Erie County Sheriff John C. Garcia reports the arrest of two males on multiple felony charges following an unauthorized use of a vehicle investigation in the Town of Collins on February 18, 2023.
At approximately 9:15 p.m., Deputies responded to a complaint of someone taking a vehicle without permission. The investigation determined that 33-year-old Jonathan Rusnell of Collins took the vehicle, did not have a valid New York State driver’s license, and had an active warrant from the Town of Cheektowaga Court.
While Deputies were on patrol, they observed a vehicle on North Division Road operating without lights. The vehicle turned into a parking lot, and Deputies attempted to perform a traffic stop. At that time, the driver and passenger exited the vehicle and fled.
Multiple units responded to the area, and with assistance from Air-1, a coordinated search was initiated. Air-1 located a subject in a dark, wooded area and directed deputies to the location. Rusnell was taken into custody and revealed that Joseph Laforme was the passenger.
Later, Seneca Nation of Indian Marshals spotted Laforme walking along Richardson Road and radioed his position to the Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies and New York State Troopers established a perimeter at the location. Once again, Air-1 directed Deputies to the subject’s location in some bushes next to a residence. Laforme was taken into custody.
A search of the victim’s vehicle discovered numerous heroin/fentanyl packages, a quantity of methamphetamine, and various drug paraphernalia.
Joseph Laforme, 23, of Gowanda, was arrested and charged with the following counts:
· Class-B felony of criminal possession of a narcotic with intent to sell;
· Class-B felony of criminal possession of a controlled substance – meth with intent to sell;
· Class-E felony of attempting to conceal/alter/destroy physical evidence;
· Class-A misdemeanors for resisting arrest, criminal possession of a controlled substance, obstructing governmental administration, and criminal use of drug paraphernalia.
Jonathan Rusnell was arrested and charged with the following:
· Class-B felony of criminal possession of a narcotic with intent to sell;
· Class-B felony of criminal possession of a controlled substance – meth with intent to sell;
· Class-E felony of attempting to conceal/alter/destroy physical evidence;
· Class-A misdemeanors for resisting arrest, criminal possession of a controlled substance, obstructing governmental administration, and criminal use of drug paraphernalia; and
· Two separate vehicle and traffic law violations.
Laforme was arraigned and released while Rusnell is held at the Erie County Holding Center pending further court proceedings.
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