(WNY News Now) – DUNKIRK, NY – A Westfield man faces multiple felony and misdemeanor charges following a police pursuit that ended in a crash and drug seizure on Friday night.

Dunkirk Police attempted a traffic stop at approximately 8:53 p.m. on February 7 in the 300 block of Eagle Street. The driver, later identified as Mark C. Baker II, 36, was found to have an active arrest warrant for a probation violation issued by the Erie County Sheriff’s Office. When officers attempted to take Baker into custody, he fled in his vehicle at high speed.

Baker ran multiple stop signs and failed to yield at the intersection of West 6th Street and Eagle Street, where he collided with an eastbound vehicle. The crash caused injuries to the other driver and damaged a fire hydrant, resulting in significant water discharge. Baker then fled on foot but was apprehended by officers east of the crash scene.

A subsequent investigation led to the discovery of more than half an ounce of fentanyl, over an ounce of cocaine, drug paraphernalia, scales, packaging materials, narcotic pills, naloxone strips, and cash indicative of street-level drug sales.

Baker was charged with multiple offenses, including:

• Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd Degree (Class B Felony)
• Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd Degree with Intent to Sell (Class B Felony)
• Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia 2nd Degree (Class A Misdemeanor)
• Reckless Endangerment 2nd Degree (Class A Misdemeanor)
• Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle 3rd Degree (Class A Misdemeanor)
• Resisting Arrest (Class A Misdemeanor)
• Obstructing Governmental Administration 2nd Degree (Class A Misdemeanor)

He also received multiple traffic violations, including reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident with injury, and failure to obey traffic signs.

Following his arrest, Baker was held for arraignment in Dunkirk City Court before Hon. Judge Kuzdale and was remanded to the Chautauqua County Jail on $50,000 cash bail or $100,000 bond. As are all persons accused of a crime, the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Dunkirk Police were assisted by the Fredonia Police Department, Dunkirk Fire Department, Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force, Dunkirk City Public Works, and Ellman’s Garage.

Authorities urge residents to report suspicious or narcotics-related activity by calling the Dunkirk Police Department tip line at 716-363-0313.