Bryan D. Ells

A town of Brant resident has pleaded guilty in the case involving a stolen police vehicle in Gowanda.

Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane has announced that Bryan D. Ells, 41, pleaded guilty before Acting Erie County Court Judge Andrew C. LoTempio to one count of third-degree grand larceny (Class “D” felony) and one count of third-degree unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle (Class “A” misdemeanor). The defendant pleaded guilty to the highest sustainable charge.

On Oct. 17 at approximately 4:15 p.m., a New York State Trooper initiated a traffic stop for a traffic violation on Aldrich Street in the village of Gowanda. The defendant, who was a passenger of the vehicle, was wanted on a warrant from Chautauqua County. The defendant was subsequently handcuffed and placed in the rear of the State Police patrol vehicle.

While the van was being searched, the defendant managed to escape the rear seat and drove off in the patrol vehicle. The defendant unlawfully fled police in the patrol vehicle, which was found occupied on Gowanda Zoar Road in the town of Collins.

When located by members of the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, the defendant intentionally drove the stolen patrol vehicle at a high rate of speed and nearly hit a Sheriff’s Office vehicle. The stolen patrol vehicle was later found unoccupied on Eaton Road in the hamlet of Versailles.

The defendant was found inside a nearby residence where he was taken into custody.

Ells faces a maximum of 7 years in prison when he is sentenced on Feb. 20 at 10:30 a.m. He remains held without bail.

Acting DA Keane commends the New York State Police SP Collins, the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, and the Gowanda Police Department for their work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Rachel Kranitz McPhee of the Felony Trials Bureau.