Ethan McHale

A 21-year-old Gowanda man is facing charges after a vehicle pursuit in the city of Dunkirk on Tuesday evening around 7:15.

City police said Wednesday that Ethan AJ McHale was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, fourth-degree criminal mischief and 20 other vehicle and traffic charges after the incident that began when officers of the Dunkirk Police Department observed a vehicle being operated with switched registration plates.

Officers initiated a vehicle and traffic stop, but McHale did not comply, leading officers on a short pursuit. The vehicle was operated recklessly, without headlights, forcing other vehicles off the road while driving on sidewalks and lawns.

The pursuit came to an end on the 600 block of Park Ave. when McHale’s vehicle collided with a parked vehicle and then struck a marked Dunkirk Police vehicle. McHale was then taken into custody.

There were no injuries as a result of the collisions. McHale was held overnight pending arraignment on the above listed charges and was arraigned by City court Judge Rachel Roberts and released.