SYRACUSE --
Three suspects have been arrested after a robbery turned into a car chase Wednesday night.
Syracuse Police tell CNY Central they were called to a complaint of an armed robbery shortly after 9:00 p.m. at the intersection of Catherine Street and James Street. When officers attempted to stop a white Chevrolet SUV suspected to be part of the robbery, the driver took off, leading police on a chase through the city's south side.
Police say the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office and State Troopers assisted in the chase once the driver left city limits and entered neighboring Nedrow. Police say the driver then continued south on Interstate 81 toward Lafayette, before turning around and heading back north toward Syracuse.
Sheriff's deputies put down stop sticks on I-81 north near Nedrow, disabling the vehicle and preventing it from going any further. Highway traffic was backed up for a few minutes while officers took the suspects into custody.
Thursday morning, police identified the suspects involved in the chase as 19-year-old Alex Torrence of East Genesee Street in Syracuse, 20-year-old Jarrett Johnson of Empire Avenue in Syracuse, and 34-year-old Torrence Jackson of South State Street in Syracuse. Police say all three have been charged with felony first degree robbery and first degree criminal use of a firearm. Police also say Jackson was charged with reckless operation, aggravated unlicensed operation, imprudent speed, and failure to comply, as he was allegedly the driver of the SUV.
Police say no one was injured during the chase. All three suspects are being held in the Onondaga County Justice Center pending arraignment in Syracuse City Court Thursday.
Police say their investigation into the robbery and chase is continuing.
10:40 p.m. update:
The left lane of 81 North is back open at the Nedrow exit after police activity Wednesday night. The right lane is still blocked.
Police have not released any information about what started the police chase.
Original Story:
Neighbors along South Salina Street in Syracuse and those in Nedrow just south of the city are taking notice of a flurry of police activity in the last half hour.
Several of them have called the newsroom to report at least 20 police cruisers passing by on South Salina Street in an apparent chase. Route 81 North at Nedrow is now closed.
The sheriff's air one helicopter is also involved. At this point Syracuse Police are aware of a situation, but are still waiting for details to pass them along to us.
