On September 12, 2016, at approximately 9:15 a.m., State Police initiated a traffic stop of a 2014 Nissan Maxima for speeding westbound on I-90. Prior to the Nissan coming to a complete stop, the driver exited the vehicle and fled on foot. The vehicle came to rest a short distance away in a marshy area off the side of the road. During the investigation, it was determined that the vehicle was reported stolen out of Arizona.
Troopers conducted an organized search with the assistance of State Police Aviation and K-9 and located the driver, later identified as, Joseph Garcia, 28, of Utica, on Sokol Road in the Town of Herkimer. Garcia was taken into custody, transported, and processed at SP Herkimer where he was subsequently charged with:
- Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the 3rd Degree; a Class D Felony
- Numerous Vehicle and Traffic Violations
Garcia was arraigned at the Town of German Flats Court and was remanded to the Herkimer County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 bond.
The investigation is still ongoing, more information will be released as it becomes available.