On July 20, 2025, at approximately 5:25 p.m., New York State Police in Ithaca arrested Ryan A. Morris, 21, of Pennsville, New Jersey, on charges of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) and Petit Larceny. Authorities report that a Trooper was dispatched to 76 Road in the town of Caroline following a call regarding a person operating a side by side—a type of off-road utility vehicle—allegedly involved in the theft of road signs.
Upon arrival, officers located Morris and immediately noted the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from him. The Trooper requested that Morris perform Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, which he failed, confirming his impairment. Given the results of these tests, Morris was taken into custody and subsequently transported to State Police facility SP Ithaca for further processing.
At the processing facility, a chemical test was administered to determine Morris’s Blood Alcohol Content. His BAC was recorded at 0.17 percent, a level significantly above the legal limit of 0.08 percent enforced in New York State. Due to these circumstances, Morris faces misdemeanor charges for DWI, a serious offense with substantial penalties, including fines, possible incarceration, and mandatory license suspension.
In addition to the DWI charge, Morris was also arrested on suspicion of Petit Larceny, stemming from the incident of alleged theft of road signs. Under New York law, Petit Larceny involves the unlawful taking of property valued at$1,000 or less. The dual charges reflect both the impaired driving incident and the alleged property theft, highlighting the breadth of the offenses in question.
Authorities have issued appearance tickets for Morris to appear in the Caroline Town Court, with the next scheduled court date on August 25, 2025. As this case proceeds through the legal system, Morris, like all individuals accused of a crime, is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The investigation remains active, with police urging anyone with further information regarding the incident to come forward. In their ongoing efforts to ensure community safety and uphold the law, local law enforcement continues to monitor and respond to similar incidents throughout the region.
This arrest serves as a reminder to the community of the severe consequences associated with driving under the influence, as well as the broader impact that related criminal activities, such as petit larceny, can have on public safety and order.
All details provided herein are based on official statements from the New York State Police. Readers are encouraged to follow updates from local authorities as the story develops.
