SULLIVAN COUNTY — On Saturday December 8, 2018 at approximately 3:47 AM, Deputy Matthew Bisland and Deputy John Panos were on patrol on State Route 17 in Monticello when they clocked a 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue traveling westbound at 85 miles per hour in a 55 zone. When they attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver quickly got off the highway at exit 105 and proceeded at a high rate of speed northbound on State Route 42 towards Fallsburg. Deputies followed the vehicle until it ran off the road and crashed on State Route 42 just before the Heiden Road intersection near Alpine Acres.

Taken into custody at the scene were Michael Leto, 28, of Hauppauge, NY and Courtney Rauch, 30, of Sag Harbor, NY. Both were transported to Catskill Regional Medical Center to be treated for injuries sustained in the crash. The vehicle they were operating was reported stolen from a gas station in North Babylon, Long Island at about 5:30 PM Friday night. Deputies learned from the Suffolk County Police that the owner was inside of the gas station playing a scratch off lottery game and had left his vehicle at the curb with the engine running. Sheriff's Deputies determined that the driver Michael Leto, who initially gave a false name, was wanted on a parole warrant. He had served a state prison sentence for Robbery 1st degree and knew that authorities were looking for him on Long Island. The pair told deputies that they were fleeing upstate.

Courtney Rauch was treated and released from the hospital. She was charged with Felony Criminal Possession of Stolen Property and arraigned Saturday before Judge Kirk Orseck in the Town of Liberty Court. Rauch was sent to the Sullivan County jail in lieu of $5000 bail.

Michael Leto was held overnight in the hospital for observation and released Sunday morning. He was charged with the Felonies of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, Reckless Endangerment and the Misdemeanors of Unlawfully Fleeing a Police Officer, Obstructing Governmental Administration and Criminal Personation as well as numerous vehicle and traffic violations. Leto was arraigned before Judge Marty Miller in the Town of Thompson Court and sent to the Sullivan County Jail without bail.

Both suspects are due back in the Thompson Town Court Monday evening at 5:00 PM.

Sheriff Mike Schiff said that while most of Sullivan County was asleep at four o'clock Saturday morning, his deputies were on patrol, putting their lives on the line to protect the public. "They did an incredible job", said the Sheriff.

The Sheriff's Office was assisted at the scene by Fallsburg Police and Fire Departments, State Troopers, the Monticello Fire Department and Mobile Medic Ambulance.