Niagara County Sheriff's Office: Hit and run leads to arrests

Information Provided by the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office

On Monday, Feb. 24, at 8:36 p.m., Deputy Pino observed a gray Chevrolet pickup truck on Upper Mountain Road in the Town of Cambria with an equipment violation. Pino also recognized the vehicle as being the suspect vehicle in several hit-and-run motor vehicle accidents in Lockport and Amherst. Pino attempted to conduct a traffic stop of the vehicle on Lockport Junction Road.

The vehicle failed to yield to Pino and fled southbound on Lockport Junction Road. The vehicle then went eastbound on Saunders Settlement Road into the City of Lockport. The pursuit then traveled throughout the City of Lockport. During the pursuit, the vehicle's operator allegedly intentionally struck two Niagara County Sheriff's Office patrol vehicles causing damage. The pursuit ended on East Avenue in the City of Lockport near the former Eastern Niagara Hospital building.

The driver was taken into custody after complying with orders given by deputies. The passenger was taken into custody after resisting arrest.

The driver was identified as a 26-year-old female from the City of Lockport. She was charged with two counts of criminal mischief, second degree (felony); unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, third degree (misdemeanor); obstruction of governmental administration, second degree (misdemeanor); resisting arrest (misdemeanor); reckless driving (misdemeanor); and numerous vehicle and traffic law violations. She was held at the Niagara County Jail for arraignment in Niagara County CAP Court and was to be transferred to the City of Lockport on two unrelated arrest warrants for controlled substance.

The passenger was identified as a 36-year-old male from the City of Lockport. He was charged with obstruction of governmental administration, second degree (misdemeanor); and resisting arrest (misdemeanor). He was held at the Niagara County Jail for arraignment in Niagara County CAP Court.

Both individuals are considered innocent unless or until convicted in a court of law.