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Attempted strong-arm robbery reported on West Main Street, Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

A caller reports an attempted strong-arm robbery in the area of 352 W. Main St., Batavia.

The victim reportedly suffered an eye injury and Mercy EMS is dispatched.

The suspects, four to five males on bicycles, were last seen heading toward Tops.

Batavia PD responding.

Subjects matching the description have been spotted on Veterans Memorial Drive.

UPDATE 9:36 p.m.: The four subjects were seen entering Target. One is now in custody.

UPDATE 9:39 p.m.: Sheriff William Sheron, apparently already in the area, is on scene. All four may be in custody. An off-duty police officer working security at Towne Center at Batavia first spotted the individuals.

UPDATE 10:20 p.m.: A caller to dispatch who saw this post reports being attacked earlier this evening on Harvester Avenue and having $20 stolen.

Rich Richmond

There's a lot of panhandling in that vicinity (WalMart in particular), with the drug dealers shielded in rows of cars waiting to sell the said panhandlers their drug fix.

Nov 13, 2017, 10:25am Permalink
alvin tufts

The only panhandlers at Walmart are the Salvation Army, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and hockey teams. The only drug dealer is Walmart pharmacy. If you see it as often as you claim you should report it.

Nov 12, 2017, 7:18pm Permalink
Rich Richmond

I have reported
the panhandlers to management. I also don't consider the Salvation Army, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc to be panhandlers, as you obviously do! The Walmart Pharmacy dispenses legal drugs to people with a prescription. A drug dealer sells illegal drugs such as heroin and I fail to grasp how you don't see the distinction between drug dealer and panhandlers.

Nov 12, 2017, 10:00pm Permalink
Brian Graz

All law abiding folks need CCW. This activity is escalating and I see it getting much worse until enough innocent folks respond with serious personal protection actions.

Nov 12, 2017, 9:01pm Permalink
Rich Richmond

I agree with you, Brian about a CCW for people who want one, along with a reasonable degree of restraint and common sense which most CCW Permit Holders exhibit. I carried as a Peace Officer for 39 years. I hardly need a know-it-all who can't distinguish between a panhandler and Girl Scout, or a Pharmacist and drug dealer to tell me what to do.

Nov 12, 2017, 9:56pm Permalink
John Roach

I agree with Rich and Brian, you should get a CCW. Don't want to carry, fine, but at least have the option to do it.

As for the stupid statement by Alvin, when you have permission to sell a product in front of Walmart, how is that panhandling? Of course, there is the possibility that Alvin just does not know the definition of the word "Panhandling", which could explain saying something so dumb.

Nov 13, 2017, 6:18am Permalink
Rich Richmond

"How about telling a person to get a job?" Been there and done that.

Suppose things escalate. The panhandler or panhandlers are desperate for a fix. They are not thinking clearly.They see your retort,"Get a job" as disrespecting them. "Deadly weapons are displayed. Your call Billie.

Nov 13, 2017, 3:32pm Permalink
Billie Owens

Yes, you have a right to protect yourself from physical aggression. Fortunately, I've never had any interaction with a panhandler escalate. I personally would carry pepper spray rather than a gun, since things can go terribly wrong, and permanently, with a gun.

Nov 13, 2017, 3:39pm Permalink
John Roach

Nobody advocated shooting a panhandler. They are advocating being ready to protect yourself.

While the vast majority of panhandlers will go away when turned down, or at least not bother you more, some become aggressive and some assaultive.
Point here is, a CCW is an option for many.

Nov 13, 2017, 3:42pm Permalink
Rich Richmond

Billie, God forbid you ever have such an interaction.Things can go terribly wrong with pepper spray if your assailant kills you. It often times doesn't work for people who are high, mentally ill or both.

Nov 13, 2017, 3:57pm Permalink
C. M. Barons

I've been shaking off panhandlers since age 14 when I used to take the Trailways bus to downtown Rochester to go shopping. I never felt the need for a weapon, concealed or otherwise. Brian Graz... Don't you usually have a profile picture that looks like someone inflated you with a tire pump? Are you really afraid of panhandlers? All of you should have avoided watching the GOP convention on TV. You've been exposed to the feeble thought patterns that generate the paranoia.

Nov 14, 2017, 2:42am Permalink
Rich Richmond

It appears someone is living in an always safe make-believe world of nothing is going to happen to me. This continued narcissistic adolescent perception of invincibility, carried into adulthood, can be dangerous to one’s health.

Nov 14, 2017, 6:26am Permalink
Ed Hartgrove

C.M.
Concerning your question to Brian, "Don't you usually have a profile picture that looks like someone inflated you with a tire pump?"

I did a search back to December of 2016, and, even back then, Brian's "avatar" was just an off-angle view of a lowly chess pawn, as the majority of ours are. You aren't thinking of Tom's, are you? (see http://www.thebatavian.com/howard-b-owens/rep-collins-supports-gop-deci…

Nov 14, 2017, 12:39pm Permalink
John Roach

C.M. Barons seem to have a habit of making fun of peoples appearance. Remember when he ran against Steve Hawley and made fun of Steve's haircut and weight?

Nov 14, 2017, 3:03pm Permalink
Julie Morales

Nobody advocated shooting a panhandler?

“All law abiding folks need CCW. This activity is escalating…”

“This activity” referring to panhandlers and drug dealers in Walmart parking lot.

I wonder why the Salvation Army, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc. would want to “sell their products” at a location where so much flagrant panhandling and drug dealing is going on.

Seems like the idea of blowing away unarmed “mentally ill” panhandlers really turns some big talkers on.

John, don’t suppose calling people “dumb” and “stupid” gives you moral authority over CM.

Nov 14, 2017, 6:09pm Permalink
John Roach

Julie, I wrote that what Alvin said was dumb and stupid, not him. And it was and still is. As for CM, I just pointed out that he has a history of making fun of peoples looks.

Nov 14, 2017, 6:47pm Permalink
Rich Richmond

Wow, talk about jumping to unwarranted and hysterical conclusions and ridiculous scenarios based on no facts whatsoever of what was said, and then putting words in other peoples’ mouths because you disagree with them. To further discredit herself; she gives CM a pass because she agrees with him while criticizing others because she doesn't.

Nov 14, 2017, 7:18pm Permalink
C. M. Barons

I was NOT criticizing anyone. I had the profile pictures of Tom and Brian confused. If you check out Tom's picture you will see that I was referring to muscles not fat. ...So much for jumping to conclusions. Which is precisely why I rarely post on this site anymore.

Nov 15, 2017, 2:21am Permalink

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