byron

Ryan Bobzin

A local man was charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle after a car he allegedly took from a relative was identified as a vehicle involved in a drive-by shooting in Rochester.

The State Police did not release details on the Rochester case, which is being investigated by the police department there.

Arrested and jailed on $1,000 bail was Ryan M. Bobzin, 26, of Byron. 

No further details released.

Roberta Susan Dwello, 55, of State Route 104, Williamson, is charged with possession/transportation of more than 10,000 untaxed cigarettes and criminal tax fraud. Dwello was stopped on Route 77, Pembroke, at 12:20 p.m. Sunday by Deputy Joseph Corona. Dwello was allegedly found with 27,000 in untaxed cigarettes and is accused of selling untaxed cigarettes for financial gain.

Bobbisue Butler, 32, of Byron Holley Road, Byron, is charged with petit larceny. Butler is accused of shoplifting from Walmart.

Matthew Christopher Moy, 22, of Glidden Road, Holley, is charged with promoting prison contraband, 1st. Moy was allegedly found with a pocketknife while inside the jail.

Kivon Alijah Orr, 18, of Kelly Street, Bronx, is charged with trespass. Orr was allegedly in a dorm at College Village without permission.

Mark David Jackett, 45, of Sunrise Parkway, Oakfield, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Jackett allegedly had unwanted contact with a protected party.

Ryan M. Bobzin, 26, of Byron, is charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Bobzin was arrested by State Police for an alleged incident reported at 1:20 p.m., Sept. 8. No further details released.

Smoke is coming from an electrical outlet inside the Byron Arrowmart, 6890 Byron Holley Road. The convenience store has been evacuated. Byron Fire Department is on scene. South Byron, Bergen, Town of Batavia's Fast Team, and a fill-in crew from Elba were also initially dispatched. Once command was on scene the other responding units were put back in service.

UPDATE 5:48 a.m.: Responding units back in service.

A murderous crime spree by a recently released convict in Raleigh, N.C., has hit close to home for members of the Byron Fire Department, according to Chief Charles Durkee.

The brother of First Assistant Chief John Durand was shot and killed at the pawn shop he owned in Raleigh. The perpetrator has also shot another person and raped a teenager.

Thomas Melvin Durand, 64, was shot and killed, about 7 p.m., Monday.

The suspect is 21-year-old Kendrick Keyanti Gregory. He is wanted on charges of murder, two counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury and first-degree rape.

Police said Gregory, who was released from the Wake County jail on Aug. 25, is still at large and the public in Raleigh is warned that he is armed and dangerous.

Durkee said he and other members of the department are upset that their fellow volunteer and friend has his life end in such a tragedy.

"He's a guy who works so hard doing nothing but trying to help people out," Durkee said. "And then to have something like this happen is just unbelievable."

Bethany and Byron (fire, rescue, medical) personnel are asked to stand by in the Mercy Emergency Medical base facilities at 16 Bank St. in the City of Batavia in case they are needed. Bergen is asked to provide a crew to stage in its own quarters.

Medical responders are apparently stretched thin tonight with the Chris Brown concert in Darien, accidents and medical calls.

UPDATE: Orleans County has also been asked to send three ambulances to Darien Lake in case needed. The concert tonight is sold out. The most serious dispatch we've heard is for an unresponsive female, who was breathing, located at the Employee Entrance off Sumner Road.

UPDATE 8:33 p.m.: The majority of medical calls, according to dispatch, are for underage, highly intoxicated people. Medics tell UMMC that there are two more such individuals en route, and that thereafter such cases will be transported elsewhere. The implication is UMMC is overcrowded, though that wasn't stated.

UPDATE 9:24 p.m.: An ambulance from Lancaster is requested to Darien Lake. An ambulance from Alden was dispatched earlier.  

Press release:

State Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer announced today that Pavilion Public Library has been awarded $283,877, while Byron-Bergen Public Library has been awarded $65,355, in public library construction funds.

The funds are from $14 million in capital funds for public library construction provided in the 2014 State Budget. Pavilion Public Library’s grant is for a new 1,790-square-foot children’s addition to the library’s existing building. Byron-Bergen Public Library’s grant is for fixing drainage issues in the parking lot, replacing an emergency exit door, and installing energy-efficient windows.  

“Whether for Internet access or to promote reading among children, our local public libraries provide invaluable resources to so many residents in our community,” Ranzenhofer said. “These two grants for Pavilion and Byron-Bergen public libraries will ensure that many of their important services are secured for future generations.”

New York’s public libraries are in urgent need of renovation and upgrading. A recent survey showed a documented need for public library construction and renovation projects totaling more than $2.2 billion. More than 48 percent of the more than 1,000 public library buildings in communities across New York are over 60 years old. Another 30 percent are more than three decades old.  

Many of New York’s local public libraries are: unable to accommodate users with disabilities; are energy inefficient; cannot provide Internet, computer and other electronic technologies to users because of outdated and inadequate electrical wiring; and do not have sufficient space to house the library’s expanding collection; cannot address the need for adequate meeting room, or provide for public access computers.

Project activities and expenditures eligible for grants from the $14 million State Aid for Library Construction Program include: financing construction of new library buildings; construction of additions to existing buildings; and the renovation and/or rehabilitation of existing space. The latter includes: roof replacement; purchase and installation of alternative energy resources and new HVAC systems, windows, doors and lighting systems; electrical upgrades; and construction of new or replacement of old walkways and parking lots, among other things. Renovations designed to provide accessibility for patrons with disabilities are a high priority.

John F. Brown, 56, of Woodcrest Drive, Batavia, is charged with criminal tampering, 3rd. Brown allegedly used a pen to scribble on a picnic table at Williams Park at 8:13 a.m., Saturday.

Alton G. Williams, 38, of Bacon Street, Le Roy, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear. Williams is accused of failing to pay a fine. He posted an unspecified amount of bail and was released.

Andrew J. Leaton, 30, of Walkers Corner Road, Byron, is charged with DWI/Drugs. Leaton was stopped at 1:18 a.m. April 23 on West Main Street Road, Batavia, by Officer Christopher Lindsday.

Joshua Daniel Barber, 21, of North Road, Fillmore, is charged with unlawful fleeing a police officer, 3rd. Barber was allegedly involved in a brief police pursuit on State Street at 5:10 p.m., Saturday.

Joseph W. Gottstine, 26, Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with unlawful imprisonment, 2nd, and harassment, 2nd. Gottstine was arrested on a warrant stemming from an alleged incident at 6:34 a.m., July 19. He was jailed on $2,000 bail.

Dawn M. Morford, 54, of Weber Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Morford was arrested on a warrant while at the Genesee County courts facility.

Joshua K. Williams, 24, of Ross Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, and menacing, 2nd. A warrant was issued for Williams on the listed charges stemming from an alleged incident at 2:15 a.m., July 31. Williams turned himself in. Williams allegedly threw a glass bottle at the windshield of a vehicle during an altercation, damaging the windshield. He was released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

David Nicholas Greco Sr., 65, of Merrill Road, Byron, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, and harassment, 2nd. Greco allegedly pushed a woman and used a hatchet to break out the window of the woman's car. An order of protection was issued.

Jessica Horton, 25, of Telephone Road, Le Roy, is charged with seven counts of offering a false instrument for filing, 1st, and grand larceny, 3rd, following an investigation by the Genesee County Department of Social Services. Horton is accused of receiving more than $10,000 in Temporary Assistance and Food Stamp benefits that she was not entitled to after she submitted various forms stating her two children were residing with her when they were not. She was put in the Genesee County Jail on $5,000 bail.

Tia E. Schmieder, 23, of Central Avenue, Batavia, is charged with grand larceny, 4th, and identity theft, 2nd. Schmieder allegedly used another person's Target credit card without authorization to purchase $2,685 worth of merchandise from the Batavia store. Schmieder also is accused of using the same person's Bank of America credit card account number to obtain services exceeding $1,482 at Alex's Place and Best Western Crown Inn in Batavia.

Yolanda E. Johnson, 29, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with two counts of petit larceny following an investigation into a report of money that was allegedly stolen from a Byron resident. Johnson is accused of stealing money on two occasions while she was working at the person's home as an aide.

Jenea M. Macleod, 31, of Genesee Street, Corfu, is charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, possession of a hypodermic instrument, criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd, aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, and operation of a motor vehicle by an unlicensed driver. Richard T. Garlock, 33, of Newstead, is also charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, possession of a hypodermic instrument and criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd. The subjects were pulled over by Deputy Joseph Corona for a traffic stop on Clinton Street Road in Bergen when they were allegedly found to be in possession of heroin, crack cocaine, hypodermic needles and items associated with the use of the controlled substances. Macleod was released under the supervision of Genesee Justice. Garlock was put in the Genesee County Jail on $1,000 bail. 

Herbert C. Smith, 52, of Rochester, is charged with burglary, 3rd, and petit larceny. Smith is accused of stealing merchandise from Walmart in Batavia and was allegedly banned from the store due to a previous incident. He was put in the Genesee County Jail without bail.

Tacalla N. White, 42, from Rochester, is charged with petit larceny and criminal trespass, 3rd. Linda M. Floyd, 48, and Tamara Rouse, 22, both from Rochester, are also charged with petit larceny. The subjects are accused of stealing merchandise from Walmart in Batavia. White was allegedly previously banned from Walmart.

Virginia E. Glazier, 29, of Caswell Road, Byron, and Teryl A. Havel, 55, from Tennessee, are charged with petit larceny after they allegedly stole corn from a roadside crop stand on Batavia Elba Townline Road. Glazier and Havel are accused of taking corn without paying from an unattended farmer's produce stand, which uses the honor system for depositing payments. 

Christina R. Keels, 29, of Judge Road, Alabama, is charged with criminal mischief, 3rd, following an investigation into a domestic incident that happened on Judge Road. Keels allegedly hit a motor vehicle several times with a metal garden rake causing damage to the windshield and hood.

James P. Belliveau, 53, of Lockport, is charged with aggravated DWI with a BAC of .18 percent or greater, DWI, and failure to keep right following a traffic stop by Deputy Chad Cummings on Alleghany Road in Alabama.

Michael R. McNamara, 34, of Cheektowaga, is charged with DWI and failure to keep right. State police pulled over McNarmara for a traffic stop on Sumner Road in Darien.

Demetrius A. Gibson, 38, of Rochester, is charged with driving while ability impaired by alcohol, aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, unlicensed operation and tinted windows. State police pulled over Gibson for a traffic stop on Main Street in Batavia.

Robert L. Williams Jr., 24, of State Street, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant issued by the City of Batavia Police Department. Williams allegedly failed to appear for a scheduled court date. 

Anthony M. Rodriguez, 22, of Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Rodriguez was allegedly found to be in possession of a quantity of marijuana in a parking lot during the Incubus concert at Darien Lake.

A Rochester man pled not guilty during his arraignment in Genesee County Court today.

Victor J. Grimes, 25, of Rochester, was indicted by the Grand Jury for burglary in the second degree, a Class C violent felony.

Grimes allegedly entered a dwelling on Cockram Road in the Town of Byron with the intent to commit a crime on May 28, 2013.

His attorney Lisa Kroemer requested that he be released under supervision instead of being held on bail.

District Attorney Lawrence Friedman objected to Kroemer's request.

"Grimes' criminal record is long for his young age," Friedman said. "He has criminal contempt charges, false impersonation charges and he has a prior felony conviction. He also failed to appear in court five times."

Kroemer stated the felony conviction was incorrect and Grimes had no recollection of serving a year in jail for the conviction.

Judge Robert C. Noonan called for a recess to confirm the felony conviction with Monroe County Court.

Court officials did confirm Grimes was convicted of first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, a Class E felony, in August 2012. However, the Monroe County Court documents were incorrect and he was sentenced to four weekends in jail instead of one year.

Due to the prior felony conviction, Judge Noonan stated he would have to modify the bail status.

Kroemer asked Judge Noonan to set a reasonable bail because Grimes works full time in Rochester and supports his children. 

Friedman stated Grimes faces an indeterminate sentence of up to 15 years in state prison and requested bail be set according to the seriousness of the crime.

Judge Noonan ordered Grimes to be held on $7,500 bail. Oral arguments are set for Oct. 1.

Ronald T. Jackson is indicted for the crime of assault in the second degree, a Class D violent felony. It is alleged that on Jan. 3, having been charged with or conivcted of a crime, and while confined in a correctional facility -- the Genesee County Jail -- the defendant intended to cause physical injury to another person and did cause such injury to the person.

Victor J. Grimes is indicted for the crime of burglary in the second degree, a Class C violent felony. It is alleged that on May 28, 2013, Grimes knowingly entered or remained unlawfully inside a dwelling on Cockram Road in the Town of Byron with the intent to commit a crime.

Dmarcus A. Tallchief is indicted for the crime of driving while intoxicated, as a Class E Felony. It is alleged that on Jan. 23 in the Town of Pembroke Tallchief drove a 2013 Toyota on the Thruway while in an intoxicated condition. In count two, Tallchief is indicted for the crime of aggravated driving while intoxicated, per se, as a Class E felony, for allegedly having a BAC of .18 or more at the time of the incident.

 

Justin Sanders

A family who took a young man into their home and treated him like a son told Judge Robert C. Noonan today about the anger and sense of betrayal they felt after he stole thousands of dollars worth of jewelry, some of the pieces family heirlooms, and other items.

The attorney for 23-year-old Justin L. Sanders tried to convince Noonan that her client deserved a chance at probation and rehabilitation.  Noonan rejected the idea out of hand.

"One of the biggest surprises of my career was the recommendation by the Probation Department that you not be sent to prison," Noonan said. "You're a con man. You got a good deal for yourself in getting an indeterminate sentence. I could not in good conscious release you on a community-based sentence."

Noonan told Sanders he would go to state prison for one and a quarter years to four years.

Before the sentence was handed down, Sanders told Noonan he regretted what he had done and through the power of salvation, he was a changed man.

Sanders has spent the past several months in a Christian-based drug-rehabilitation facility and the pastor in charge of the camp wrote Noonan a letter extolling the progress Sanders has made at the facility and asking Noonan to return him to the facility to complete his rehabilitation.

One of the victims of the thefts, the mother of the young lady Sanders was dating, said she didn't believe Sanders ever had a drug problem and that he was a compulsive liar.

She told of how Sanders wrote to her daughter from jail and promised to repay the family for the items he stole using a portion of the more than $1 million he was inheriting from his grandfather.

"You can't believe a word he says," the woman said. "We know he's just saying those things to further his own gain."

Later, when Noonan asked his attorney Lisa Kroemer if there were indeed such funds available for Sanders to pay his more than $26,000 in restitution, Kroemer said she didn't believe any such funds existed.

The initial larcenies were reported from a residence on Route 237, Byron, in late November through December; two burglaries were reported at a residence on Townline Road, Byron, on Jan. 13 and Jan. 20. 

The mother of his ex-girlfriend said to this day, they're still discovering items that are missing that she believes Sanders stole.

"A home should be a place of safety and he destroyed all that," she said.

The woman said her daughters have always been told they could only date young men of faith who were full-time students or full-time workers. Sanders, a Culinary Arts student, had food industry jobs and professed to be a Christian when he was allowed to move into the home.

She said he was accepted as part of the family and called her "Mom."

When the thefts were discovered, there was a family meeting and Sanders denied any involvement and promised to find out who stole the items. He later planted stolen jewelry in another daughter's car and tried to blame her, she said.

As the investigation progressed, he left town saying he had to visit his mother who was undergoing cancer surgery and chemotherapy. It turned out, she said, his mother wasn't sick at all.

The woman then read a letter from her daughter who wrote of Sanders, "You disgust me" and "I hate you."

More than a thousand National Grid customers in Genesee County are without power.

There is a power outage the Byron-Bergen ara that extends south to Le Roy, and almost north and east to the Village of Bergen. More than 1,000 customers are without power. A reader reports a tree is down.

A smaller outage is affecting 44 customers in Alexander, near the county line, east of Route 98. There is an ETA of 7:45 p.m. for power restoration.

The initial call came in at 8:45 p.m. of a two-car accident in the area of 6312 Cole Road. Byron. Byron and South Byron fire departments are on the scene with Byron Rescue Squad and Mercy EMS.

More details pending investigation.

UPDATE (By Traci) 10:06 p.m.: According to State Trooper Stephen Kosowski, the driver of the Saturn was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The driver of the Saturn was traveling eastbound on Tower Hill Road and the pickup truck was traveling northbound on Route 237. Witnesses said the driver of the Saturn failed to yield and entered the intersection in front of the pickup truck causing the collision. 

A one-car accident with unknown injuries is reported in the area of 6679 N. Bergen Road, Byron.

Byron and South Byron fire departments dispatched along with Mercy EMS.