Spike mat ends chase; suspect turns self in

Joseph Curtis

MILTON - A Farmington man has been charged with reckless conduct and disobeying a police officer after fleeing from police in New Durham and almost striking a Milton Police officer who was trying to lay down a spike mat to end the chase early Sunday morning.

Joseph Curtis of Spring Street in Farmington was charged by Milton Police when he turned himself in to Farmington Police late Sunday morning after eluding capture by Milton Police and a Rochester K9 unit just hours earlier.

According to Milton Chief Richard Krauss, a Milton officer heard on the radio around 2 a.m. that New Durham Police were attempting to apprehend a suspect for a motor vehicle infraction and a chase had ensued. The Milton officer attempted to stop Curtis at the corner of Hare Road and Park Place using a spike mat, but after Curtis initially stopped at the mat, he backed up to get more room and drove toward the cruiser narrowly missing the officer, Krauss said.

He then headed south toward Route 75 where another Milton Police Officer set up another spike mat which Curtis drove over.

The successful deployment of the spike mat began a quick, but controlled deflation of Curtis’ tires, Krauss said, and after driving about 100 feet down Nutes Road past the Grange Hall, the suspect fled into the woods.

The K9 unit from Rochester, including a bloodhound and its handler, assisted Milton Police in a two-hour search, but Curtis eluded lawmen.

Krauss said he was thankful none of his officers were hurt and that Curtis had turned himself in.

Krauss said the first officer who set up the spike mat at Hare Road and Park Place was able to identify the suspect as Curtis.

New Durham police are expected to charge Curtis with several motor vehicle offenses as well.