CNY Online
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read

A traffic stop leads to apprehension of wanted man

On Friday September 13th, 2024 at approximately 11:00am a New Hartford Police Officer made a vehicle and traffic law stop on State Rt 8 of a vehicle after observing the occupants of the vehicle to be in violation of The New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law, section 1229(C)(3), being a passenger in a motor vehicle and not wearing a seatbelt. Upon the stop of the vehicle it was found that the driver did not have a valid driver license as well. While interviewing the passenger of the vehicle who was in violation of the seatbelt law it was determined that the passenger had two outstanding Arrest Warrants. The passenger ultimately identified as 30-year-old, Christopher Hamilton was wanted by The Utica Police Department on warrants for Grand Larceny, a class E Felony, and Petit Larceny, a class A Misdemeanor.

As police officers attempted to take Hamilton into custody he fled on foot, running from the vehicle and across the driving lanes of State Route 8. Hamilton jumped over the guardrail and down a steep embankment. Hamilton continued his flight eventually running into and across the Sauquoit Creek heading towards the Oneida St. area. Hamilton was caught by New Hartford Police Officers who were able to take him into custody in the wooded area between the creek and Oneida St. Hamilton was treated for a minor injury at The Wynn Hospital and released. Hamilton was then transported to the New Hartford Police Department where he was charged with;

1) 1 Count of NYS VTL 1229(c)(3) - No Seatbelt (Violation)

2) 1 Count of PL 195.05 - Obstructing Governmental Administration(Class A Misdemeanor)

3) 1 Count of PL 205.30- Resisting Arrest (Class A Misdemeanor)

4) 1 Count of PL 190.23-False Personation(Class B Misdemeanor)

Hamilton was issued appearance tickets to answer these charged in Town Court at a later date then turned over to The Utica Police Department for arraignment on the outstanding warrants. Traffic along Rt 8 was briefly interrupted as police collected items from the roadway that were dropped when Hamilton fled.