February 26, 2026 - Narcotics Arrest

On February 26, 2026, at approximately 7:25 p.m., Tompkins County Sheriff’s Deputies and Ithaca Police Officers assigned to the G.I.V.E. (Gun Involved Violence Elimination) Grant detail observed a suspicious vehicle operating inside the Green Street Parking Garage at 126 E. Green Street in the City of Ithaca.  Officers noted several dismantled e‑bicycles protruding from the vehicle’s trunk.

Deputies and officers approached and identified the driver as Joshua Rutan, 42, of Ithaca, New York.  Further investigation determined Rutan’s driver’s license had been revoked.  He was taken into custody by the Ithaca Police Department, and narcotics were located on his person following his arrest.

The passenger was identified as Tyler Crainey, 38, of Ithaca, New York.  A subsequent search of the vehicle by Tompkins County Sheriff’s Deputies and Ithaca Police Officers led to the discovery of a small scale, which Crainey claimed as his property.  Crainey then produced additional narcotics from his person for officers on scene.

A further search revealed several individually tied plastic baggies containing multiple Xanax pills.  Crainey was taken into custody by Tompkins County Sheriff’s Deputies and transported to the Public Safety Building.

Crainey was charged with:

He was remanded to the Tompkins County Jail pending centralized arraignment.