VAN ETTEN – Two people have been arrested and an amount of drugs and illegal guns recovered as part of the Chemung County Sheriff’s Department’s “Take Back The Streets” Initiative.
Sheriff William Schrom says that early this morning in the Town of Van Etten, deputies observed a vehicle which was being operated in violation of several vehicle and traffic laws. When the deputy tried to stop the vehicle, a short pursuit took place before the vehicle stopped.
Sergeant Pirozzolo and his K-partner Egon were called and were successful in locating drugs in the vehicle.
The driver of the vehicle, 20 year old Sarah L. Brown of Waverly was found to be in possession of methamphetamine. Brown was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and Unlawful Fleeing of a Police Officer In A Motor Vehicle, both misdemeanor charges. She was released on appearance tickets and is scheduled to appear in Town of Van Etten court at a later date.
Police say the passenger in the vehicle, 32 year old Steven W. Park of Brooktondale was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and other illicit pills. He was also in possession of a loaded .32 caliber revolver as well as a loaded M1 carbine rifle. Park was charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon as well as Possession of a Controlled Substance.
It was learned that Park had an outstanding warrant out of Ithaca. According to police, Park is a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, and is therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm of any kind. He was arraigned in the Van Etten Town Court and remanded to Chemung County Jail in lieu of bail.
Sheriff Schrom says there were two other passengers in the vehicle, though neither were charged. He also adds that the Sheriff’s Department plans additional “Take Back The Streets” details throughout the county.