Man arrested after crashing stolen car

Amherst police have arrested a man during Monday's snowfall who faces several charges after leading police on a car chase.

Kenneth D. Longmire, 40, of Niagara Falls was arrested Monday on Interstate 290 after leading police on a chase that started at the Boulevard Mall. Initially, police were called about Longmire because he was a suspect in a larceny case from the JC Penney Department Store.

When the suspect noticed police, he reportedly fled in a 2001 Ford Focus. Police pursued the vehicle, and the chase ended when Longmire crashed the car into a median on I-290.

Police reported that a glass crack pipe and $1,120 in stolen coats from JC Penney were in the vehicle, which had been stolen in Cheektowaga.

Longmire has been charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle, criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal possession of stolen property - an E felony, criminal possession in connection with the theft of the vehicle, also an E felony, and reckless driving.

Police also reported the act of a good Samaritan who turned in more than $3,000 in cash found in the Wal-Mart parking lot on Niagara Falls Boulevard.

David Schimpf of North Tonawanda returned the money on Monday around 2 p.m. Police reported that two claims have been filed for the money, and they are fingerprinting the envelope for proof of ownership.