On January 4, 2021 at 4:56 PM, Tompkins County Sheriff’s Deputies stopped a gray 2003 Mercedes Benz for no insurance on Warren Road in the Town of Ithaca. Deputies identified the driver of the Mercedes as Umar J. Chatman, age 42 of Ithaca, NY. While interviewing Chatman, deputies smelled the odor of marijuana emanating from within Chatman’s vehicle. Deputies asked Chatman to exit the vehicle and Chatman put his car in drive and fled south on Warren Road.
Shortly after Chatman fled, deputies located Chatman’s crashed Mercedes at the intersection of Warren and Hanshaw Road. Chatman ran the stop sign/flashing light at the intersection of Warren and Hanshaw Road and struck a black 2008 Volvo sedan in the intersection. Deputies observed Chatman exit his Mercedes and flee on foot. Chatman was apprehended shortly after with assistance from the Cayuga Heights Police Department. The driver of the 2008 Volvo sustained minor injuries.
Chatman was charged with Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree (D Felony), Unlawfully Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree (Class A Misdemeanor), Reckless Driving (Unclassified Misdemeanor), Leaving the Scene of a Personal Injury Accident (Unclassified Misdemeanor) and Uninsured Motor Vehicle (Traffic Infraction). Chatman was arraigned and remanded to the Tompkins County Jail without bail.
