4 arrested on meth charges after wild chase from Dryden to Cortland

Dryden, N.Y. — Four people have been arrested on meth charges after trying to escape law enforcement early Saturday morning, according to the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office.

The suspects, who deputies tried to stop on East Main Street in the village of Dryden, managed to flee all the way to Cortland County before driving their stolen vehicle off the roadway.

Sheriff’s deputies arrested three of the suspects in the car. One of them — driver Brian K. Mahan — tried running away, but was found walking on Interstate 81 in Virgil and arrested.

Around 2:16 a.m., sheriff’s deputies tried stopping a green Chevrolet Prism that didn’t yield to deputies’ emergency lights and sirens. That set off the chase that ended in Cortland and Virgil.

The following people have been arrested and charged:

— Jennifer R. Castro, age 39 of Mineah Road in Freeville, charged with third degree Unlawful Manufacture of Methamphetamine, a felony.

— Luke I. Morrow, age 19 of West Main Street in Dryden, charged with third degree Unlawful Manufacture of Methamphetamine, a felony.

— Mahan, age 41 of Bills Way in Freeville charged with third degree Unlawful Manufacture of Methamphetamine, a felony; Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle, a misdemeanor; Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree; and Reckless driving.

Mahan was also arrested on a warrant handled on July 9. Mahan was accused of leading the sheriff’s deputies in a pursuit in the town of Lansing. He has also been charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the Third Degree; Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree; and Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree.

— A fourth person was also arrested and charged with unlawful meth making but his or her name is not being released because of his or her age.

All four individuals were arraigned in the Town of Dryden Court.