UPDATE Burglary Suspect Arrested After Firing at Deputies

As a result of the ongoing investigation into the incidents involving James  Hartley, age 38, of Ashland, N.Y. that ended in the early morning hours of  December 29th, Hartley was formally charged today with (2) counts of Attempted  Murder of a Police Officer in the First degree, a Class A-II Felony, (1) count of  Burglary in the Second Degree with a Deadly Weapon, a Class C Felony, (1) count  of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, and (1) count of Criminal  Possession of a Forged Instrument in the First Degree. 

Deputies who had been  searching for Hartley in regards to an unrelated Burglary, had observed footprints  in the snow leading to a vacant residence. It is alleged that Hartley fired several  rounds from a 30-30 caliber rifle at Deputies who were approaching the  residence. 

As Deputies took cover and were waiting for assistance, Hartley exited  the residence unarmed and was taken into custody. A search warrant was  subsequently executed at the residence which resulted in the recovery of the  aforementioned rifle. At the time of his arrest, Hartley was also found in  possession of a quantity of forged U.S. currency. 

Hartley was arraigned in the  Town of Catskill Court by Judge Jacobs and remanded back to the Greene County  Jail without bail pending further court appearances. The Sheriff’s Office was  assisted by The State Police, The Greene County District Attorney’s Office, and  Greene County Probation.