A Candor man is facing several charges after the Broome County Sheriff's Office says he stole a vehicle and a handgun in Pennsylvania and led police on a chase through Broome County.

Police were alerted to a stolen 2015 Chevrolet Silverado fleeing authorities in the Town of Union Monday afternoon. A traffic stop was attempted on Bradley Creek Road, but the driver continued on. At the intersection of Pitkin Hill Road and Fredericks Road, the vehicle slowed enough and two juvenile females exited the truck.

The chase continued until the truck became stuck in the mud in the yard of a Town of Maine residence near the corner of Haskins Road and Bradley Creek Road. The driver, 21-year-old Samuel J. Pierce of Candor, was taken into custody. The sheriff's office says a loaded 9mm handgun was found in the truck and both the truck and gun were reported stolen from Lawton, Pennsylvania earlier on Monday.

Pierce was charged with following:

  • Criminal Possession of a Weapon, Loaded in the 2nd degree
  • Criminal Possession of a Weapon with a Previous Conviction in the 3rd degree
  • Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 4th degree
  • Criminal Possession of Stolen Property/Vehicle in the 4th degree
  • Criminal Possession of a Firearm/Knife in the 4th degree
  • Unlawful Fleeing a Police Office in the 3rd degree
  • Reckless Endangerment in the 2nd degree
  • 17 Various Traffic Violations including Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle with 3 or more open suspensions.

In addition to the above charges, it was discovered Pierce had an outstanding warrant out of Tioga County for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Sell.

Pierce was arraigned and remanded to the Broome County Correctional Facility. The two female juveniles were found to be in possession of small quantities of methamphetamine and were charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th degree.