A stolen car alert near downtown Ithaca led deputies to a traffic stop and two arrests on New Year’s Eve.
A Tompkins County Sheriff’s deputy received a Flock Safety alert around Green Street and Cayuga Street on December 31. The alert flagged a vehicle reported stolen out of Broome County.
Deputies soon located the car on Ithaca Road and pulled it over. A driver and one passenger were inside, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Broome County authorities confirmed the vehicle was stolen. Both occupants went into custody.
Deputies identified the driver as Michael A. Smythe, 33, of Binghamton. They charged him with criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, a Class E felony. He also faces a misdemeanor charge for aggravated unlicensed operation in the third degree. Authorities released him on an appearance ticket.
The passenger, Ebony J. Parham, 32, of Vestal, also faces a felony charge for criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree. Investigators later learned Parham previously used the name Ebony J. Smythe.
Officials also discovered Parham had an active violation of probation warrant from the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections. The warrant includes full extradition authorization.
Parham was arraigned in Tompkins County CAP Court. Authorities are holding her pending extradition to North Carolina.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court, the Sheriff’s Office said.
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