NORWICH – Cheango County Sheriff Ernest Cutting Jr. reported Thursday that a multi-agency investigation led to the arrest of the suspect wanted for striking a City of Norwich Police Officer with a motor vehicle on the night of February 20, 2023 in the Town of Norwich.

Members of the Chenango County Sheriff's Office, New York State Police and City of Norwich Police began the investigation after it was reported that a City of Norwich Police Officer was struck by a motor vehicle while attempting to take a person with an active warrant into custody on the evening of February 20, 2023. Two male suspects fled the scene in the motor vehicle after striking the officer.

After numerous leads were generated, the driver was identified as New York State Parolee, 43 year old, Hayes Cutting Jr of Bainbridge and the passenger in the vehicle was identified as 28 year old, Jesse J. Dann of Norwich.

On February 22, members of the Chenango County Sheriff's Office and New York State Police responded to a location in the Town of Oneonta after Law Enforcement received information of the possible whereabouts of one of the suspects.

After a two hour search of the reported location of the suspect, Sheriff's and New York State Police members located Hayes A. Cutting Jr. hiding in the ceiling of a building.

Hayes Cutting Jr. was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Chenango County Sheriff's Office and charged with the felonies of Assault in the Second Degree and Tampering with physical Evidence, Misdemeanor charges of Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in the Third Degree and Resisting Arrest.

Hayes Cutting Jr. was held at the Chenango County Correctional Facility on a New York State Parole Warrant and is to appear in the Town of Norwich Court on a later date for the charges relating to the incident.

On February 23 the sheriff's office received information of the second suspect, Jesse J. Dann. Deputies were able to locate Jesse J. Dann inside of a residence on Knapp St in the Village of Sherburne.

Dann was taken into custody without incident. Dann was charged with Assault in the 2nd degree, resisting arrest and tampering with physical evidence. Dann was arraigned in the Town of Norwich Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $50,000 cash bail. Dann is to appear in the Town of Norwich Court at a later date.

Sheriff Cutting stated that this was a well orchestrated investigation with multi-agencies and multi-divisions within the agencies. Sheriff Cutting wanted to recognize the agencies and divisions involved: New York State Police: Troopers , BCI and VGNET, Norwich City Police: Uniformed Officers and Detectives, Chenango County Sheriff's Office: Deputies, Detectives and Dispatchers.

He also said, “It is our resolve to bring justice for the victims of all crimes; especially against those who attack public officials.”

– Information from the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office