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Alabama

Passenger in vehicle at scene of property damage accident left behind

By Billie Owens

A property damage accident is reported on Sand Hill Road, on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation. The driver of the vehicle which reportedly struck the involved property fled northbound in a green Chevy Astro van. But the driver left his or her passenger at the scene.

Lost hunter reported off Judge Road

By Billie Owens

A hunter is lost in the woods somewhere off the dead end of Judge Road in Alabama. Emergency dispatch is in phone contact with him and help is on the way to try and locate him.

UPDATE 2:18 p.m.: Just around the bend, on Feeder Road, he says he parked his green Subaru and went into the woods across the road from where it's parked. That's in the Tonawanda State Wildlife Management Area.

UPDATE 2:22 p.m.: The hunter is said to possibly be walking along where power lines are strung up. Law enforcement is going to sound their sirens at the junction of Feeder and Judge.

UPDATE 2:25 p.m.: The hunter can hear the siren. They are going to turn their lights on to help guide him, but the area "is pretty dense" with trees.

UPDATE 2:45 p.m.: Dispatch has lost phone contact with the hunter and hope he's able to call them back.

UPDATE 2:57 p.m.: About five minutes ago, an officer said "We have the subject and we're taking him to his vehicle and we'll be clear." It's not clear if this statement pertains to the hunter. If not, of course, we'll update further.

OA varsity volleyball team holds game to benefit breast cancer research

By Billie Owens

The Oakfield-Alabama Hornets Volleyball Team will be hosting a Dig Pink Volleyball game at 5:30 p.m.on Friday, Oct. 5. The varsity match starts at 6.

There will be a 50/50 raffle, serving contest, and refreshments. Admission to the game will be donation only. All proceeds will go to the Side Out Foundation to support breast cancer research.

Event Date and Time
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Law and Order: A fire and two arrests on Summit Street over the weekend

By Howard B. Owens

Brandon M. Maldonado, 24, of 146 Summit St., Batavia, was arrested on warrants for alleged petit larceny and criminal mischief. Maldonado was located at the scene of the fire Sunday night at 140 Summit St.

Bethani M. Dibble, 20, of 146 Summit St., Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and leaving the scene of a property damage accident. Dibble allegedly drove her vehicle into the porch and fence of her residence and then left the scene of the accident at 2:38 a.m., Saturday.

Daniel E. King, 36, of 2058 Phelps Road, Basom, is charged with petit larceny and harassment, 2nd. King is accused of stealing a can of Mike's Hard Lemonade from a convenience store on West Main Street and then hitting the store manager when confronted.

Daryl R. Hamler, 18, of 6786 Westcott Road, Le Roy, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Hamler was charged after allegedly being found in possession of marijuana while driving through a DWI checkpoint on Clinton Street.

Alicia M. Stanwick, 21, of 318 E. Main St., Apt. 2, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and inadequate stop lamps. Stanwick was stopped at 1:36 a.m., Sunday, on Main Street, Batavia, by Officer Marc Lawrence.

Katelyn Louise Hodgins, 24, of Pringle Avenue, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, driving left of pavement markings and open container. Hodgins was stopped at 1:17 a.m., Saturday, on Seven Springs Road, Batavia, by Sgt. Greg Walker.

Thomas Allen Pfalzer, 45, of Harper Road, Darien, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, driving while on a mobile phone, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle and unlawful stopping or parking in the roadway. Pfalzer was allegedly located at 2:04 a.m., Saturday, in his vehicle stopped on Sumner Road, Darien, talking on his mobile phone. Upon investigation by Deputy Jason Saile, Pfalzer was allegedly found to be intoxicated.

Darrell Jerrod Holloway, 44, of Crowydon Road, Rochester, was arrested on a bench warrant for alleged failure to pay a fine. Holloway was taken into custody following his release from the Elmira Correctional Facility, where he was held on an unrelated matter. Holloway was jailed pending a court appearance.

Tyanna Desiree Green, 17, of Lewis Place, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Green allegedly stole two CDs from Kmart.

At half-time, Blue Devils and Hornell tied 14 to 14

By Billie Owens

At half-time, the football game between between the Batavia Blue Devils and Hornell is tied 14 to 14.

Hornell came into the game with 43 straight consecutive wins.

Look for complete coverage Saturday.

UPDATE 8:54 p.m.: Complete coverage is currently available via WBTA radio.

UPDATE: At end of third, Hornell 20 to 14.

UPDATE: Final, 30-14.

Law and Order: Traffic stop yield baggies of alleged marijuana, alleged illegal immigrant

By Howard B. Owens

Laurie J. Lerkins, 35, of 8 Erie St., Le Roy, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Lerkins was reportedly driving a vehicle stopped on Wolcott Street by Le Roy PD early Saturday morning for alleged broken tail lamp. Upon investigation, officers found Lerkins allegedly possessed multiple small bags of marijuana. During the stop, police identified Jose Del Carmen Hernandez-Zarate, 26, and with the assistance of the Border Patrol determined Hernandez-Zarate, who was reportedly working on a farm in East Bethany, was in the country illegally. Hernandez-Zarate was turned over to the Border Patrol for immigration proceedings.

Laszlo Szabo, 59, of 8687 Keeney Road Le Roy, is charged with felony DWI, aggravated driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and improper right turn. Szabo was observed Sunday night making an allegedly wide right turn of Mill Street onto Lake Street, crossing fully in to the oncoming traffic lane. Szabo was stopped by Le Roy PD and subsequently arrested.

Booker T. Ricks III, 41, of 7 Chestnut St., Apt. #1, Batavia, is  charged with criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation. Ricks was allegedly involved in a domestic incident and is accused of choking a victim.

John W. Williams III, 20, of 8170 Batavia Stafford Townline Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, improper right turn, uninspected vehicle and unlicensed operator. Williams was stopped at 2:09 a.m., Sunday, on West Main Street, Batavia, by Sgt. Dan Coffey.

Joseph Alan Home, 21, of West 5th Street, Erie, Pa., is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Home was stopped for allegedly speeding at 8:35 p.m., Sunday, on Ellicott Street Road, Batavia, by Sgt. Greg Walker. Home was allegedly found in possession of marijuana.

Raymond Kyle Jonathan, 23, of Bloomingdale Road, Alabama, was arrested on bench warrants related to charges of DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and aggravated unlicensed operation. Jonathan was arrested at his place of employment in Clarence and jailed on $250 cash bail or $1,000 bond.

Miguel Angel Valencia, 37, of Halfianen Street, Grand Junction, Colo., was arrested as a fugitive from justice. Valencia was an inmate at the Buffalo Federal Detention Center in Batavia. Valencia is wanted in California on a child molestation charge. Valencia was arraigned and jailed without bail awaiting extradition.

Jerrell Jordan Travis Jones, 24, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to pay fine. Jones was arrested upon his release from the Genesee County Jail, where he was held on an unrelated matter. Jones was arraigned on the charge and released.

Robert L. Murray, 36, of Darien, is charged with felony DWI. Murray was stopped by troopers Sunday on Route 5 in Batavia. Murray's BAC was allegedly .15, according to State Police.

Dylan T. Rotella, 19, of Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. A trooper reportedly came upon an unoccupied vehicle with its doors open outside a Batavia business and upon locating and interviewing Rotella, it was determined he allegedly possessed marijuana.

Robert L. Knight, 44, of Rochester, is charged with petit larceny, criminal impersonation and consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle. Troopers responded Saturday to a report of a subject trying to steal scrap metal from Bergen Auto Recycling. Employees of the business detained Knight briefly until troopers arrived. Upon arrival, troopers determined Knight allegedly hid scrap metal in the trunk of his vehicle. When interviewed, Knight allegedly provided troopers with a false name. He was jailed on $1,000 bail. Robert L. Knight Jr., 18, of Rochester, was determined to be the alleged driver of the vehicle and he was charged with unregistered motor vehicle, uninsured motor vehicle, switched plates, and operating without a driver’s license.

Grand Jury Report: Man accused of violating court order, injuring and threatening woman

By Howard B. Owens

Robert P. Leiser Jr., is indicted on three counts of aggravated criminal contempt in the first degree, two counts of assault in the second degree, reckless endangerment in the second degree and criminal contempt in the first degree. Leiser is accused of causing serious physical injury to a person under protection of a court order on July 24 in the Town of Alabama. He is accused of hitting the person with a flashlight causing serious physical injury. He is also accused of driving in a reckless manner, at a high rate of speed and without obeying traffic devices, with that person on a motorcycle while the protected person was not wearing a helmet. He is also accused of threatening that person with a flashlight.

Bradley J. Broadbent is indicted on three counts of criminal mischief in the fourth degree, criminal trespass, burglary in the second degree and petit larceny. Broadbent is accused of damaging ceilings in three bathrooms and the sink in one bathroom at the Liberty Square office complex at between 3 and 3:30 p.m., July 6. On the same date, at 4:05 p.m., Broadbent is accused of damaging the door frame and door plate of an apartment on Hutchins Street. He is accused of entering that dwelling without permission. On the same date at 8:13 p.m., he is accused of damaging the exterior door of a residence on Tracy Avenue. He is accused of entering that residence with the intent of committing a crime once inside. He is accused of stealing a pair of shorts and a Buffalo Bills blanket from the residence.

Connie L. King is indicted on a misdemeanor charge of DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and aggravated unlicensed operation. King is accused of driving drunk May 28 on Dodgeson Road, Alexander. She was previously convicted of driving while ability impaired in June 2009 in the Town of Batavia.

The grand jury also returned a "no bill" (meaning, the grand jury found insufficient evidence to sustain the charges) in the case of Leeann Marchese, who was accused of burglary in the second degree. The charge stemmed from an incident in the Town of Stafford on April 3.

Pole fire on Kenyon Avenue, Alabama

By Billie Owens

A pole fire and possible transformer fire are reported at 7323 Kenyon Ave. Alabama Fire Department is responding.

UPDATE 8:05 p.m.: The scene has been turned over to National Grid. Alabama is back in service.

Trio of barking huskies prompts complaint

By Billie Owens

An officer is responding to 1371 Lewiston Road, Alabama, for a complaint of dogs barking ceaselessly. The nearest crossroads are Alleghany Road and Church Street. There are reportedly three Siberian huskies on the property.

UPDATE 6:38 p.m.: "The owner has been advised. All FOUR dogs are licensed," the officer reports to dispatch, adding that now she's headed to Oakfield for the stray Great Dane.

Man accused of sexual abuse pleads not guilty, bail reduced

By Howard B. Owens

An Alabama man indicted on 28 counts of sexual abuse with alleged acts going back 13 years entered a not guilty plea and had his bail reduced in county court this morning.

Earl Francis Sprague, 42, of Church Street, Alabama, can get of jail pending further court proceedings if he can come up with $25,000 cash or secure a $50,000 bond.

He was being held on $50,000 cash or $500,000 bond.

Under a review system developed by attorneys and judges that helps determine a defendant's suitability for release under supervision or some level of bail, Sprague scored 11 points out of 20 possible.

Normally, 11 points would make Sprague eligible for supervised release. But given the possible lengthy prison term for Sprague if convicted of more than one count of the lengthy indictment, and a prior offense when Sprague was a youth, Noonan said some level of bail was appropriate to help assure Sprague's appearance at future court dates.

Attorney William Harper argued that his client had no adult criminal convictions, though he did have a probation violation in 2009 (his last previous contact with law enforcement).

Harper also said Sprague had some "dim hope" of retaining his current job if he were able to make bail, though Harper acknowledged the current accusations against Sprague diminished his chances of keeping that job.

He said, however, Sprague was considered a good employee.

District Attorney Lawrence Friedman said that while the person who conducted the bail evaluation scored Sprague at 11 points, she wouldn't have had access to Sprague's youthful offender status records. As a youthful offender, Sprague was accused of what Friedman said was charged under the former sodomy statute at the time and convicted of sexual abuse. That was in 1986.

"That is a relevant factor," Friedman said. "He also expressed a use of alcohol and marijuana."

Friedman requested no modification in the bail status for Sprague.

Noonan noted that if Sprague is convicted of multiple counts of the indictment, he would face possible consecutive prison terms on each count.

Sprague is accused of sexually abusing a single child victim over a period of years starting in 1999.

Vehicle on fire, possible serious injury following accident on Bloomingdale Road, Basom

By Howard B. Owens

A car reportedly hit a dump truck and is on fire in the area of 1151 Bloomingdale Road, Basom.

Initially, there was reported entrapment, but now dispatchers have been told the person is out of the vehicle, but is seriously injured.

Mercy Flight is in route with an eight minute ETA.

Alabama Fire Department and Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 8:58 a.m.: Mercy Flight in route to ECMC.

UPDATE 9:58 a.m.: Alabama fire back in service.

UPDATE 11:29 a.m. (Photos and information provided by Alicia Kaus): The pickup truck was driven by Charles Scorse, 22, of Hamlin. Scorse was reportedly heading to the reservation to buy cigarettes after working all night in Greece and he fell asleep. His truck hit a Waste Management garbage truck that was stopped to pick up residential trash. The WM worker told Scorse to get out of his vehicle, that it was on fire. Scorse managed to get out, stumble across the road and collapse. The truck then burst into flames. He was taken by Mercy Flight to ECMC. The WM worker was uninjured.


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Grand Jury indicts Alabama man on 28 counts of sexual abuse

By Howard B. Owens

Earl Francis Sprague, 42, of 1366 Church St., Alabama, who was arrested over the weekend on two charges of sexual abuse has been indicted on 26 such Class D felonies by a Genesee County Grand Jury.

The indictment alleges sexual abuse in the first degree against a child under age 11 on 28 separate occasions from 1999 through 2009.

Sprague, who is accused of abusing a single victim, was also charged with endangering the welfare of a child, a Class A misdemeanor.

Alabama man accused of first abusing child 13 years ago

By Howard B. Owens

A 42-year-old Alabama man has been charged with two counts of sex abuse in the first degree for allegedly abusing a child.

The alleged abuse was first reported recently, but the initial allegation goes back to 1999, when the child was of preschool age.

Investigators suspect there were more alleged incidents of abuse in the following years against a single victim, but the initial two counts cover alleged incidents in 1999.

Additional charges are pending against Earl Francis Sprague, a Church Street resident in the Town of Alabama.

The alleged abuse took place at another location in Genesee County.

According to the Sheriff's Office press release the child was "in the care" of Sprague at the time of the alleged abuse.

Sprague was arraigned in Town of Alabama Court and jailed on $50,000 bail.

Man succombs to injuries following one-car accident on Shanks Road, Alabama

By Howard B. Owens

The Sheriff's Office is investigating a Monday evening accident in the Town of Alabama that claimed the life of a 64-year-old resident of Akron.

Stanley J. Myka, of Bloomingdale Road, was pronounced dead at UMMC after the 2008 PT Cruiser he was driving left the roadway on Shanks Road and struck a utility pole.

No cause for the accident has been determined.

The accident was reported at at 7:16 p.m.

Myka, who reportedly suffered head and internal injuries, was the sole occupant of the vehicle.

The investigation is being conducted by Deputy Patrick Reeves and Deputy Kevin McCarthy. Assisting at the scene were the Alabama Volunteer Fire Department, Indian Falls Volunteer Fire Department, Pembroke Volunteer Fire Department, Mercy EMS and Mercy Flight.

(Initial Report)

Car into pole accident with head injury in Alabama

By Billie Owens

A motor vehicle struck a pole and a male has a head injury at Shanks and Sand Hill roads -- on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation. Alabama Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 7:25 p.m.: "He's bleeding pretty good," says a medic. Mercy Flight is called to the scene. A unit from Indian Falls Fire Department is also requested.

UPDATE 7:25 p.m.: Fire police are told to block traffic at Bloomingdale Avenue and Shanks Road. Pembroke Fire Department is also responding. Mercy Flight has a five-minute ETA.

UPDATE 7:34 p.m.: Responders are working to secure the scene. Mercy Flight will arrive momentarily and hover in the air until it's OK to land. The update from medics to the pilot is that the victim is about 60. He is unconscious, and has head, abdominal and leg injuries. They are still working to extricate the victim.

UPDATE 7:40 p.m.: The patient has been extricated. He was a passenger in the front seat. The landing zone is secure and the bird will land soon.

UPDATE 7:44 p.m.: Mercy Flight is on the ground.

UPDATE 7:46 p.m.: Notifications have already been made to National Grid, which has damages to Pole #7470, and Verizon, which has a cable box there that's above ground and is "completely knocked over."

UPDATE 8:05 p.m.: Mercy Flight is airborne. Not sure of its destination.

UPDATE 8:08 p.m.: Apparently, there is a second victim, presumably the driver. He is also described as being 60-ish and is being being taken to UMMC by ambulance with head trauma and either in cardiac arrest or with a history of cardiac arrest. (CLARIFICATION: There was only one occupant in the vehicle.)

UPDATE 8:15 p.m.: Indian Falls is back in service.

UPDATE 8:30 p.m.: Alabama is back in service.

Law and Order: Man arrested after short foot chase with police

By Howard B. Owens

Brett R. Doward, 26, 411 W. Hickory St., East Rochester, is charged with obstructing governmental administration, 2nd, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and possession of a controlled substance not in it original container. Following a report at 12:06 a.m., Sunday, of a disturbance on Hall Street, Batavia, Batavia PD received the description of a person allegedly involved and the vehicle he allegedly used to leave the scene. Officer Jason Ivison spotted a vehicle matching the description on Ellicott Street. The vehicle fled and pulled into a driveway on Liberty Street. Doward allegedly jumped from the vehicle and ran. After a short foot pursuit, Doward was taken into custody. Doward was released on an appearance ticket. BPD was assisted by the Sheriff's Office and State Police.

A 17-year-old resident of North Main Street, Perry, is charged with petit larceny. The youth is accused of shoplifting from Kmart.

Jeremy Dean Lyons, 27, of Judge Road, Oakfield, is charged with criminal mischief, 3rd, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, 3rd, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd and unlicensed operation. During a domestic dispute with his girlfriend, Lyons alleged damaged property and then allegedly took a vehicle without permission and drove the vehicle on a suspended license.

Jeremy Dean Lyons, 27, of Judge Road, Oakfield, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. While housed in the Genesee County Jail, Lyons allegedly violated an order of protection by contacting the protected party.

Terri Marisa Doctor, 33, of Council House Road, Basom, is charged with DWI. Doctor was taken into custody on a Town of Pembroke warrant issued in November 2012 for allegedly failing to pay a fine on a DWI convictions. Doctor was jailed on $1,500 bail.

Spencer Todd Grimes, 18, of Goodrich Street, Albion, is charged with trespass. Grimes is reportedly a former employee of Darien Lake who was accused of stealing and barred from the property. Grimes was allegedly on the property Saturday morning.

Nicholas Lamont Santos, 19, of Gillette Road, Albion, is charged with trespass. Santos is reportedly a former employee of Darien Lake who was accused of stealing and barred from the property. Santos was allegedly on the property Saturday morning.

Randy Lee Ridd, 55, of Swamp Road, Byron, is charged with grand larceny, 4th, and trespass. Ridd is accused of trespassing on the property of a business in Bergen and stealing metal plates. Also charged was Corretta Melissa Pitts, 44, of Swamp Road, Byron.

Brandon Monteleon, 20, of 57 Church St., Le Roy, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation and harassment. Monteleone was arrested following an alleged disturbance on Church Street between the defendant and another individual.

Daniel S. Platt, 31, of 53 Lake St., Le Roy, is charged with criminal obstruction of breaking or blood circulation and one count of unlawful dealing with a child and harassment, 2nd. Platt is accused of placing his hands around the neck of a victim, causing difficulty breathing. He's also accused of serving alcohol to a person under age 21.

Andrea M. Gray, 34, of 14 Lake St., Apt. #2, Le Roy, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and reckless endangerment, 2nd. Gray reportedly had an argument with an acquaintance on Lake Street. Gray allegedly pushed the victim, causing the victim to fall backward. The victim's head struck a driveway. Gray is also accused of sitting on the victim and pulling the victim's hair. Gray was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Pole down, wires arcing on Knowlesville Road, Alabama

By Billie Owens

Alabama firefighters are responding to a report of a utility pole down in the roadway, with wires arcing, at 6564 Knowlesville Road. The location is between Lewiston and Ham roads.

UPDATE 12:50 p.m.: The response is cancelled, Alabama is standing down. The dispatcher says "This is a previously reported incident. They are confirmed cable wires. No one wants to claim the pole."

Three-car crash with injuries on Alleghany Road, Alabama

By Billie Owens

A three-car accident with injuries is reported at 7153 Alleghany Road in Alabama. It's near Bloomingdale Road. Alabama Fire Department, Mercy medics and law enforcement is responding.

UPDATE 6:34 p.m.: The extrication jaws will need to be employed.

UPDATE 6:37 p.m.: A second ambulance is requested, mutual aid, from Oakfield.

UPDATE 7:03 p.m.: Mercy is transporting two patients to Sisters of Charity Hospital in Buffalo.

UPDATE 7:16 p.m.: A 17-year-old boy is being taken to UMMC for evaluation due to his age. He has no complaints of pain. He also has no local relatives.

UPDATE 7:28 p.m.: Alabama is back in service.

Motorcycle wreck at Maltby and Fisher roads, Oakfield

By Billie Owens

An accident involving a motorcycle is reported at Maltby and Fisher roads in Oakfield. The rider is attempting to leave the scene but the caller is trying to prevent that as he believes the motorcyclist is injured. Oakfield Fire Department and medics are responding.

UPDATE 1:30 p.m.: This was a sign-off. No injuries. The emergency responders are back in service.

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