FREDONIA, N.Y. (AP) — A western New York man has been indicted on charges he tried to kill a sheriff's deputy.

A preliminary hearing had been planned Thursday for 21-year-old Justin Haffa, of Cheektowaga (cheek-tuh-WAH'-guh), who faces charges of attempted murder and assault.

WIVB-TV reports (http://bit.ly/2cOhDTc ) the hearing was cancelled after a Chautauqua (shuh-TAH'-kwah) County Grand Jury voted to indict him.

Authorities say a deputy responding to a traffic accident over the weekend in the town of Pomfret suspected Haffa was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. They say Haffa pulled out a knife as the deputy was giving him a sobriety test, then wrestled her gun away when she tried to defend herself, and fled. He was arrested hours later.

It wasn't immediately known if Haffa has an attorney.

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Information from: WIVB-TV, http://www.wivb.com

[STORY BY: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]

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