ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Orchard Park Police Department reported that they recently had reports of thefts at the West Herr Kia on Southwestern Boulevard.
On September 28 at 4:22 a.m. 911 dispatchers received calls from West Herr Security that a male had been attempting to break into cars.
Once police arrived at the scene they could see a male attempting to steal rims and tires off of vehicles in the parking lot. When given verbal commands by police, the male suspect got into his car and attempted to leave the scene.
The suspect then crashed into 4 parked vehicles and almost struck two officers with his car. He continued to attempt to drive away but lost one of his own cars tires making it unable to drive.
He then got out and ran towards a wooded area on foot.
Orchard Park Police setup a large police perimeter along with assistance from the Erie County Sheriff's Office and K9 Unit, the Village of Hamburg Fire Department's drone, and the Town of Hamburg Police Department.
The suspect eventually came out of the wooded area and was caught by police and taken into custody.
He has been identified as Joshua Kessel, 29, of Colden.
Kessel has been charged with two counts of menacing a police officer, attempted aggravated assault of a police officer, attempted assault in the 2nd degree, attempted grand larceny, reckless endangerment, obstructing government administration in the 2nd degree, criminal mischief in the 4th degree, auto stripping in the 3rd degree, trespass, and multiple vehicle and traffic law infractions.
He was arraigned by the Honorable Judge DeRosas and held on $7500 cash or $25,000 bond. Police transferred him to the Erie County Holding Center and his vehicle was towed and impounded.
