CATO, NY — Deputies arrested a Pennsylvania man on impaired driving and other charges following two incidents in the towns of Cato and Conquest.
James J. Cowher, 47, of Coburn, was taken into custody July 6 at 12:35 a.m.
Deputies responded to a reported disturbance at a residence in Cato at about 11:43 p.m. July 5.
The suspect left the scene before police arrived, driving a vehicle, and the reporting party told dispatchers Cowher was driving while intoxicated with a child in the car.
Deputies spotted the vehicle in Conquest and conducted a traffic stop.
A DWI investigation confirmed a child under age 17 was in the vehicle with Cowher.
Cowher was arrested at the scene on charges of driving while ability impaired and endangering the welfare of a child.
He was transported to the Public Safety Building for processing, and a deputy made arrangements for the child to be picked up by family members.
A chemical test at the facility showed Cowher’s blood alcohol content was .07%, leading to the impaired driving charge.
The disturbance investigation found that during an argument with a female victim, Cowher threatened her with physical harm while a child under 17 was present.
Cowher was additionally charged with menacing in the third degree and a second count of endangering the welfare of a child.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office at 315-253-1222 or submit tips at https://www.cayugacounty.us/452/Send-a-Tip.
Tips can also be submitted through the SaferWatch app, available for download at https://www.cayugacounty.us/1894/SaferWatch or through app stores.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
