Press release
On September 25, 2018, at approximately 8:29 a.m., the Genesee County 911 Dispatch Center received a call from the victim of a carjacking that took place moments before at 99 Jackson Street in the City of Batavia.
It was reported the suspect threatened to use a weapon during the incident.
A vehicle description with partial license plate and suspect description were given out to responding officers.
Officers Klimjack and Krtanik observed a vehicle matching the description in the area of Liberty Street, they attempted to stop the vehicle and the operator refused to stop leading officers on a pursuit through the City streets. The pursuit lasted several minutes, reaching speeds in excess of 65 miles per hour at times and ended when the operator struck another vehicle and then careened into a tree and sign at the entrance to the Veteran’s Affairs Campus at the intersection of Richmond Avenue and Redfield Parkway.
The stolen vehicle then caught fire and the suspect was apprehended without further incident. There were no injuries reported during the incident, the City of Batavia Fire Department was called to the scene to extinguish the car fire. The operator caused significant damage to the vehicle and the property of the VA.
The suspect, CONSTANTINE D. MURRELL, age 35, of Rochester was arrested and charged with Robbery 2nd degree, Unlawfully Fleeing a Police Officer in the 3rd degree as well as several Vehicle and Traffic charges. He was arraigned in City Court and committed to Genesee County Jail. MURRELL is currently on Parole out of the Rochester. The victim in this case was a 76 year old woman who had stopped at a gas station.
Officers were assisted by NYS Troopers out of SP Batavia, Genesee County Sheriff’s Deputies, Veteran Affairs Police, the Genesee County District Attorney’s Office, the City of Batavia Fire Department and the City of Batavia Department of Public Works.