Subjects Arrested on Multiple Charges Following Pursuit

From NEW YORK STATE POLICE TROOP “C” HEADQUARTERS:


Subjects Arrested on Multiple Charges Following Pursuit

(Homer, NY – November 7, 2009) On November 07, 2009, at 10:09AM, a Homer based Trooper clocked a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu (NY EFL4421) on radar at 92 MPH NB on I-81 in the Town of Cortlandville. This vehicle was the subject of a multi-county radio alert as a stolen vehicle from the Ithaca Police Department and was also wanted in connection with a gas larceny from the Town of Richford, Tioga County, which had occurred about an hour earlier.

The Trooper activated his emergency lights and siren and the vehicle failed to comply. The vehicle exited the interstate and continued south onto ST-41, and other state and local roads in southern Cortland County. A Cortland County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted a stop stick deployment on RT-41 in the Town of Solon. The attempt was unsuccessful as the suspect vehicle swerved towards the deploying Deputy, who was forced to dive into a ditch to avoid being struck by the vehicle.

The pursuit continued into Chenango and Madison Counties and then back into Cortland County. Pursuing vehicles slowed as the suspect vehicle entered a sharp turn on ST-26 in the Town of Taylor, Cortland County, NY. Officers temporarily lost sight of the vehicle as it entered the curve. As officers negotiated the curve, they observed the vehicle had run off the roadway, struck a ditch and come to rest.

The three occupants of the vehicle were taken into custody without incident. The vehicle operator, Chad Mayhew, age 24, 115 Mack St. Groton NY and passengers Jonathon Babcock, age 20, 211 S. Corn St. Ithaca, NY and Samantha Greene, age 20, 224 Linden Ave. Ithaca, NY were all transported to Wilson Memorial Hospital by Cincinnatus and Smith ambulances. All were treated and released. They are currently being held awaiting arraignment.


All three are being charged with Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree. Mayhew was also wanted for violation of Parole. He is additionally being charged with Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer 3rd degree and numerous Vehicle and Traffic Law offenses. Mayhew will also be charged by the Cortland County Sheriff’s Department with one count of Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree for swerving the speeding vehicle and nearly striking the Sheriff’s Deputy.

The pursuit lasted 58 minutes and covered approximately 75 miles with a top speed of approximately one hundred miles per hour.

The investigation is continuing by the State Police, Ithaca Police and Cortland County Sheriff’s Department and additional charges are anticipated.

State Police were assisted during the pursuit by the Cortland County Sheriff’s Department, Chenango County Sheriff’s Department, Madison County Sheriff’s Department, the Cortland Police Department and Onondaga County helicopter, Air-1.