Jeremy Rupert, from Oswego, faces vehicle and shoplifting charges after a carsh on 481 near Phoenix Friday night
SALINA -- The man who ran from a car crash on Route 481 at the Phoenix exit now faces lots of charges. 35 year old Jeremy Rupert, from 96 West 6th Street in Oswego, will face both traffic and shoplifting charges.
It started Friday around 7 p.m., when Onondaga County Sheriff Deputies were called to the T.J. Maxx Store in Mattydale for a report of a shoplifting incident. The suspect left the scene before deputies arrived.
A deputy patrolling the Interstate 481 area in North Syracuse spotted a car matching the description of the suspects car from the shoplifting incident. The deputy tried to stop the car, but the suspect sped off --deputies chased the Cadillac northbound on 481 into Oswego County. Due to erratic driving and unsafe speed, a Sheriff's supervisor ended the pursuit, and when the car got off Interstate 481 at the Route 57A exit and crashed into the guardrail, the driver got out of the car and ran into the woods.
As the search was underway, Village Police in Phoenix and State Police were called about a suspicious person and arrested Rupert in a backyard near the Phoenix VFW, about 11pm last night. He is facing speeding and reckless driving charges, as well as unlicensed driving and uninspected vehicle charges, as well as fleeing from the scene. He will also face shoplifting charges for the TJ Maxx incident. Sheriff's deputies say Rupert he faces a petit larceny warrant from Jefferson County.
A woman passenger was left behind at the 481 crash scene.. She suffered non-life threatening injuries and was transported to Oswego Hospital, and is cooperating with investigators, as they put together the case against Rupert.
