New York woman pleads guilty to chase-related charges
A Sinclairville, N.Y., woman who was the passenger involved in a high-speed chase in October 2024 has pleaded guilty to four of the charges against her.
Rebekah F. Klein, 29, was charged in October with four counts of aggravated assault, two counts of simple assault, three counts of recklessly endangering another person, obstructing the administration of law, two counts of resisting arrest, three counts of corruption of minors and two counts of disorderly conduct.
She pleaded guilty on Thursday in front of Judge Gregory Hammond to a charge of one count of second-degree felony aggravated assault, one count of recklessly endangering another person, obstructing administration of law or other government and resisting arrest. The rest of the charges against her were not prosecuted.
Troopers said in the affidavit of probable cause that they were dispatched to the area of Route 62 “to assist Chautauqua County Sheriff’s office with stopping a gray Subaru Forester” at 6:45 p.m.
The report indicated that the operator of that vehicle, Nathan A. Klein, had allegedly “assaulted a Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Deputy.” Multiple troopers encountered the vehicle in the area of Walmart and attempted to stop the vehicle, which, per the affidavit, “continued into the parking lot area at low speeds and failed to stop,” driving toward Dollar General and then toward Taco Bell.
Troopers “attempted blocking it in but the vehicle drove over the median” and then back north on Market Street.
Police then attempted what’s called a “PIT maneuver,” making contact with the rear of the vehicle “to safely terminate the dispute” but that was not successful and the pursuit continued to the area near the Conewango Valley Country Club.
There, police attempted to get in front of the vehicle to cause a “rolling roadblock.” While police were attempting the pass, “it swerved into” a patrol car “causing the vehicle to violently crash.”
Speeds over 90 miles per hour were allegedly observed during the phase of the chase.
Troopers say that Nathan Klein was found in the driver’s seat of the vehicle and allegedly “actively resisted complying with instructions.” Police then tased Klein and he was taken into custody without further incident.
Police also sought to open the passenger door and, when they did, they were allegedly attacked “with a wooden sword” by a woman identified as Rebekah F. Klein. Police claim she also attempted to kick officers and required a taser to be taken into custody.
The criminal complaint states that there were three children in the vehicle during the incident.