A 43-year-old Kansas City, Missouri man stood along a stretch of the New York State Thruway on Oct. 16 and allegedly hurled rocks and bricks at passing vehicles, damaging at least seven cars before leading troopers on a brief pursuit in a stolen-looking SUV. State Police say John W. McGinn is now facing a lengthy list of charges after the spree stretched across Cayuga and Onondaga counties.
New York State Police received multiple calls that Friday reporting that someone was throwing objects at moving vehicles, according to the Democrat and Chronicle. Troopers determined that McGinn was standing on the Thruway throwing objects believed to be rocks and bricks at passing vehicles, with incidents reported in the towns of Brutus and Salina spanning a several-mile stretch of highway.
Driver Fled, Then Reentered the Highway
Troopers said a driver reportedly fled the area in a 2024 Chevrolet Equinox as the reports came in. The outlet's report notes that troopers later located a vehicle matching that description on the Thruway in Salina, in Onondaga County.
The driver initially stopped for troopers but then reentered the highway and drove erratically, prompting a brief pursuit, the report states. The SUV eventually came to a stop partially in the driving lane and along the fog line, where the driver resisted arrest before troopers took him into custody.
Seven Vehicles Damaged in the Spree
State Police said at least seven vehicles were damaged in the incidents, though the dossier of case details reviewed does not specify the nature of that damage or identify the drivers affected. The New York State Police said the Missouri man accused of throwing bricks and rocks at moving vehicles also led troopers on a brief pursuit before his arrest.
Facing a Stack of Charges
McGinn was charged with three counts of third-degree criminal mischief, a felony, along with nine counts of second-degree reckless endangerment, a misdemeanor. He also faces misdemeanor charges of third-degree unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, resisting arrest, and second-degree obstructing governmental administration, and he was cited for multiple vehicle and traffic law violations.
McGinn was arraigned in Onondaga County Centralized Arraignment Part Court and remanded to the Onondaga County Justice Center. He is being held there pending pickup by authorities in Ohio on an unrelated outstanding warrant.
