Liverpool Police Officer David Sturtz was on patrol when he observed a vehicle apparently speeding in the southbound lane of Oswego Street shortly before 5 p.m. Friday, March 13.

When Sturtz activated his lights and siren, the vehicle stopped briefly before hurrying off again at a high speed. Sturtz pursued the vehicle until it finally stopped on Electronics Parkway. The driver ran from the vehicle carrying a box, leaving three passengers inside the car.

Sturtz provided the driver’s description to responding units as he remained with the vehicle and its three passengers. The fleeing driver was subsequently apprehended by responding units.  

Sturtz then discovered one new Acer Z-Touch computer in the vehicle and that the box the driver had in his possession was also an Acer Z-Touch computer. Both computers still had the store security harness wrapped around them.Acer Z-Touch computers cost between $300 and $750 each.

The four subjects were transported to the Liverpool Police Department, where Sturtz continued his investigation.  

“His investigation revealed that the two Acer computers had just been stolen from the Wal-Mart in the town of Clay,” said LPD Chief Don Morris. “Two of the four suspects that Officer Sturtz arrested had outstanding warrants from various jurisdictions. They were turned over to the appropriate agencies.”

Morris commended Sturtz’s efforts.

“Your diligence to traffic enforcement led to the recovery of stolen merchandise and the arrest of four suspects, two of which were wanted perpetrators.” Morris wrote in a memo placed in Sturtz’s personnel folder. “Thank you for representing the Liverpool Police Department in such a positive manner.”

CSI unit finds DNA in chandelier burglary

Last October, Liverpool Police investigated a burglary at 101 ½ Birch St., an unoccupied house owned by Liverpool businessman Val Lamont. A chandelier valued at $5,000 had been stolen. 

Chief Morris asked the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office evidence unit to process the burglary scene, and the crime-scene investigators recovered a cigarette butt from the second-floor interior. 

“DNA from the cigarette revealed the suspect to be one Thomas Bailey,” said LPD Sgt. Mike Manns. “Bailey has an extensive criminal history including burglaries.”

LPD Det. William Gabriel arrested Bailey while the suspect was incarcerated in the county’s corrections facility in Jamesville. Bailey was charged with second-degree burglary and third-degree grand larceny. 

“Det. Gabriel obtained a full confession from the defendant,” Manns said. LPD officers Sean Pierce and John Praskey assisted with the investigation.

“This was a good case of teamwork, collecting valuable evidence that otherwise may have been overlooked,” Manns said. “The positive DNA match worked together with Det. Gabriel’s ability to successfully interview the defendant to solve the case.”