Dansville Man Calls 911, Arrested for New Year’s Car Crash, Break-In, Fist Fight

WEST SPARTA – A Dansville resident had a rough start to the new year when he called 911 in the early hours of New Year’s Day only to be arrested by the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office for allegedly driving while intoxicated, breaking into a house, and punching one of the residents inside.

According to a press release from Undersheriff Matthew Bean, Cory Chapman, 29, was charged with felony DWI, felony Burglary in the Second Degree, and misdemeanor Assault in the Third Degree.

Chapman called 911 at 2:04 a.m. on Jan. 1, claiming that someone had robbed him of his cell phone and that he had crashed his vehicle on McKay Road in West Sparta.

After investigating, Deputies and investigators instead alleged that Chapman had crashed his vehicle in a ditch, entered a familiar nearby residence without permission, and was forcibly removed from the home during a fight with one of the residents. The resident was known to Chapman.

Chapman’s cell phone apparently left his possession during the altercation and he walked next door to call 911.

Chapman was arraigned in the Town of West Sparta Court and was remanded to the Livingston County Jail on $5,000 cash bail.

The on-scene investigation was conducted by the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office Road Patrol, the Forensic Identification Unit and Criminal Investigation Division. Also assisting at the scene was the New York State Police.