Drug Dealer On A Bike Trying To Get Away From Cops Rides Into The Hudson River And Drowns

Troy Police released body and dash cam footage from the officers involved in a pursuit that ended with the suspect drowning.

Police have identified the victim of Monday's drowning as 33-year-old Melquan A. Simpson, of Troy.

Footage has been released from responding Officers Dean Mahunik, who joined the Troy PD in 2020 and the second responding officer was Police Officer James Hallenbeck, who joined the Department in 2022 and has been an Officer since 2020.

According to police, both officers were conducting surveillance in the 2nd Avenue corridor near 116th Street after receiving several complaints regarding illegal drug sale/use and prostitution in the area over the past several months, leading to an increased presence in that area.

Monday, officers were observing the area for 15 minutes and said they observed Mr. Simpson, wearing a balaclava ski mask and carrying a cross-body pouch, repeatedly circling the block on his bicycle on each sidewalk.

Based on the neighborhood-provided complaints, recent similar arrests for drug sales/use in the area, observed violations of the Troy Code Ordinance and the officers’ training & experience, they decided to stop Mr. Simpson to further interview about his actions. When officers attempted to stop Mr. Simpson he fled on his bicycle, ultimately riding over an embankment into the Hudson River.

According to police, they were unaware at the time that Simpson was a parolee and was actively wanted as a Parole Absconder. Simpson also allegedly possessed cocaine carried inside the cross-body pouch he was carrying.