What began with a thwarted home invasion in Ellicott ended in a car crash outside the Ramada Inn on Fourth Street, Jamestown.
In between, officers from several area police departments were led on a chase reaching speeds up to 90 miles an hour through parts of Jamestown.
At 4:10 p.m., a call was sent out over the police scanner for a burglary in progress. A man described as being 220 pounds with a muscular build, wearing a T-shirt, jeans and gloves, was found by an Ellicott homeowner inside the person's home. Once discovered, the man, later identified as Tommy Williams, 50, of Jamestown, fled the scene in a black Chevy Equinox.
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Tommy Williams, 50, of Jamestown led police on a high-speed chase Monday. He eventually crashed his vehicle into a support pillar outside the Ramada Inn and was apprehended soon after.
P-J photos by Ryan Atkins
The vehicle's description and last known direction were broadcast over the police scanner, with Chautauqua County Sheriff's deputies eventually finding the vehicle. The driver then sped away, trying to elude police. As the driver sped down South Main Street at 60 miles an hour, he turned onto West Fourth Street and tried to speed into the driveway of the Ramada Inn, hitting a support pillar for the walkway between the hotel and the Cherry Street parking ramp and damaging one of the wheels of the vehicle.
A Sheriff's deputy pulled in to the exit of the hotel to prevent Williams from running away, with the vehicle surrounded from the rear by Jamestown, Ellicott and Lakewood-Busti police officers. Williams tried to run into the hotel, but was stopped when a deputy used his taser.
Williams fell and was later taken by Alstar EMS to WCA Hospital for treatment of his injuries. He will be arraigned in Jamestown City Court.
Jamestown police have charged Williams with fourth-degree criminal mischief, third-degree unlawful fleeing a police officer, speeding, reckless driving, first-degree reckless endangerment, third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, unlicensed operator and driving with an open container of alcohol.
Williams is also facing charges in the town of Ellicott and other jurisdictions.