CLARENCE, N.Y. — An Akron man is facing a slew of charges after a search that closed Clarence schools Wednesday.

David Cottom Sr. (Courtesy: ECSO)

The Erie County Sheriff's Office says it all started when a speeding vehicle nearly hit a sheriff's vehicle along Main Street in Clarence.

Deputies say David Cottom Sr., 50, was allegedly behind the wheel and left the scene.

Authorities started searching the area near Pineledge Drive and Winding Lane.

During the search, deputies say they received a call for a stolen vehicle.

That vehicle was later spotted in Buffalo, allegedly driven by Cottom.

Among the charges Cottom faces are unlawful fleeing from police, reckless driving and aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle, all misdemeanors, as well as felony counts of grand larceny and criminal mischief.