AFTON – Members of the Chenango County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Division chased a fleeing vehicle with two passengers – one passenger jumped out of the vehicle and was chased by foot and the other by car – and both were arrested for possession of heroin with intent to sell it.

CCSO Narcotics Division attempted to make a traffic stop on a 1997 Toyota Rav 4 on Feb. 27 at approximately 11:18 a.m. in the Village of Afton.

The Toyota was being operated by John D. Tipler, 50 of Afton.

When the CCSO Narcotics Division tried to pull Tipler over, Tipler did not stop his vehicle; instead he turned onto Commercial Street.

After Tipler turned onto Commercial Street, the passenger of the Toyota, Brandon M. Birch, 27 of Harpursville, immediately jumped out of the passenger side of the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.

A CCSO detective chased Birch on foot, before catching him and taking him into custody.