Westfield, NY, Schools Locked Down While Deputies Search for Man on the Run

Westfield, New York, schools were locked down and a helicopter and K-9 Unit were called in to help sheriff’s deputies find a man who ran from them while they were conducting a warrant search.

In an e-mail sent to WESB and The HERO, Chautauqua County Sheriff's Deputies say at 9:45 this morning they found 30-year-old Ellis Renfroe of Portland, New York, working at a job site on Grove Street in Westfield. When they approached him, Renfroe ran from them.

Deputies and Westfield Police set up a perimeter around the area and began searching the neighborhood. Deputy Bryan Burmaster and his K-9 partner Falo began searching the area as well. Falo tracked Renfroe behind a home off Cottage Street and targeted a canoe behind the house. Renfroe was hiding under the canoe, but took off again.

Deputies then called a StarFlight helicopter to help them search. They found Renfroe behind Westfield Memorial Hospital and he was taken into custody without further incident.

Renfroe was wanted on felony criminal mischief warrants out of Town of Portland Court. After today’s incident, he’s also charged with resisting arrest. He’s is Chautauqua County Jail without bail.