SCHOHARIE, N.Y. (WRGB) — ONLY ON CBS6– The man accused in a Schoharie County crime spree that ended with a stolen sheriff’s patrol vehicle and a violent crash says he was experiencing a mental health crisis that law enforcement was aware of in the days leading up to the incident.
James Phillips, 36 of Central Bridge, who faces multiple felony charges, spoke exclusively with CBS6’s Briana Supardi from the Schoharie County Jail, saying he takes responsibility for his actions but believes earlier intervention could have prevented what unfolded on Dec. 30.
Phillips said he was suicidal on the morning of Dec. 30 and had no intention of returning home.
“At that point in time, I just wanted to die,” Phillips said. “It was pretty much a suicide mission. I had no intention of coming home.”
Authorities allege Phillips committed multiple vehicle thefts before stealing a patrol car belonging to the Schoharie County Sheriff’s Office and crashing it head-on into another vehicle. Police say the other driver suffered minor injuries. Phillips was taken into custody at the scene.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: ‘Very Scary’: Victims recall car thefts before suspect stole Schoharie sheriff cruiser
Phillips and his family claim law enforcement had been called to his home multiple times for welfare checks in the days before the incident.
According to his brother, Davey Allen, Phillips attempted suicide late on Christmas Eve into Christmas morning, prompting concern among family members.
“We had informed the police when we called them to do the welfare checks that he had attempted suicide, and nothing was really done,” Allen said.
Allen said family members informed police of the suicide attempt and asked for welfare checks on Christmas Day, again that Saturday December 27th, and at least twice the day before the incident.
Phillips said officers came to his home during those checks but left without taking further action. He said he was encouraged to call a crisis hotline but did not do so.
“Everybody told them I was suicidal. They still let me go,” Phillips said.
“I was not capable of making rash decisions for myself,” Phillips said. “I needed someone to do that for me.”
Phillips and his family believe those interactions were missed opportunities to intervene before the situation escalated.
In the early morning hours of Dec. 30, Phillips is accused of stealing multiple vehicles before taking the sheriff’s patrol car and ultimately crashing it into another vehicle head on, causing minor injuries. He said the crash was accidental, and never meant to hurt anyone.
CBS6’S BRIANA SUPARDI: “Take me to the early morning hours of Tuesday. What was going on through your mind before everything happened?”
JAMES PHILLIPS: “My state of mind– pretty much we’re just going to do suicide by cop.”
The 36-year old faces a number of charges, including grand larceny and burglary.
Under New York law, police officers may intervene and transport someone for a psychiatric evaluation only if they have reasonable cause to believe the person is mentally ill and poses an imminent risk of serious harm to themselves or others.
CBS6 reached out to the Schoharie County Sheriff’s Office to confirm the welfare checks and to ask about policies guiding mental health crisis responses but had not received a response.
Phillips’ claims raise broader questions about how and when law enforcement should intervene when responding to repeated welfare checks involving mental health crises.
If you or someone you know is struggling or experiencing thoughts of self-harm, help is available. Call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, to connect with trained counselors 24 hours a day.