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Home invasion suspects told Swan Street residents they were police officers

By Howard B. Owens

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NOTE: Story updated to correct the names of the officers involved.

The two men who allegedly broke into a home at 49 Swan St. at 2:22 a.m. Thursday told occupants of the house that they were police officers.

They then attacked the occupants and caused physical injury, according to police.

Kolton Cotter, 22, of Eagle Harbor Road, Albion (top photo), was charged with: robbery; burglary; coercion; conspiracy; criminal possession of a weapon; criminal impersonation; petit larceny; criminal mischief; assault; possession of burglary tools; unlawful imprisonment; criminal obstruction of breathing; obstruction of governmental administrationl; resisting arrest; and unlawful possession of marijuana.

Andrew Morris, 19, of Main Street, Attica, was charged with: robbery; burglary; coercion; conspiracy; criminal possession of a weapon; criminal impersonation; petit larceny; assault; possession of burglar tools; and unlawful possession of marijuana.

Officer Felicia DeGroot and Sgt. Eric Bolles were first to respond to the report of a break-in in progress and found Morris inside the residence and took him into custody. Cotter fled and was chased by Bolles and Officer Eric Foels. Also assisting in the apprehension of the suspects were Officer Jason Ivison and Officer Darryl Streeter.

Genesee County Sheriff's deputies also assisted at the scene.

Bolles and Foels caught up with him on Graham Street and one of them deployed a Taser to help subdue the suspect. Cotter was transported by Mercy EMS to UMMC for evaluation.

Batavia PD said Morris and Cotter identified themselves as undercover police officers in an attempt to steal property.

At one point, a suspect reportedly told the victims that at least one of them was armed. No firearm was recovered. The type of weapon recovered was not identified by police.

The suspects were arraigned in City Court and jailed without bail.

Ed Hartgrove

Those 2 guys actually thought someone would believe that they were police officers? Where did they think they were? At the New York School for the Blind?

Maybe it's about time the legislature enact a new law - one that makes it a crime to be "too stupid to be allowed in public"!

Mar 23, 2017, 4:47pm Permalink
Ed Hartgrove

You're right, Eric. I never thought about that. Which means... uhh-h-h... er-r-r... Ohhhhh... heck! That means I'd probably be setting up residency in one of those places.

And, let's face it. There wouldn't be enough people left to act as jailers.

Mar 24, 2017, 10:18am Permalink

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