Two men are facing multiple charges and over 50 traffic violations after fleeing from police through multiple jurisdictions and recording their attempted escape.
On Friday, June 14, Broome County Sheriff’s Office Road Patrol attempted a routine traffic stop on a blue Ford Expedition with an inadequate and loud exhaust on Thorp Street in the City of Binghamton. The vehicle failed to comply and accelerated at a high rate of speed as patrols pursued.
According to police, the vehicle continued to disregard emergency lights and sirens, leading a pursuit through the City of Binghamton, Town of Dickinson and Village of Johnson City, ignoring all traffic lights, driving recklessly into opposite lanes and over sidewalks at a high rate of speed.
Finally, while approaching the High Street area in the Village of Johnson City, police said the driver of the fleeing vehicle jumped out while the vehicle was still moving and fled on foot. While patrols pursued the driver, other members of the Broome County Sheriff’s Office located James A. Baker Jr., age 52 of Binghamton, in the passenger seat of the stopped vehicle and placed him into custody.
Shortly after, patrols located the driver, Lance W. Rosler, age 54, hiding in an apartment inside a residence on High Street in Johnson City and placed him into custody.
During a search of the vehicle, a bag containing a white crystal-like substance, which field tested positive for methamphetamine, was found in Rosler’s backpack. A cell phone was also located inside the vehicle containing a video recording of the entire police pursuit taken Baker. In the recording, Baker can be heard encouraging the driver to continue fleeing police and giving him directions.
Following an investigation, Lance W. Rosler was charged with:
- Reckless Endangerment in the 1st Degree, a Class D Felony
- Three counts of Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in the 3rd Degree, Class A Misdemeanors
- Resisting Arrest, a Class A Misdemeanor
- Hindering Prosecution in the 3rd Degree, a Class A Misdemeanor
- Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th Degree, a Class A Misdemeanor
- Obstruction of Government Administration in the 2nd Degree, a Class A Misdemeanor
- Conspiracy in the 6th Degree, a Class B Misdemeanor
- Over 50 traffic violations through three jurisdictions
James A. Baker., Jr. was charged with:
- Conspiracy in the 5th Degree a Class A Misdemeanor
- Hindering Prosecution in the 3rd Degree, a Class A Misdemeanor
Rosler and Baker were transported to Central Arraignment Part. Baker was released after being issued appearance tickets and Rosler remains in custody at the Broome County Correctional Facility.
