UPDATED: POLICE CHASE THROUGH REPORTER'S BACKYARD ENDS IN SUSPECT'S CAPTURE
CALM OF BEAUTIFUL FALL DAY BROKEN IN DOWNTOWN MALONE, NY
A man led police on a wild chase through Malone, New York, including this reporter’s backyard on Friday. Photo credit: JB Nicholas.
Malone, New York Sept. 19, 2025 Updated: 4:57 PM.
A suspect led police on a wild chase down streets and through backyards under a perfect, blue sky in Malone Friday afternoon, before barging into a stranger's living room, where he was finally captured.
At one point, police watched from the shore as the suspect swam across the Salmon River.
"We were sitting in the living room and all of a sudden my door flies open," the resident told police.
The suspect even ran through this reporter's backyard, where my step-son and I were picking vegetables in anticipation of the first frost forecast for Friday night.
"He tumbled down the hill next to the garden. At first, I thought he was the neighbor. But when he stood up I saw he looked cracked-out," Thomas Nesbitt, 19, said.
"I asked if he was OK. Three times. He didn't respond and went back into the woods," Nesbitt added. "Then the cop came chasing him, casually."
Police followed the suspect through woods between Duane Street and College Avenue. That's when he dove into the Salmon River, swam across to the other side and opened the door to the first floor apartment at 93 Catherine Street.
A squad of officers from the State Police, Franklin County Sheriff's Office and Malone Village joined the chase and raced into the apartment after the suspect.
Outside on the street, police asked the resident of that apartment if they knew the man hiding out in their home.
"No I don't," the resident added.
Moments later, the State Trooper who captured the suspect led him outside to Malone police.
"Ha ha you didn't shoot me this time," the suspect, 42-year-old Michael Terry joked with police. "I was just swimming guys."
Terry’s grey tanktop was shredded and his flesh bloody from running through the woods. He had on black sweatpants with red-and-black Air Jordan sneakers.
Terry was charged with burglary in the second degree for entering the house, resisting arrest and criminal mischief in the third degree. He is being held at the Franklin County jail, public records show.
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