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Police Beat: Man accused of firing shotgun at neighbor's front door

By Howard B. Owens

Gary W. Merritt, 50, of 9570 Bernd Road, Le Roy, is charged with reckless endangerment in the first degree. Merritt allegedly fired shotgun rounds at a neighbor's house. The rounds struck a glass door while the resident was standing near the door. The alleged incident occurred Saturday at 3:15 p.m. and was investigated by Deputy James Diehl. Merritt was released under supervision of Genesee County Justice.

Darryl Stephen Johnston, 34, of 111 Copeland St., is charged with petit larceny. Johnston is accused of stealing five bottles of booze off the bar at the Pizza Pantry in Corfu. The bar was closed at that time of day on Aug. 28. Johnston was arrested at his home in Rochester on Nov. 4.

Paul S. Banach, 22, of 166 Lake Road, Avon, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to stop for a stop sign, speeding and driving left of pavement markings. Banach was stopped Saturday at 2:50 a.m. by Deputy Jason Saile on Route 262 in the Town of Byron.

Arthur W. Hale, Jr., 48, of Foxe Harrow Drive, Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and driving left of pavement markings. Hale was allegedly observed crossing a double yellow line once, and a dotted yellow line twice on Route 33 in Stafford by Sgt. Greg Walker at 2:03 a.m. on Saturday. The officer stopped Hale and determined that he was allegedly driving drunk. Hale was also cited for failure to keep right and refusing to take breath test.

David M. Jackson, 32, of Bethany, is charged with harassment and endangering the welfare of a child. Jackson was arrested by State Police at 6:10 p.m. on Saturday. No further details available.

Doug Yeomans

WOW, Gary W. Merritt fires a shotgun at an occupied home and was released under supervision of Genesee County Justice? He must be incredibly connected. I guess it does pay to know people. Anyone else would be in jail without bail.

Nov 9, 2009, 10:30am Permalink
Doug Yeomans

I moved away from Rochester because people didn't have the balls to stand up and say it like it is. I'd rather the community I live in not turn to the same mentality that governs Clinton ave, Hudson ave and so many other streets in Rochester (FEAR).

Don't let bullies ruin your day by giving them an inch of satisfaction in knowing that they worry you. Firearms are for sport, hunting and defense, not offense. Disputes with neighbors should be handled with words and the law, maybe some beer, venison burgers on the grill and a handshake.

This man obviously has no comprehension of restraint or sensibility. Just the type of person who has no business owning or touching a firearm.

I'm a betting man and I'd place a $20 bet that this was fueled by alcohol. Ya think?

I don't know all the mitigating circumstances but I do know he fired a shotgun at an occupied dwelling on purpose. He should've gone to jail with or without bail set. Letting him out so easily taught him he doesn't have to play by the same rules as everyone else.

Moral of this story: Bullies don't rule my world and my community doesn't need them in it.

Nov 10, 2009, 7:13pm Permalink
Gabor Deutsch

Now if he shot a squirrel in his back yard with a BB gun or stole something he would be in Jail. He could have shouted obcenities in Public or pushed someone --> JAIL. I guess the moral of the story is dont be afraid to wave ur shotgun around if you are willing to pop off a few rounds !

Nov 11, 2009, 3:05pm Permalink

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