Royalton man faces DWI, numerous charges after allegedly driving drunk, fleeing police
MIDDLEPORT – A Royalton man faces multiple charges after fleeing police with a car and then on foot, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office reported.
Vincent J. Merlin V
Vincent J. Merlin V, 20, has been charged by the Sheriff’s Office with driving while intoxicated (misdemeanor), resisting arrest (misdemeanor), obstruction of governmental administration 2nd (misdemeanor), reckless driving (misdemeanor), and other vehicle and traffic law infractions. He also faces charges from the Middleport Police Department for the original pursuit.
Middleport police officer Mandaville reported a vehicle failing to stop when he attempted to initiate a traffic stop at 11:46 p.m. on Friday in the area of Johnson Creek Road and Ridge Road in the Town of Hartland.
A brief pursuit ensued but was terminated quickly due to the weather and road conditions, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Deputy Van Buren was patrolling on Ridge Road in the Town of Newfane, when he observed a vehicle matching the above mentioned at a high rate of speed. He began following the vehicle, attempting to safely catch up to it.
The vehicle driven by Merlin traveled north into Newfane and pulled into Kenyon’s where it began to operate recklessly in the snow-covered parking lot, the Sheriff’s Office stated in a press release. Deputy Van Buren initiated a traffic stop and an investigation subsequently led to the arrest of the driver. When attempting to place Merlin into custody, he fled from patrols on foot and was apprehended almost immediately by deputies.
Merlin was remanded to the Niagara County Correctional Facility awaiting arraignment. He is to return to both the Town of Hartland and Town of Newfane courts to answer to his charges.