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Woman who prompted water rescue search arrested on warrant

By Howard B. Owens

A woman who at one point Wednesday night authorities feared may have wandered into a fast-moving Tonawanda Creek, was found later apparently safe in a mobile home on West Main Street Road in the Town of Batavia.

The woman was taken into custody on a bench warrant for alleged criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th.

Jailed on $100,000 bail was Lisa Mae Rugh, 38, of Elm Street, Batavia.

The incident started about 6:30 p.m. when a woman was observed by a passerby lying on the shoulder of Route 5 near Pudgie's Lawn and Garden Center.

The woman, later identified as Rugh, denied a need for help, though she appeared intoxicated, according to the witness.

Rugh began walking south behind Pudgie's toward the Tonawanda Creek.

Members of the Sheriff's Office searched the area but could not locate Rugh.

The department's K-9 unit was called to the scene and "Pharoah" reportedly tracked Rugh to the edge of the creek.

At about that time, members of the East Pembroke Water Rescue Team were in route to the scene. Also dispatched were volunteers from the Town of Batavia Fire Department as well as Alden and Corfu.

"Pharoah" continued tracking Rugh and she was located at Lot #8 of Dreamland Trailer Park, 3540 W. Main St. Road, Batavia.

When deputies identified Rugh they discovered she had an active bench warrant for her arrest.

The Genesee County Emergency Services Office also assisted in the search for Rugh.

(Initial report)

jason reese

Excuse Me? criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th degree and $100,000 bail? Did she murder anyone? People have committed more severe charges and less bail. Oh it's Christmas in Genesee County, ny. My Mistake.

Dec 22, 2011, 2:04pm Permalink
John Roach

Jason,
The high bail is because she has had a warrant out for her arrest that was going on 2 years. What do you think the odds are of her showing up again if released? Or don't you care if she skips again?

Dec 22, 2011, 3:08pm Permalink
Doug Yeomans

John, Jason is our resident conspiracy theorist. He doesn't ever read a news article in its entirety and always comes out eating crow. In this case he missed the part about her warrant and he doesn't understand what bail is for, obviously. Any time an African American member of our community is arrested, Jason pulls out his race card and throws it on the table. He overlooks the fact that the person who was arrested actually committed a crime. He's got a huge chip on his shoulder and shows it every time he decides to throw in his two cents here.

I just looked back through his comments. You and I have pointed this out to him before but here he is again doing the same thing. He must like the taste of crow.

Dec 23, 2011, 12:09pm Permalink
C. M. Barons

First and foremost, Jason, if this were Jeopardy the answer would be found under the category, unladylike behavior. Second, Rugh's escapade elicited unfulfilled expectations. Third, Rugh lacks a hit pop-song, isn't a cavorting hotel-chain princess nor has B movie credits- nothing salaciously redeeming. Fourth, recreational drug use must always be staged as glamorous; collapsing on the pavement is not glamorous unless a chauffeured automobile is involved. Fifth, never be tracked to a trailer park unless kidnapped or reconnecting with a long-lost twin sibling. And finally, the event unfolded without delivering a money-shot.

Dec 23, 2011, 12:33pm Permalink

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