A Port Byron man who allegedly tried to run down a sheriff's deputy had a charge of attempted murder dismissed Friday but still faces two serious felony charges.
Dale Rigby, 39, of 3 Bells Way, was arrested Monday after police say he led them on a chase that began in Wayne County and ended on East Lake Road in Conquest. The Wayne County Sheriff's Department said that one of its deputies, George Lorenz, was forced to fire at Rigby's vehicle when Rigby ended up on a dead-end road, turned around and drove directly at the officer.
Wayne County authorities originally charged Rigby with attempted murder, but Cayuga County District Attorney Jon Budelmann said that the Wayne County charge was dropped Friday in the Town of Huron Court and that Rigby was arraigned later in the day in the Town of Brutus on charges of attempted assault and attempted aggravated assault on a police officer.
“We're charging intent to cause serious physical injury to a police officer,” Budelmann said. “Both (charges) carry a potential 15 years in prison.”
Budelmann said that Lorenz had gotten out of his patrol car because he believed Rigby would try to run away after coming to the end of the dead-end road after a 40-minute chase. But Rigby, Budelmann said, turned around and “floored the van, aiming right at (Lorenz),” who was standing in the road in front of his patrol car.
Police said Lorenz fired nine shots at Rigby's vehicle, striking two tires. Police said Rigby then lost control of the van, crashed on the side of the road and tried to run away before being subdued by the Lorenz's police dog.
“It was very dangerous,” Budelmann said. “He was at risk of getting hit by a full-size van. It's a good thing it wasn't any worse.”
Rigby was taken to the Cayuga County Jail Friday and held on $50,000 cash or $100,000 bond.
Wayne County authorities originally charged Rigby with attempted murder, but Cayuga County District Attorney Jon Budelmann said that the Wayne County charge was dropped Friday in the Town of Huron Court and that Rigby was arraigned later in the day in the Town of Brutus on charges of attempted assault and attempted aggravated assault on a police officer.
“We're charging intent to cause serious physical injury to a police officer,” Budelmann said. “Both (charges) carry a potential 15 years in prison.”
Budelmann said that Lorenz had gotten out of his patrol car because he believed Rigby would try to run away after coming to the end of the dead-end road after a 40-minute chase. But Rigby, Budelmann said, turned around and “floored the van, aiming right at (Lorenz),” who was standing in the road in front of his patrol car.
Police said Lorenz fired nine shots at Rigby's vehicle, striking two tires. Police said Rigby then lost control of the van, crashed on the side of the road and tried to run away before being subdued by the Lorenz's police dog.
“It was very dangerous,” Budelmann said. “He was at risk of getting hit by a full-size van. It's a good thing it wasn't any worse.”
Rigby was taken to the Cayuga County Jail Friday and held on $50,000 cash or $100,000 bond.
