On October 17, 2024, State Police from SP Collins arrested Bryan D. Ells, age 41, of Irving, NY, on several charges following a traffic stop that resulted in Ells stealing a State Police patrol vehicle.
Ells was a passenger inside of a van that was stopped by a Trooper for a traffic violation around 4:17 p.m. on Aldrich Street in the village of Gowanda. While being questioned, Ells appeared to be under the influence of narcotics and gave a false name. Ells was known to have a warrant from Chautauqua County. Ells was handcuffed and he was placed in the rear of a State Police patrol vehicle.
While the van involved in the original traffic stop was searched, Ells managed to get into the drivers seat of the patrol vehicle and drove off. Troopers and Deputies from the Erie County Sheriff’s Office pursued the vehicle, which was located behind a residence on Gowanda Zoar Road in the town of Collins. As law enforcement arrived at the scene, Ells drove at high speed toward an Erie County Sheriff’s vehicle, nearly striking it.
The stolen State Police vehicle was later located off Eaton Road in Versailles, and Troopers and Deputies found Ells hiding inside a nearby residence.
Ells was arraigned in town of Collins court on several charges, including grand larceny 3rd degree, a class D felony, and was ordered held at the Erie County Holding Center. The full list of charges is below.
State Police were assisted by the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, Gowanda Police Department, Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office, and Seneca Nation Marshals Office.
Charges:
Grand larceny 3rd degree, class D felony
Escape 3rd degree, class A misdemeanor
Reckless endangerment 2nd, class A misdemeanor
Unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle 3rd, class A misdemeanor
Petit Larceny, class A misdemeanor
Obstructing governmental administration 2nd, class A misdemeanor
Reckless endangerment of property, class A misdemeanor
False personation, class B misdemeanor
DWAI-Drugs, unclassified misdemeanor
