Law enforcement officials are still searching for a Rochester man who fled police during a drug investigation in Canandaigua and now faces multiple felony charges.
An arrest warrant was issued on March 25 for Jonathan J. Matthews, 26, charging him with first-degree bail jumping. The Ontario County Sheriff’s Office and Canandaigua Police Department warn that Matthews should be considered armed and dangerous due to previous weapons convictions.
Authorities say Matthews was the target of a long-term drug investigation on Bristol Street in Canandaigua. On March 17, when deputies and officers moved in to arrest him, Matthews allegedly rammed an unmarked police vehicle and fled. He drove on the sidewalk in front of a neighbor’s house before leading police on a pursuit that extended into rural roads near Farmington. Officers ultimately terminated the chase to protect public safety.
Matthews currently has an outstanding Ontario County bench warrant for criminal possession and sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, both Class B felonies. Officials say additional felony drug charges will be filed upon his arrest, along with charges related to the pursuit.
He was last seen driving a black 2016 BMW X5 with New York license plate KSR 9946. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to contact the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office at 585-394-4560.
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