Routine speed enforcement in the Town of Dickinson led to a high-speed pursuit through the Town of Chenango and Johnson City and continued on foot before a Binghamton man was taken into custody by the Broome County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday.
On May 18, around 8:07pm, a Broome County Sheriff’s Deputy was conducting speed enforcement on I-81 in the Town of Dickinson when he encountered a vehicle traveling northbound at 90 mph in a 55 mph zone.
The suspect and vehicle, a 2014 Jeep Cherokee, exited the highway at Exit 6, but refused to comply and pull over. The vehicle continued northbound onto Upper Front Street in the Town of Chenango before becoming trapped in traffic at the I-81 South on-ramp. Deputies exited their patrol cars, attempting to contact the operator, but as the light turned green, the car sped away onto I-81 South. The suspect vehicle refused to pull over and traveled more than 100 mph onto NYS Route 17 westbound.
Continuing to flee pursuit, the suspect took Exit 71 (Airport Road) and sped through the Village of Johnson City on CFJ Blvd, Gannett Drive, and Lester Avenue before heading towards the City of Binghamton on Main Street. The suspect’s reckless driving through residential areas with disregard for pedestrians and other citizens led the BCSO shift sergeant to call off the pursuit.
Immediately after the pursuit was terminated, the suspect’s vehicle was observed turning off Floral Avenue into a dead-end at Lincoln Avenue in Johnson City and stopping. Deputies approached the vehicle on foot, causing the vehicle to take off abruptly, nearly striking a sergeant before turning onto Division Street. Deputies did not pursue due to the gross negligence of the suspect operators’ actions and risk to the community.
Moments later, another deputy was traveling on Division Street when the suspect came off Lincoln Avenue at a high rate of speed. The patrol vehicle and suspect vehicle collided, leaving both disabled. The driver then exited the vehicle and fled on foot.
The deputy pursued the suspect on foot for several blocks, with Johnson City Police joining in the foot pursuit. The pursuit finally ended with a Taser deployment, and the suspect was taken into custody. Although the vehicle operator was very uncooperative, he was eventually identified as Houston S. Alexander, 22 years old, of Binghamton. Alexander and the deputy were not injured; however, Alexander was transported to Wilson Hospital for evaluation and released.
The subsequent investigation revealed that the vehicle Alexander was driving belonged to his girlfriend’s grandmother and was used without permission. Houston S. Alexander was processed by the Broome County Sheriff’s Office on the following charges:
• Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the 3rd Degree, a Class A Misdemeanor
• Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, a Class A Misdemeanor
• Reckless Endangerment in the 2nd Degree, a Class A Misdemeanor
• Obstructing Government Administration 2nd Degree a Class A Misdemeanor
Alexander was also charged by the Johnson City Police with Resisting Arrest, a Class A Misdemeanor. Alexander was processed on the penal law charges and issued appearance tickets for a future court date, along with numerous vehicle and traffic law violations.
The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Johnson City Police and NY State Police.
There were no injuries stemming from the incident.
