Collins, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Erie County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of two men on Tuesday following an unauthorized use of a vehicle investigation in the Town of Collins on Saturday.
Deputies responded to a complaint at approximately 9:15 p.m. EST of someone taking a vehicle without permission. The investigation determined that 33-year-old Jonathan Rusnell of Collins took the vehicle, did not have a valid New York State driver's license, and had an active warrant for his arrest from the Town of Cheektowaga Court.
While Deputies were on patrol, they observed a vehicle on North Division Road operating without lights. The vehicle turned into a parking lot, and Deputies attempted to perform a traffic stop. At that time, the driver and passenger exited the vehicle and fled the scene.
Multiple units responded to the area, and with assistance from Air-1, a coordinated search was initiated. Air-1 located a subject in a dark, wooded area and directed deputies to the location.
It was there where Rusnell was taken into custody and revealed that 23-year-old Joseph Laforme was the passenger of the vehicle.
Later, Seneca Nation of Indian Marshals spotted Laforme walking along Richardson Road and radioed his position to the Sheriff's Office.
Deputies and New York State Troopers established a perimeter at the location. Once again, Air-1 directed Deputies to the Laforme's location in some bushes next to a residence. Laforme was then taken into custody.
A search of the victim's vehicle discovered numerous heroin/fentanyl packages, a quantity of methamphetamine, and various drug paraphernalia.
Laforme, a Gowanda native, was arrested and charged with the following counts:
- Criminal Possession of a Narcotic with Intent to Sell (Class "B" felony)
- Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (meth) with Intent to Sell (Class "B" felony)
- Attempting to Conceal/Alter/Destroy Physical Evidence (Class "E" felony)
- Resisting Arrest (Class "A" misdemeanor)
- Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (Class "A" misdemeanor)
- Obstructing Governmental Administration (Class "A" misdemeanor)
- Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia (Class "A" misdemeanor)
Rusnell was arrested and charged with the following:
- Criminal Possession of a Narcotic with Intent to Sell (Class "B" felony)
- Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (meth) with Intent to Sell (Class "B" felony)
- Attempting to Conceal/Alter/Destroy Physical Evidence (Class "E" felony)
- Resisting Arrest (Class "A" misdemeanor)
- Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (Class "A" misdemeanor)
- Obstructing Governmental Administration (Class "A" misdemeanor)
- Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia (Class "A" misdemeanor)
- Two separate vehicle and traffic law violations.
Laforme was arraigned and released, while Rusnell is being held at the Erie County Holding Center pending further court proceedings.
