CANDOR, N.Y. — New York State Police arrested a Richford man after he fired on police as they approached him regarding a dispute in Spencer on Thursday evening.
James Haines, 28, of Richford, was arrested and charged with felony attempted murder in the first degree. Around 6:35 p.m. on Sept. 3, troopers arrived at a residence on Light Road in the Town of Caroline. They were seeking to question Haines regarding an incident in the Village of Spencer, when he fired on two troopers before fleeing the area.
The Voice received several tips regarding the incident, with residents reporting a circling helicopter, heavy police presence and what appeared to be searching with floodlights, as officers searched the area for Haines in the area of Pacific Road and Light Road.
Their investigation led law enforcement to a location off state route 96 in the Town of Candor, where officers spoke with Haines before he surrendered to officers in the early morning hours of Sept. 4.
New York State Police were assisted at the scene by NYSP Special Operations Response Team, the Tioga County Sheriff’s Department, the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Department, the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Slaterville and Candor Fire Departments.