May 8, 2020
From Sheriff Allard:
Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard reports that on May 7, 2020, deputies of the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office patrolling in the area of Interstate 99 in the Town of Lindley, New York, observed a white Chevrolet pickup truck matching the description of a reported stolen vehicle from Chemung County. The deputy observed that the information from the displayed vehicle registration did not match the description of the vehicle and attempted to stop the vehicle. The vehicle continued on without stopping traveling on County Route 115, Stowell Road, finally stopping on Interstate 99 in the Town of Lindley. The vehicle operator then fled the vehicle on foot. Deputies and New York State Troopers continued to attempt to apprehend the driver, who was finally apprehended after allegedly stealing a motorcycle and then swimming from the west to the east side of the Tioga River in the Town of Lindley. The driver, identified as Erich J. West, age 39 of Pennsylvania, was transported to a medical facility for treatment.
It is alleged that Mr. West failed to stop his vehicle when required to do so by a uniformed police officer operating a marked patrol unit displaying emergency lights, that he resisted arrest and obstructed a governmental agent from performing an official duty. It is further alleged that Mr. West acted in a reckless manner which endangered the public, and that he possessed stolen property.
It is further alleged that Mr. West violated a term or condition of his Pennsylvania Parole and that he is under investigation for the theft of the vehicle from Chemung County by the New York State Police. Mr. West is currently in the custody of the United States Marshall Service at a medical facility in Pennsylvania.
The Steuben County Sheriff’s Office has filed for a warrant for the arrest of Mr. West upon his release from custody in Pennsylvania for the charges of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree, Unlawful Fleeing of a Police Officer in the Third Degree, Resisting Arrest, Obstructing Governmental Administration and Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree.
Sheriff Allard thanks the New York State Police for their assistance in this investigation.
