Police: Man wanted in Fla. charged in city

HUDSON — A Columbia County man, who city police said is a wanted felon in Florida, was taken into custody on Friday following a foot chase.

The information came to light Tuesday in a statement released by police.

Christopher Simmons, 50, of Hudson, was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped at the intersection of North 3rd and Warren streets, according to Hudson Police Chief L. Edward Moore.

As Hudson police officers Randy Strattman and Jessica Mausolf approached the vehicle, Simmons bolted from the car and fled the scene on foot, police said.

Hudson police received a call from a resident on the 200 block of Columbia Street soon after the vehicle was stopped, police said. The caller reported a person had just forced open their back door and was hiding in their apartment.

When officers arrived at the residence, they found Simmons hiding in the basement and took him into custody without further incident, according to police.

“[Officers] Mausolf and Strattman, as well as their sergeant, [Nick] Hodges, wrapped this up quickly to ensure public safety,” Moore said Tuesday in a statement. “I also commend our communication specialist, Joann Jubie, who kept her cool and professionally managed this fluid and potentially dangerous situation.”

Simmons was charged with second-degree criminal impersonation, fourth-degree criminal mischief, second-degree criminal trespass and resisting arrest, all class A misdemeanors, according to police. He was also charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation.

Simmons was arraigned before Hudson City Court Judge Brian Herman and was sent to the Columbia County Jail, where he was held without bail.

Simmons is scheduled to return to city court Feb. 20, at 8:30 a.m. Simmons is expected to be returned to Florida to answer charges in Hillsborough County for felony drug and illegal gun possession charges, according to police.

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office assisted Hudson Police with the investigation.