A Bath man is facing multiple charges after police say he obstructed traffic and resisted arrest in the village last week, leaving a Bath Police Officer injured.
Authorities say the incident happened around 10 a.m. on Sept. 5 on East Morris Street, where officers with the Bath Police Department and New York State Police responded to a report of a man blocking traffic.
Officers identified the man as 39-year-old Frederick Valkenburgh of Bath. Police say he ignored several commands to leave the roadway and refused to cooperate, despite de-escalation attempts. When officers advised him that he was under arrest, Valkenburgh allegedly resisted, leading to a physical struggle.
With the help of bystanders—including an off-duty Corning Police Officer—officers were able to take Valkenburgh into custody. During the struggle, a Bath Police Officer was seriously injured and later hospitalized. The officer has since been medically cleared to return to duty.
Valkenburgh was charged with resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, obstruction of governmental administration (all misdemeanors), as well as felony assault related to the injured officer.
On Thursday, officers executed a warrant at his home, where he was taken into custody without incident. Following the arraignment, Valkenburgh was released.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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