2 arrested following cell phone filmed pursuit

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIT/WBGH) – Two men were taken into custody after fleeing from police and recording their attempted escape on a cell phone.

On June 14, Broome County Sheriff’s Office Road Patrol attempted a routine traffic stop on a blue Ford Expedition on Thorp Street in the City of Binghamton. The vehicle was said to have an inadequate and loud exhaust. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the driver of the vehicle failed to comply and accelerated at a high rate of speed. The driver continued to disregard emergency lights and sirens, leading a pursuit through the City of Binghamton, Town of Dickinson and Village of Johnson City, and ignored all traffic lights, driving recklessly into opposite lanes and over sidewalks.

While approaching the High Street area in the Village of Johnson City, the driver jumped out while the vehicle was still moving and fled the scene on foot. Patrols pursued the driver while other members of the Sheriff’s Office located James Baker Jr., 52 of Binghamton, in the passenger seat of the stopped vehicle. Baker was placed into custody.

Shortly after, patrols located the driver of the vehicle, Lance Rosler, 54. He was found hiding in an apartment inside a residence on High Street in Johnson City and placed into custody.

Patrols searched the vehicle and discovered a bag containing a white crystal-like substance, which field tested positive for methamphetamine, in Rosler’s backpack. They also found a cell phone containing a video recording of the entire police pursuit taken by Baker. In the video, Baker can be heard encouraging Rosler to continue fleeing police while giving him directions.

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Following an investigation, Rosler was charged with the following:

• Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, a Class D Felony
• Three counts of Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in the Third Degree, Class A
  Misdemeanors
• Resisting Arrest, a Class A Misdemeanor
• Hindering Prosecution in the Third Degree, a Class A Misdemeanor
• Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, a Class A
  Misdemeanor
• Obstruction of Government Administration in the Second Degree, a Class A Misdemeanor
• Conspiracy in the Sixth Degree, a Class B Misdemeanor
• Over 50 traffic violations through three jurisdictions

Baker was charged with the following:

• Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree a Class A Misdemeanor
• Hindering Prosecution in the Third Degree, a Class A Misdemeanor

Rosler and Baker were taken to Central Arraignment Part. Baker was released on appearance tickets and Rosler remains in custody at the Broome County Jail.

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