Driver damages several vehicles, chase ends in arrest

WATKINS GLEN--Norman B. Covert, 76, was arrested and faces vehicle and criminal charges after a village police stop that resulted in three vehicles damaged and a high-speed chase that ended near the man's home in the Burdett area last Thursday, March 23.
Watkins Glen Police Sgt. Steve Decker said his village 2014 Ford SUV is likely totaled from the incident.
The details of the stop started at about 12:45 p.m. on Thursday when Covert was stopped in Watkins Glen for running a red light. Covert was driving a 2014 Dodge Avenger.
Police pulled Covert over between Sixth and Seventh Streets in front of the Watkins Glen Post Office. Decker said Covert did not exit his vehicle and forced his police car to reverse some 40 feet. At this point two other police vehicles (a county sheriff and a state police car) arrived at the location and cornered Covert's car position.
Covert then moved his car into the village police car. Covert proceeded to back his vehicle into a van behind his car. Covert pulled his car into a driving lane and hit two other vehicles in the process.
Officials say Covert then drove toward Montour Falls and continued to drive towards Burdett.
After a high-speed car chase, Covert was arrested and taken into custody near his home in Burdett. Decker said no one was injured in the vehicle stop or chase.
Covert faces several vehicle and criminal charges including criminal mischief. On Tuesday, March 28 Decker said he believed Covert was still in jail.