NEWFANE — On 1/19/2024 at 2346 hours, Middleport Police Officer Mandaville reported a vehicle failing to stop when he attempted to initiate a Traffic Stop 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.
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. Said vehicle traveled north into Newfane and pulled into Kenyon’s where it began to operate recklessly in the snow-covered parking lot.
Deputy Van Buren initiated a Traffic Stop and an investigation subsequently led to the arrest of the driver Vincent J. Merlin V, a 20-year-old male from the Town of Royalton for Driving While Intoxicated (Misdemeanor). When attempting to place Merlin into custody, he fled from Patrols on foot and was apprehended almost immediately by Deputies. He was further charged with Resisting Arrest (Misdemeanor), Obstruction of Governmental Administration 2nd (Misdemeanor), Reckless Driving (Misdemeanor), and other Vehicle and Traffic Law Infractions.
The Middleport Police Department responded and issued additional tickets for the original pursuit. 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.
