On July 13, 2023, Deputy Jacob Kipler attempted to pull over a 2013 blue Dodge Avenger for a headlight
violation in the area of Batavia Oakfield Townline Road and Route 63. The vehicle fled at speeds
that reached as high as 90 miles per hour and went off the road several times on Batavia Stafford Townline Road and Bank Street Road and also intentionally drove through a crop field, causing extensive damage to the crops.
The vehicle failed to comply.
The Dodge Avenger continued to flee at high rates of speed after going through the field and
Stinger Spike Strips were successfully used on Route 237 in the Town of Stafford. The vehicle lost multiple tires afterwards but continued to drive on rims at high rates of speed. The Dodge Avenger eventually lost control in the area of Route 33 and Apple Tree Avenue in Bergen, went it went off the road, struck a street
sign, and crashed into earth embankment.
The operator of the vehicle and the front passenger of the vehicle then fled on foot, heading south towards businesses on Apple Tree Avenue. The front seat passenger was apprehended after a foot pursuit, and was identified as Luke A. Rose,19, of Batavia, N.Y.
A juvenile passenger in the vehicle remained in the back seat after the accident and was detained without incident.
The driver of the vehicle was located about an hour after the accident, behind a business on Apple Tree
Avenue, and was detained without further incident. The driver was identified as Sylvan P. Grayson, 24,
of Le Roy, N.Y.
While a vehicle inventory was being conducted on the Dodge Avenger, a loaded 49M handgun with no serial number, make, or model, was located in the vehicle. Grayson and Rose were both arraigned in CAP court by Judge Rogers and were held on bail.
Sylvan P. Grayson charges:
Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd- PL 265.03(3)
Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd- PL 265.02(1)
Criminal Possession of a Firearm 265.01-B
Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4th/possess Ghost Gun- PL 265.01(9)
Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle 3rd- PL270.25
Obstructing Governmental Administration 2nd- PL 195.05
Grayson was also issued 16 traffic tickets.
Luke A. Rose charges:
Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd- PL 265.03(3)
Criminal possession of a Weapon 4th/Possess Ghost Gun- PL 265.01(9)
Criminal Possession of a Firearm 265.01-B
Deputy Gechell, Deputy Ortiz-speed, Deputy Ryan Mullen, Deputy Stack and K-9 Rayzor, Sergeant
Mathew Clor, and Troopers for the New York State Police assisted Deputy Kipler in the pursuit and
investigation.