On Wednesday, August 30th, 2022, at around 11:35 P.M., New York State Police conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 90 near Interstate 81. The driver of the car, Kahari Thomas, 40, refused to comply, and a traffic pursuit ensued. Onondaga County Sheriff’s Air One Helicopter was involved and assisted.
The pursuit entered the city with SPD Officers assisting. Thomas was driving erratic and recklessly. At certain points, ground units suspended the chase with Air One following above. While on the run, Thomas arrived at the Citgo Gas Station at 452 Grant Blvd and forcibly stole a vehicle with three occupants inside. Thomas approached the car and fought with the driver. All the occupants exited, and one occupant was thrown from the vehicle causing a leg injury.
After stealing the car, Thomas drove to 631 S. Geddes Street and crashed into another vehicle. After the crash, he approached the driver of the car he had just collided with and displayed a knife. Thomas then forced the occupants out and stole the car. After stealing this secondary car, Thomas fled in that vehicle.
Officers later observed the suspect driving in the area of Montgomery St., and Raynor St. Ground units resumed the pursuit. The pursuit continued for several minutes and traveled outside the city.
At one point, Onondaga County Sheriff’s Deputies deployed stop sticks. The pursuit eventually came to an end when the suspect vehicle became disabled in the parking lot of Circle K, located at 8220 Cazenovia Road in Manlius.
Thomas was arrested and booked for Robbery in the First Degree, Robbery in the Second Degree, Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, and two counts of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle.
