ROME, N.Y. (WKTV) - A wanted fugitive is now in custody, but a Utica Police Investigator was injured in the process.

According to the United States Marshals Service NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force, Gregory C. Brown, 27, was wanted by Norwich Police on a charge of first-degree robbery, and authorities say they recently learned he was staying in the City of Rome.

At roughly 2:30 p.m. on Monday, June 4, investigators saw Brown in the passenger seat of a 2005 Ford Explorer being driven by Kia Robinson and headed west on Erie Boulevard. As the vehicle turned north onto Madison Street, Task Force vehicles attempted to stop the vehicle at the intersection of Madison Street and West Dominick Street.

As Task Force members approached the vehicle, authorities say Robinson began to drive away, striking Task Force Investigator William Williams of the Utica Police Department with her vehicle in the process.

Fugitive Task Force members, Rome Police and Oneida County Drug Task Force members all followed Robinson as she attempted to elude police, who say they watched numerous items being thrown from Robinson's vehicle during the pursuit.

Those items were recovered by Rome Police and Task Force members and authorities say they were later identified to be heroin and crack cocaine. At one point, as Robinson was fleeing from police, she stopped her vehicle long enough to allow Brown to exit the vehicle and flee on foot.

Police say they watched Brown exit the vehicle and a foot chase then ensued.

Brown was seen by Task Force members entering 523 Expense Street and a perimeter was immediately established around this residence. Task Force members located Brown attempting to hide in the attic of this residence and he was taken into custody without further incident, authorities said.

Robinson was stopped by Task Force members and uniformed Rome Police officers in the 200 block of Levitt Street and was also taken into custody without further incident, authorities said.

According to officials, a total of 20 grams of heroin and 5.3 grams of crack cocaine were seized during the arrest.

As a result of striking Investigator Williams with her vehicle and then fleeing from police, Robinson was charged by Rome Police with second-degree assault, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident and reckless driving, as well as numerous vehicle and traffic violations.

Both Brown and Robinson face additional charges in Rome as a result of this incident, authorities said.

Investigator Williams was treated and released from Rome Memorial Hospital as a result of injuries suffered when he was struck by Robinson's vehicle.


The following agencies participated in this investigation:

United States Marshals Service- Utica Field Office
Oneida County Sheriff's Office- Warrants Unit and Patrol Division
Utica Police Department- Warrants Unit
Oneida County Probation Department
NY State Police- Violent Felonies Warrants Unit
Rome Police Department -detective Division and Patrol Division
Oneida County Drug Task Force.