SYRACUSE, NY — Two people were arrested April 7, 2026, after a pursuit involving a stolen vehicle in a store parking lot.
Members of the Troop D Community Stabilization Unit received a tip at approximately 3:58 p.m. that a stolen vehicle had entered the Lowe’s parking lot at 131 Simon Drive.
The vehicle was confirmed stolen out of Auburn.
As troopers exited their vehicles to approach the suspects, the operator, identified as Jescy J. Townsend, 28, of Syracuse, placed the vehicle in reverse and accelerated, striking and damaging an unmarked patrol vehicle.
A vehicle pursuit was initiated by Troop D Community Stabilization Unit members and Syracuse Police Department patrol units.
The pursuit continued around the side of Lowe’s, where Townsend drove onto a grassy area, down a hill, and into a marshy area.
The suspect vehicle became disabled, and both occupants fled on foot.
Following a brief foot pursuit, Townsend was taken into custody without further incident.
With the assistance of the Syracuse Police Department, the second suspect, identified as Marcese Evans, 24, of Bronx, was located hiding in nearby brush and taken into custody without further incident.
The investigation revealed that both suspects had entered Lowe’s, stole merchandise, and returned to the stolen vehicle prior to the pursuit.
Both suspects were arrested and transported to State Police North Syracuse for processing.
Townsend was charged with criminal mischief 2nd degree, criminal possession of stolen property 3rd degree, obstructing governmental administration 2nd degree, resisting arrest, grand larceny 4th degree, reckless endangerment 2nd degree, conspiracy 5th degree and two counts of criminal mischief 3rd degree.
Evans was charged with criminal possession of stolen property 3rd degree, obstructing governmental administration 2nd degree, grand larceny 4th degree and conspiracy 5th degree.
Evans also had an active bench warrant issued by the Syracuse Police Department.
Both individuals were arraigned in Onondaga County CAP Court and remanded to the Onondaga County Justice Center.
