JAMESTOWN, NY — A Celoron man faces multiple charges after allegedly fleeing police in a vehicle pursuit that spanned two municipalities on Jan. 4, 2026.
Officers from the Jamestown Police Department responded to a report of an unwanted person involving a larceny on the west side of the city at approximately 1 p.m.
Gregory M. Messere Jr., 30, of Celoron, fled the scene in a truck as officers arrived, leading police on a pursuit through the west side of Jamestown into the Village of Celoron, then back into Jamestown via Jones and Gifford avenues.
Messere continued onto Lister Street before traveling westbound toward Celoron again, where he abandoned the vehicle behind a village-owned property.
During the pursuit, Messere drove directly toward a marked Jamestown Police vehicle at a high rate of speed, nearly causing a head-on collision, police said.
He also nearly lost control of the vehicle while navigating an intersection at a high rate of speed, creating a substantial risk of serious physical injury to officers and the public, according to police.
Messere fled the vehicle on foot but was later taken into custody without incident following a coordinated response involving the New York State Police, Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office Crisis Negotiation Team, Lakewood-Busti Police Department and the Ellicott Police Department.
Messere was charged with grand larceny in the fourth degree, reckless endangerment in the first degree, unlicensed operator, reckless driving, failure to comply and numerous additional traffic violations.
He was arraigned in Jamestown City Court and released.
