On December 12th, 2015 the Village of Liberty Police Department arrested Donald Houghtaling, 29, of Liberty after an investigation into a burglary on Main Street. Liberty Police were called around 10:00 p.m. for a report of a burglary in progress to an auto body shop on North Main Street.

As officers arrived on scene, they observed a suspicious vehicle leaving the scene of the burglary. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle which then fled from officers. The vehicle fled from officers in a reckless manner, forcing multiple other drivers off of the roadway. Eventually officers were able to stop the vehicle and took the operator, Houghtaling, into custody.

Subsequent investigation revealed that Houghtaling had broken into the closed auto body shop, damaged property in and around the business, and then stole a vehicle from the shop. Further investigation revealed that Houghtaling was operating the stolen vehicle while in an intoxicated state.

Houghtaling was charged with burglary in the 3rd degree, criminal mischief in the 2nd degree, and grand larceny in the 3rd degree, all felonies, reckless driving, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the 3rd degree, driving while intoxicated, all misdemeanors and several infractions of the vehicle and traffic law including speeding and failing to use designated lane. Houghtaling was arraigned in the Town of Liberty Court and remanded to Sullivan County Jail without bail pending further court appearance.