'Emotionally disturbed' man apprehended on Thruway after police chase

State police closed a 23-mile stretch of the New York state Thruway in Genesee County for several hours Monday afternoon for what was described as "police activity."

The Thruway's reopening was announced in an email from the Genesee County Sheriff's Office shortly after 6 p.m.

Trooper Michael Cassella said State Police were not investigating a crash, but were handling "an ongoing investigation." Cassella said the situation, for which he did not provide details, began around 1:15 p.m.

Troopers later said they were called to the highway in Stafford after being alerted to be on the lookout for "an emotionally disturbed person" driving a sport utility vehicle near Stafford.

Troopers located the vehicle and driver, who refused to pull over when troopers attempted to stop him, according to State Police.

"After a short police pursuit and lengthy negotiations," the man surrendered and was taken into custody, troopers said. The man was taken to an area hospital for evaluation. No injuries reported.

The Thruway was closed in both directions between Exit 47 in Le Roy and Exit 48A in Pembroke. Both exits are in Genesee County.