TOMPKINS COUNTY, N.Y. — A car chase through multiple counties ended peacefully in Newfield, though the driver was arrested for weapons and drug possession charges.
New York State Police announced they arrested Austin Elia, a 25-year-old man from Willseyville, NY, after a chase that stretched through four counties, starting on Red Chalk Road in Erin and ending on Vankirk Road in Newfield. Elia was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, second- and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, unlawful fleeing of a police officer and aggravated unlicensed operator in the second degree.
An attempt to pull Elia over for a traffic violation was unsuccessful around 2:40 p.m. on Jan. 20, after which he fled, starting the chase.
When Elia was apprehended, he was found with a loaded AK-47, two high-capacity magazines with 16 rounds of ammunition and approximately 7.5 grams of methamphetamine, according to police. There were also two boys found in the car, age 12 and 14, though the police do not indicate that they were charged with anything in connection.
Elia was arraigned in the Town of Van Etten Court and was remanded to Chemung County Jail in lieu of $200,000 cash/$400,000 bond.