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Sinclairville Couple Charged After Saturday Chase

A Sinclairville, N.Y., couple are behind bars after a high-speed chase resulted in a crash in Conewango Township on Saturday evening.

Nathan A. Klein, 45, and Rebekah F. Klein, 29, were charged by Warren-based Pennsylvania State Police.

Troopers say 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 towards Dollar General and then towards 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.

The affidavit alleges that Nathan Klein refused both a blood sample and evaluation by a drug recognition expert.

An officer with the Conewango Police provided additional details in the affidavit.

“I observed (Klein) constantly moving his legs shaking, he would not stop talking even when no other person was around, including reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to an empty room.”

The officer observed Klein appear to “hallucinate about being a holy prophet and that law enforcement couldn’t have his ‘royal blood.'”

Both defendants face a litany of criminal charges.

Nathan Klein faces a total of 40 offenses – nine counts of aggravated assault, six counts of endangering the welfare of children, two counts of fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, three counts of aggravated assault by DUI, obstructing the administration of law, three counts of resisting arrest, DUI, criminal mischief and 14 traffic offenses.

Rebekah Klein faces 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.

Both are being held in the county jail on bail of $200,000 and $150,000, respectively. Preliminary hearings are scheduled for today.

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