On July 10th, Tompkins County Sheriff’s Deputies and Dryden Police Officers apprehended Joshua F. Conklin, 35, of Groton, NY, following a high-speed chase and subsequent foot pursuit.
Deputies and officers spotted Conklin, who was wanted on multiple charges, leaving the Dryden Hotel in a black Ford Mustang. When they attempted to stop him, Conklin fled, leading them on a several mile pursuit into Cortland County and back into Tompkins County.
During the chase, Conklin recklessly drove down Dutcher Road, which was closed for construction. He narrowly avoided hitting construction equipment and crew before losing control and crashing into the woods. Authorities praised the construction equipment operator for his quick thinking and vehicle maneuvering, which assisted in Conklin’s eventual apprehension.
Conklin then fled on foot, leading Deputies on a lengthy foot pursuit before attempting to steal several occupied vehicles on Fall Creek Road. He was finally subdued and taken into custody after being tased. While being processed at the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office, Conklin attempted another escape but was quickly recaptured, again by use of a Taser, while fleeing through the side yard of the Sheriff’s Office.
Conklin’s vehicle was towed from the scene and impounded at the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office pending a search warrant.
On July 12, a search of Conklin’s vehicle revealed approximately 16 ounces of methamphetamine, a modified sawed-off shotgun, a full-length shotgun, and ammunition.
Conklin was wanted for the following charges:
Grand Larceny Fourth Degree
Criminal Possession of Stolen Property Fourth Degree
Criminal Mischief Second Degree
Possession of Burglary Tools
Conspiracy Fifth Degree
Driving While Intoxicated
Grand Larceny Third Degree
Possession of Stolen Property Third Degree
Conklin was initially booked for Escape in the Second Degree (Class E Felony) and remanded to the Tompkins County Jail while the investigation continued.
In the afternoon of July 12, 2024, Conklin was booked on the following charges:
Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree – Class A-II Felony
(Methamphetamine)
Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree – Class C Felony (modified shotgun)
Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree – Class D Felony (X3 counts)
Attempted Grand Larceny in the Third Degree – Class E Felony (motor vehicles)
Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree – Class A Misdemeanor (convicted felon in
possession)
Unlawfully Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree – Class A Misdemeanor
Universal Traffic Tickets (infractions and unclassified misdemeanors)
Conklin has a history of criminal activity. In 2015, he was arrested multiple times for a series of crimes, including burglary, grand larceny, and drug possession. Conklin pled guilty to second-degree attempted burglary and was sentenced to four years in prison, with County Deputy District Attorney Andrew Bonavia moving to terminate two felony charges tied with an Ithaca robbery. During his sentencing, Conklin said, “I’m sorry for what I’ve done and I’ll learn from my mistakes.”
The Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office thanks and were assisted by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), The New York State Police, Village of Dryden Police Department, Village of Groton Police Department, Dryden Ambulance, and the Town of Dryden Department of Public Works.