Wanted Groton man arrested on numerous charges after police chase

(Courtesy of Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office) Authorities said a search found nearly a pound of meth and two shotguns (one modified) in Joshua Conklin’s car.

DRYDEN, NY (WETM) — A wanted Groton man faces multiple drug, weapons, theft and eluding charges following a police chase that began in Dryden.

According to the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office, Dryden deputies and police officers saw Joshua F. Conklin, 35, leave the Dryden Hotel in a black Ford Mustang at 8:34 a.m. on July 10. Deputies and police officers attempted to stop the wanted Conklin, but he refused to comply.

Authorities said Conklin led police on a several-mile chase into Cortland County, back into Tompkins County and through the town of Dryden before turning onto a road that is currently closed for road work. Conklin nearly collided with construction equipment and the construction crew on Dutcher Road, but the equipment operator controlled the vehicle. Conklin then lost control of his Mustang and drove off the road into the woods.

Conklin abandoned his car and led police on a lengthy foot chase, police said. While fleeing police, Conklin allegedly attempted to steal several occupied vehicles on Fall Creek Road that were stuck in traffic caused by other roadwork. Conklin jumped into one of the vehicles when the driver refused to open the door.

Police used a stun gun on Conklin and arrested him. He was taken to the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office for processing, and his car was towed and impounded at the sheriff’s office while a search warrant was outstanding. Authorities say Conklin again attempted to flee on foot while his restraints were removed so he could use the restroom. He was taken back into custody after officers again used a stun gun on him as he ran through the side yard of the sheriff’s office.

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

The Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office, the Village of Dryden Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) searched Conklin’s car on July 12. Authorities said they found a total of approximately 16 ounces of methamphetamine, a loaded sawed-off 12-gauge shotgun, a full-length 12-gauge shotgun and shotgun ammunition in the car.

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

• Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree (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
• Attempted Grand Theft in the Third Degree (Motor Vehicle), a Class E Felony
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree (Possession by a Convicted Felon), a Class A Misdemeanor
• Unlawful eluding a police officer in a motor vehicle in the third degree, a Class A misdemeanor
• General traffic fines (violations and unclassified offenses)

Conklin was arraigned on escape charges and the charges added on Friday.

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

Prior to this incident, Conklin was wanted on the following charges:

• Grand theft in the fourth degree
• Criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree
• Second degree property damage
• Possession of burglary tools
• Fifth degree conspiracy
• Driving under the influence of alcohol
• Third degree grand theft
• Third degree possession of stolen property