Stolen Military-Style Vehicle Leads to Overnight Chase, Officer Injuries, and Major Damage in Utica

UTICA, N.Y. — A chaotic early-morning police pursuit involving a stolen military-style vehicle ended with multiple crashes, injuries to two officers, and significant property damage across several city streets, according to the Utica Police Department.

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Police say that at approximately 2:20 a.m. on April 29, 2026, officers were alerted by a security officer at the Alexander Pirnie Federal Building to a possible vehicle theft. The security officer reported seeing a suspicious male in the area and later confirmed through surveillance footage that a large military-style vehicle parked near 221 Oriskany Street had been entered and driven away.

Officers later located the vehicle on West Street and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. Police say the driver failed to comply, instead maneuvering the vehicle erratically—initially backing up and inching forward before suddenly accelerating toward officers. Several officers were forced to quickly move their vehicles and themselves out of the way to avoid being struck.

The vehicle fled southbound on West Street, turned west onto South Street, then headed south on Genesee Street. On the 200 block of Genesee Street, the vehicle struck and severed a utility pole, ripped a fire hydrant from the ground, and caused significant damage to a building at 287 Genesee Street.

During continued attempts to stop the vehicle, an officer tried to break the driver-side window. As the suspect accelerated away at a high rate of speed, that officer was thrown from the vehicle and injured. The officer was transported to Wynn Hospital for treatment.

The pursuit continued recklessly across all lanes of travel, through Oneida Square, and onto the 1600 block of Genesee Street, where the vehicle ultimately struck a tree. The impact rendered the vehicle inoperable.

Officers again climbed onto the disabled truck and attempted to break its windows to extract the driver. After several moments, the suspect exited the vehicle and struggled with officers before being taken into custody. During that encounter, a second officer suffered significant injuries to his hand and wrist.

The suspect was transported to the Utica Police Department, where he was identified as Daniel Passino-Brazeau, 29, listed as having no known address.

Due to extensive debris and damage, portions of Genesee Street were closed following the incident. As of the time of the police release, Dakin Street to South Street remained closed in both directions.

Passino-Brazeau has been preliminarily charged with:

• Assault in the second degree (two counts)

• Grand larceny in the third degree

• Driving while intoxicated

• Unlawful fleeing a police officer

• Numerous New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law violations

Police say additional charges are likely as the investigation continues.

Both injured officers were treated and released from Wynn Hospital. One officer, who suffered head and body injuries, has been placed out of work for a period of time.

The Utica Police Department credited the federal building security officer for promptly identifying and reporting the theft, and praised officers and supervisors for coordinating traffic control during the pursuit to prevent civilian vehicles and pedestrians from entering the path of the incident. Authorities stated they are grateful that, despite the size of the vehicle and the suspect’s actions, no innocent lives were seriously harmed.