A man wanted on multiple warrants led law enforcement on a tense pursuit involving a vehicle, foot chase, and drone search before being taken into custody last week in Cayuga County.
Justin T. Jones, 39, of Ledyard, was arrested on December 19 after members of the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office and New York State Parole responded to a residence on Levanna Road to execute a Parole Absconder Warrant and an Indictment Warrant for aggravated criminal contempt. The charge stemmed from an August investigation where Jones allegedly violated an order of protection.
Authorities located Jones inside a garage on the property. Despite initial verbal compliance, Jones started a pickup truck equipped with a snowplow and began ramming a closed overhead door in an attempt to escape. Deputies deployed less-lethal munitions and a Taser, but neither proved effective as Jones drove through the garage door, striking a patrol car before fleeing into a nearby field.
After the vehicle became stuck, Jones fled on foot into dense brush. With assistance from the Sheriff’s Office drone unit, he was eventually located and apprehended without further incident. A search revealed a white substance on Jones, later confirmed to be methamphetamine.
Jones was airlifted to Upstate Hospital via Life Net Helicopter for injuries believed to have been sustained from a fall while attempting to climb a tree stand during his escape. Upon release from the hospital, he was taken into custody and processed on the original indictment warrant along with new charges, including obstructing governmental administration, resisting arrest, criminal possession of a controlled substance, and criminal mischief.
Jones was arraigned on December 23 and remanded to the Cayuga County Jail without bail.
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