On September 26, 2022 at 9:28 PM, Tompkins County Sheriff Deputies observed a 2012 black Mercedes Benz traveling on N. Meadow St in the City of Ithaca with no insurance in effect. Deputies initiated a vehicle stop, but the operator of the Mercedes Benz failed to pull over for the deputies and attempted to evade them at a high rate of speed.
A short time later, the Mercedes Benz came to a stop on Cascadilla St in the City of Ithaca, where the operator of the vehicle began to flee from law enforcement on foot. Deputies did catch up with the operator who threw an object which looked indicative of narcotics use into the Cayuga Lake Inlet. The operator was then apprehended and identified as John Orak, age 54 of Enfield NY. Once in custody, deputies located a white chalky substance that was later identified as crack/cocaine.
Orak was charged with Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer, Obstructing Governmental Administration, Tampering with Physical Evidence, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th Degree, Aggravated Unlicensed Operator in the Third Degree and several Vehicle and Traffic Violations. Due to New York State Bail Reform Laws, Orak was issued his appearance tickets and released to a third party.
