NCSO: Vehicle pursuit leads to male being taken into custody

Information Provided by the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office

At 12:43 a.m. Wednesday, Deputy Westmorland attempted to initiate a traffic stop on Saunders Settlement Road for speed and an equipment violation. The vehicle failed to yield to the deputy’s emergency lights and siren, subsequently initiating a vehicle pursuit.

The pursuit traveled eastbound on Saunders Settlement Road (Route 31) through the towns of Lewiston and Cambria before it was intercepted at Campbell Boulevard, where a tire deflation device was successfully deployed by responding deputies.

The vehicle continued northbound on Lockport Junction Road where a second tire deflation device was successfully deployed. The pursuit continued northbound for a short time until the vehicle, which was riding on its rims, struck a stop sign at Ridge Road and Old Beebe Road, becoming disabled.

At this time, the operator and sole occupant of the vehicle fled deputies on foot. A foot chase ensued, and the male was taken into custody a short distance into the woods.

The operator was identified as a 36-year-old male from the City of Niagara Falls. He was charged with driving while intoxicated – two previous convictions in 10 years (D felony); aggravated unlicensed operation, first degree (E felony); unlawful fleeing an officer in a motor vehicle, third degree (A misdemeanor); resisting arrest (A misdemeanor); obstruction of governmental administration, second degree (A misdemeanor); reckless driving (misdemeanor); leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident (violation); and numerous other vehicle and traffic law violations.

The individual was remanded to the Niagara County Correctional Facility awaiting centralized arraignment.