March 30, 2024
FROM THE CHEMUNG COUNTY SHERIFF”S DEPT:
On March 29th the Chemung County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Police conducted a joint retail theft operation in Consumer Square, in the Town of Big Flats, which was scheduled from 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
At about 6:45 pm, while pursuing a larceny suspect in the Target parking lot, the subject ran towards a getaway vehicle and jumped on the hood with Inv. Theetge in close pursuit tackling him on top of the hood. The driver accelerated the vehicle and then jerked the wheel causing Inv. Theetge to be ejected from the vehicle hood falling on to his back still while holding suspect who landed on top of him, rendering him unresponsive. As a result of the driver’s actions, Inv. Theetge sustained a skull fracture and brain bleed, he remains in critical condition at Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre. An Officer Down call was radioed at approximately 6:50 pm, which resulted in a multi-agency response.
The larceny suspect was taken into custody immediately. He was identified as, DOMINICK J. HALEY, a black male, age 24, of 509 Lake St., Unit C Apt. 2, Ithaca, NY 14850. HALEY was charged with two (2) counts of Assault in the 2nd Degree, a Class C Violent Felony, Resisting Arrest and Petit Larceny, both Class A Misdemeanors. HALEY was arraigned in Big Flats Town Court and remanded to the Chemung County Jail in lieu of $100,000 cash / $200,000 property bond.
The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the many law enforcement agencies that responded to the scene and rendered assistance to Inv. Theetge, as well as the New York State Police in particular who had agreed to conduct the criminal investigation on our behalf and we will continue to work closely with them in our pursuit to bring all individuals involved in this incident to justice.
As part of this ongoing investigation, we ask for the public’s assistance in locating and advising law enforcement on the whereabouts of FATIUNA A. MASSALINE, a black female, 24 years of age, believed to be in the Ithaca area. If you have any information please contact the NYSP at 585-398-4100.
All the men and women of the Chemung County Sheriff’s Office continue to hold Inv. Theetge and his family in their thoughts and prayers.
