DWI and Resisting Arrest Charges for Royalton Man

Around 23:46 on 1/19/2024, Middleport Police Officer Mandaville reported a vehicle that did not comply when he tried to signal it to pull over for a traffic check near Johnson Creek Road and Ridge Road, Town of Hartland. He briefly pursued the car, but the bad weather and poor road conditions caused him to end the chase.

Deputy Van Buren, who was patrolling the Ridge Road in Newfane, saw a car which seemed to be the one that didn’t stop earlier, driving at a high speed. He followed it, attempting to safely get closer. The vehicle then went north into Newfane and entered Kenyon’s parking lot, where the driver began to show reckless behavior in the snow-filled area.

Upon executing a Traffic Stop, Deputy Van Buren’s investigation resulted in the arrest of the driver, 20-year-old Vincent J. Merlin V from the Town of Royalton, on charges of Driving While Intoxicated. Merlin tried to escape as he was being arrested but was caught almost instantly by the officers. Other charges pressed against him include Resisting Arrest, Obstruction of Governmental Administration 2nd degree, Reckless Driving, and several more Vehicle and Traffic Law violations.

The Middleport Police Department issued additional tickets for the initial pursuit. Merlin was then transferred to the Niagara County Correctional Facility awaiting his formal court hearing. He will need to further attend court in both the Town of Hartland and Town of Newfane to face his charges.

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