Wanted Fugitive Caught After Wild Joyride at Verona Beach State Park

VERONA, NY — A summer evening at Verona Beach State Park took a chaotic turn when a man reportedly stole a car, drove it recklessly through a crowded parking lot, and turned out to be a wanted fugitive.

State Police were called to the park around 6:09 p.m. on June 28, 2025, for a complaint about the unauthorized use of a vehicle. When they arrived, they found the vehicle parked, surrounded by fresh skid marks. The owner told troopers that while she was in the water, 33-year-old Joel M. Emerson of Oneida, took her car without permission and drove it erratically through the lot.

A State Park Ranger confirmed witnessing the dangerous joyride.

When troopers approached Emerson, they immediately noticed signs of impairment and a strong smell of burnt marijuana coming from both him and the vehicle. After failing field sobriety tests, Emerson was arrested and charged with:

• Driving While Impaired by Drugs (Misdemeanor)

• Aggravated Unlicensed Operation 1st (Class E Felony)

• Driving Without a License (Infraction)

But the story didn’t end there. During processing, troopers discovered Emerson had a full-extradition warrant out of Texas for assaulting a public servant and attempting to take an officer’s weapon.

Emerson was turned over to the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation as a Fugitive from Justice and transported to the Oneida County Jail for arraignment.

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