Tompkins county man charged with felonies after crashing car

On October 31, 2022, New York State Police at Ithaca arrested Steven W. Park, age 31 of Brooktondale, NY for the class “B” felony of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the third degree (intent to sell), the class “C” felony of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the second degree (loaded) and the misdemeanors of Unlawful Purchase of Body Armor in the first degree and Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance in the seventh degree. 

Troopers were dispatched by Tompkins County 911 to a report of a single car crash into a tree near Virgil and Bradshaw Roads in the town of Dryden.  Troopers arrived to find that the operator had fled the scene.  Park was identified as the driver of the vehicle and was located with the assistance of a member of the Village of Dryden Police Department in the town court parking lot. 

An investigation revealed that Park was in possession of a loaded illegal sawed-off shotgun, a bullet proof vest, approximately 53.4 grams of suspected methamphetamine, approximately 2.2 grams of suspected valium and over 300 grams of cannabis. 

Park was arrested and taken to SP Ithaca for processing.  He was later transported to Tompkins County Centralized Arraignment and Processing. 

Troopers previously arrested Park on October 25, 2022, he was charged with the misdemeanors of Reckless Driving and Fleeing an Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the third degree.   

On October 25, a trooper was on Turkey Hill Road in the town of Ithaca and observed a vehicle speeding.  The trooper attempted to initiate a traffic stop.  Park failed to comply and continued to flee from the trooper on several roadways, driving recklessly.  Park ultimately stopped the vehicle in the backyard of a residence on Caroline Depot Road in the town of Brooktondale and was taken into custody.  Troopers were assisted by members of the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Department and the New York State Park Police.