Schenectady Man Charged After Police Pursuit With Children in Vehicle

A Schenectady man is facing multiple criminal charges after New York State Police say he led troopers on a brief vehicle pursuit while three children were passengers in the vehicle. Authorities allege the driver attempted to evade law enforcement before being taken into custody in Colonie on May 29. The case has raised concerns about the risks created when children are present during dangerous driving incidents.

What Happened?

According to the New York State Police, troopers arrested 36-year-old Robert J. Tighe of Schenectady following what officials described as a brief pursuit. The incident occurred in the Town of Colonie and resulted in several criminal charges.

Police records indicate that Tighe was charged with:

• Reckless Driving
• Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the Second Degree
• Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree
• Three counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child

Authorities stated that three children were inside the vehicle during the pursuit, leading to the additional child endangerment charges.

Why the Child Endangerment Charges Matter

Under New York law, endangering the welfare of a child can be charged when an adult knowingly acts in a way that is likely to harm a child’s physical, mental, or moral well-being.

In this case, investigators allege that the driver’s actions during the pursuit placed the children at risk. While police have not reported injuries, prosecutors often treat cases involving minors in moving vehicles during pursuits as especially serious due to the potential for crashes or other dangerous outcomes.

The Risks of Police Pursuits

Traffic safety experts have long warned about the dangers associated with vehicle pursuits. Even short pursuits can create hazards for:

• Vehicle occupants
• Other motorists
• Pedestrians
• Responding officers

When children are present, those concerns become even more significant because minors have no control over the decisions being made by the driver.

Charges Filed Against the Suspect

The charges announced by State Police include both traffic-related and criminal offenses.

Reckless Driving

Reckless driving is a misdemeanor offense in New York and generally involves operating a vehicle in a manner that unreasonably interferes with the safe use of public roads.

Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer

Police allege the suspect failed to stop after law enforcement attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The unlawful fleeing charge reflects allegations that the driver intentionally attempted to evade police.

Aggravated Unlicensed Operation

Authorities also charged Tighe with aggravated unlicensed operation, indicating that his driving privileges were allegedly suspended while he was operating the vehicle.

Endangering the Welfare of a Child

Three separate child endangerment charges were filed, corresponding to the three children reportedly inside the vehicle.

What Happens Next?

State Police reported that Tighe was arrested and processed following the incident. Court proceedings will determine whether prosecutors can prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt. As with all criminal cases, the charges are accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Public Safety Reminder

Law enforcement agencies across New York routinely emphasize that motorists should comply with traffic stops and avoid actions that could escalate into vehicle pursuits. Even brief attempts to flee can lead to criminal charges and create significant safety risks for everyone on the roadway.

When children are involved, the consequences can become even more severe, both legally and in terms of potential harm.

The arrest serves as another reminder of how quickly a traffic stop can become a public safety issue when drivers choose not to comply with police instructions.

As the case moves through the court system, additional details may emerge regarding the circumstances that led to the pursuit and the charges now facing the defendant.

Sources

• New York State Police Newsroom
• New York State Police Public Information Report, May 29, 2026.