Photo from CPD
Photo from CPD
Police are searching for an armed, dangerous and suicidal city man this morning named Matthew O. Perry, according to the Cortland Police Department.
Police believe Perry is armed, said Lt. Michael Strangeway.
“Perry warned officers that he had no intention of returning to prison,” said Strangeway, “and that he would force officers into a violent encounter before he allowed himself to be taken into custody.”
Police are also looking for a white, four-door 2016 Hyundai Sonata sedan, such as the one pictured below, with a license plate of KJY 8581 in connection with Perry’s disappearance.
Perry is facing three new charges — including two felonies — from an arrest Wednesday after he violated an order of protection during a “domestic incident,” said Strangeway in a release.
Previously, Perry was twice convicted of felony charges and if convicted on the latest felony charge he could face a potential 25 years to life sentence as a persistent felony offender, according to state penal law.
“They are pending charges,” said Strangeway. “We have warrants for his arrest.”
About 11:25 a.m., officers spotted Perry in Homer and pursued him through Cortland County, said Strangeway. When Perry’s speeds became too great, officers left off the pursuit in the interest of public safety and contacted the Broome County Sheriff’s Office as Perry was speeding into Broome County.
Broome County officers are now pursuing Perry, he said.
“Our sincere hope, for the safety and well-beng of Matthew and everyone else involved,” said Strangeway, “is that he surrender himself to police and deal with this matter through the legal system.”
Perry is facing charges of felony first-degree criminal contempt, felony criminal family offense and misdemeanor second-degree criminal contempt after Wednesday’s incident.
Perry previously served a year-and-a-half in state prison for felony second-degree attempted criminal mischief and was released in August 2015. Before that, Perry served almost two years for third-degree burglary and first-degree criminal contempt, both felonies, and was released from state prison in March 2009.
If anyone spots Perry, they are urged to call 911.
