Wanted Groton man arrested on numerous charges after police chase

DRYDEN, N.Y. ( WETM ) — A wanted Groton man is facing multiple drug, weapon, theft, and escape-related charges after a police chase that started in Dryden.

According to the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office, sheriff’s deputies and Dryden Police Officers saw Joshua F. Conklin, 35, leaving the Dryden Hotel in a black Ford Mustang at 8:34 a.m. on July 10. The deputies and officers tried to stop Conklin, who was wanted, but he refused to comply.

Authorities say that Conklin led the police on a several-mile chase into Cortland County, back into Tompkins County, and through the Town of Dryden before turning down a road that’s currently closed for roadwork. Conklin almost hit construction equipment and the construction crew on Dutcher Road, but the equipment’s operator maneuvered the vehicle. Conklin then lost control of his Mustang and drove off of the road into the woods.

Conklin abandoned his car and led police on a long foot pursuit, police say. While running from police, Conklin allegedly tried to steal several occupied vehicles on Fall Creek Road that were waiting in traffic caused by other roadwork. Conklin jumped on top of one of the vehicles after the driver refused to open the door.

Police used a stun gun on Conklin and arrested him. He was transported to the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office to be processed, and his car was towed and impounded at the sheriff’s office while a search warrant was pending. Authorities say that Conklin tried to escape on foot again while his restraints were being transferred so he could use the bathroom. He was taken back into custody after deputies used a stun gun on him again as he was running through the sheriff’s office’s side yard.

After he was processed, Conklin was charged with second-degree escape (a class E felony) and taken to the Tompkins County Jail while police continued to investigate the chase and waited for the warrant to search his vehicle.

The Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office, the Village of Dryden Police Department, and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) searched Conklin’s car on July 12. Authorities say they found an aggregate of about 16 ounces of methamphetamine, a loaded 12-gauge sawed-off shotgun, a full-length 12-gauge shotgun, and shotgun ammo in the car.

That afternoon, Conklin was booked on the following additional charges:

• Second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), a Class A-II Felony
• Second-degree criminal possession of a weapon (modified shotgun), a Class C Felony
• Three counts of first-degree reckless endangerment, a Class D Felony
• Third-degree attempted grand larceny (motor vehicles), a Class E Felony
• Fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon (convicted felon in possession), a Class A Misdemeanor
• Third-degree unlawfully fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, a Class A Misdemeanor
• Universal traffic tickets (infractions and unclassified misdemeanors)

Conklin was arraigned on the escape charge and the charges that were added on Friday.

The DEA, the New York State Police Department, the Village of Dryden Police Department, the Village of Groton Police Department, Dryden Ambulance, and the Town of Dryden Department of Public Works assisted the Tompkin’s County Sheriff’s Office with this case.

Before this incident, Conklin was wanted on the following charges:

• Fourth-degree grand larceny
• Fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property
• Second-degree criminal mischief
• Possession of burglary tools
• Fifth-degree conspiracy
• Driving while intoxicated
• Third-degree grand larceny
• Third-degree possession of stolen property

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