(WNY News Now) – A traffic stop attempt in Salamanca led to a high-speed pursuit and the arrests of two Little Valley men by Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s deputies.
LITTLE VALLEY, NY — The Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office has reported the arrests of two men following a vehicle pursuit that began in Salamanca and ended in the Town of Coldspring on May 5, 2025.
According to Sheriff Eric A. Butler, deputies responded around 11:32 p.m. after Salamanca Police attempted to stop a vehicle that fled northbound from Center Street onto Route 353. Deputies soon spotted the suspect vehicle speeding through the Village of Little Valley and failing to stop at a stop sign.
Deputies pursued the vehicle as it continued to flee at a high rate of speed. The pursuit concluded when the driver lost control and crashed in a field at the intersection of Tyler Whitmore Road and Lebanon Road in the Town of Coldspring.
The driver, identified as Austin J. Harkins, 24, of Little Valley, was charged with the following offenses:
- Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle (PL 270.25)
- Reckless Driving (V&T 1212)
- Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended License (V&T 511-1a)
- Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign (V&T 1172-a)
- Speeding (V&T 1180-a, 1180-d)
Harkins was processed and released with an appearance ticket.
Also arrested was Devin M. Frisicaro, 29, also of Little Valley, after it was discovered that he had a violation of parole warrant issued through the NYS Department of Corrections. He was taken to the Cattaraugus County Jail, where he is being held.
As are all persons accused of a crime, the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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