Suspect Who Threw Chemical Agent At A Deputy Has Been Arrested Thanks To The Public’s Help.

Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard reports the arrest of a suspect who was involved in a pursuit earlier this week where a non-lethal chemical grenade was thrown at a Deputy.

Following the incident on January 25, the Sheriff’s Office went to the public to identify the people involved. Detectives followed up on several tips received from the public. They worked with the Erie County Crime Analysis Center to issue a region-wide alert looking for the suspect and associated individuals.

On January 28, the Niagara Falls Police Department contacted the Sheriff’s Office about two individuals in custody matching the suspects within the law enforcement alert. Detectives met Niagara Falls officers and took 40-year-old David Coffey of Marble, North Carolina, into custody and charged him with:

David Coffey of Marble, North Carolina.

· Reckless endangerment, a class-D felony;

· Unlawful fleeing from police, a class-A misdemeanor;

· Obstruction of governmental administration, a class-A misdemeanor;

· Resisting arrest, a class-A misdemeanor;

· Unlawful possession of a noxious matter, a class-B misdemeanor.

Also taken into custody was 23-year-old Abigail Klink for multiple out-of-area warrants.

Both defendants are held at the Erie County Holding Center. Klink is awaiting extradition for outstanding warrants, and Coffey is remanded without bail.

The Erie County Sheriff’s Office wishes to thank the concerned citizens who provided information about the incident, the Erie County Crime Analysis Center for the region-wide alert, and the Niagara Falls Police for efforts that resulted in the arrest of the subject.