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Law and Order: Trooper reports seeing driver doing donuts in fire hall parking lot, makes arrest on DWI charge

By Howard B. Owens

Keith C. Michels, 38, of Alden, is charged with DWI and uninspected motor vehicle. With a state Trooper parked nearby and watching, Michels was observed doing donuts in the parking lot of the Alexander Fire Department on Route 98, Alexander. Upon further investigation, the Trooper allegedly observed that the vehicle did not have a current inspection sticker and the Trooper reported detecting the odor of alcohol emanating from Michels. Michels was transported to the Batavia Barracks of the State Police where he was allegedly found to have a BAC of .13.

Ian RIchard Eli Tarbell Sr., 43, of State Route 37, Hogansburg, is charged with transport and sale of 4,800 cartons of untaxed cigarettes, failure to keep right and moving from lane unsafely. Tarbell was stopped at 8:42 a.m. Thursday on Route 77, Pembroke, by Deputy Lonnie Nati. Tarbell was jailed on $100,000 bail.

James Francis Scharf, 50, of Walker Lake Ontario Road, Hilton, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt and trespass. Scharf was arrested on a warrant issued by Oakfield Town Court and jailed on $2,500 bail.

Andrew Charles Webster, 22, of Gilette Road, Alexander, is charged with petit larceny. Webster was arrested on a warrant. He was jailed on $2,000 bail or $4,000 bond.

Mike Barringer

Maybe it's me, but doesn't $100,000 bail seem excessive for cigarettes? Also, on another site it said 4800 untaxed cigarettes, not 4800 CARTONS, which is it?

Feb 19, 2016, 11:24am Permalink
Tim Miller

What kind of vehicle was he driving that could do donuts while carrying 4,800 cartons of cigs?

A carton is 10 packs, and if I recall from my 4-week stint many years ago at 7-11, there would be 20 or 24 cartons in a case, and that case would be the size of a bread box. That means the donut machine was carrying 200-240 cases, which would take quite a bit of space.

Can you do donuts in a panel van?

Feb 20, 2016, 7:50am Permalink
Ed Hartgrove

Hey, Tim.
WAKE UP!
Donut and Cigarette carton news are two different stories.

Feb 20, 2016, 10:13am Permalink

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