a field near the crash and performed aerial surveillance and filmed the scene.
Canaan units were back in service at 1:49pm.