(WNY News Now) – A 26-year-old man from Little Valley is facing multiple charges after leading Dunkirk Police on a dangerous vehicle pursuit through city streets on Tuesday evening.
DUNKIRK, N.Y. — On June 17, 2025, at approximately 7:00 p.m., officers from the Dunkirk Police Department attempted to stop a vehicle near Park Avenue and East 3rd Street after identifying the driver as Philip A. Decker, 26, who had active bench warrants issued by Dunkirk City Court.
According to police, Decker failed to comply with the traffic stop and fled the scene at a high rate of speed, initiating a pursuit that extended through the City of Dunkirk and into the Village of Fredonia. The chase ended when Decker drove down a dead-end street and attempted to flee further by driving across residential lawns.
Officers approached the vehicle after it temporarily stopped, but Decker allegedly reversed rapidly, nearly striking several officers. In response, one officer successfully deployed a taser through the vehicle’s open window, allowing police to remove Decker from the car. Despite continued resistance, Decker was taken into custody a short time later.
A search of the vehicle revealed a quantity of cocaine and drug paraphernalia. Decker was transported to Dunkirk Police Headquarters, where he was processed on the bench warrant and new charges stemming from the pursuit.
He is charged with the following:
- Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree (felony)
- Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle (misdemeanor)
- Obstruction of Governmental Administration in the Second Degree (misdemeanor)
- Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree (misdemeanor)
- Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree (misdemeanor)
- Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree (misdemeanor)
- Reckless Driving (misdemeanor)
- Numerous traffic violations
Decker was arraigned before Hon. Judge Rachel Roberts and remanded to the Chautauqua County Jail on $250,000 bail pending further court proceedings. As are all persons accused of a crime, the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The Dunkirk Police Department’s 3–11 patrol shift was assisted by the Fredonia Police Department, Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, and the Chautauqua County District Attorney’s Office.
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