(Photo of vehicle that was carjacked this morning in the city, courtesy of Alex Feig of WBTA.)
A white Chrysler Sebring with a black top occupied by just its driver crashed at the VA Medical Center after a wild chase through city streets. The driver is in custody. He may have a firearm. What prompted the chase is not clear.
A medic is responding. At least three Batavia PD patrols were pursuing the vehicle. VA police are being notified; property at the facility is damaged.
UPDATE 8:55 a.m.: City fire just arrived in non-emergency mode with speedy dry absorbent and a pad to cover a storm drain from leaking fluids; the vehicle is on fire. Asked if the suspect has any facial or hand tattoos, an officer's response is no, but there are on the arm(s).
Shortly after this incident began, there was a call of a possibly armed suspect driving the vehicle southbound on Liberty Street. A patrol was a Ellicott and Jackson, and Liberty and Main. Then the suspect vehicle headed northbound on Summit Street toward the hospital going 65 mph, then went westbound toward State Street, got on Oak and the Thruway Authority was notified as it was believed to be headed to I-90. Then it crashed at the VA.
UPDATE 9:06 a.m.: This was a carjacking. More T/K.
UPDATE 10:22 a.m.: Shortly after the incident ended, Batavia Police Chief Shawn Heubusch held a press conference outside the VA Medical Center. Alex Feig, of WBTA, provided the audio from which the following details were taken:
Officers initially responded to the Kwik Fill at 99 Jackson St. in the city after a report of a vehicle theft. The use of a weapon -- a gun -- was threatened, but one was not displayed, nor recovered after the suspect was taken into custody. Police caught up with the vehicle, which sped off when they pursued it. Speeds reached around 65 mph on city streets and then the driver failed to navigate near the VA Medical Center and crashed. The vehicle caught fire and the fire department responded, but the car did not "burn up." The driver/suspect was able to get out of the vehicle on his own and did not appear to be injured. The victim, who remained behind at the Kwik Fill, was not physically injured. Authorities at the VA were assessing damage to property, which includes a sign knocked askew and off its foundation, a tree, and possibly some fencing. Asked if the incident was related to some other crime commited, the chief said no. The suspect was taken into custody by the VA without incident.
