crime

Catherine E. Peet, 58, of Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, criminal possession of a weapon, and menacing, 2nd. Peet allegedly damaged two vehicles with a shovel and threatened a person with that shovel during an incident reported at 9:35 a.m., Jan. 30, 2016 at a residence on Colorado Avenue, Batavia.

Timothy M. Scanlan, 25, of Genesee Street, Le Roy, is charged with criminal possession of marijuana, 3rd, and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th.  Scanlan was arrested following the execution of a search warrant by the Local Drug Task Force. Scanlan was allegedly found in possession of Suboxone and Lortab pills along with a large quantity of marijuana and an amount of cash.

Jessica L. Connoly, 38, of Brooklyn Avenue, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and uninspected motor vehicle. Connoly was stopped 7:52 a.m. Friday on East Main Street by Officer Frank Klimjack.

Scott T. Lasker, 42, of Harper Road, Darien, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Lasker was allegedly found in violation of a stay-away order during a traffic stop at 3:51 p.m. Sunday on West Main Street, Batavia.

Benito Hernandez-Vega, 36, of East Main Street Road, Le Roy, is charged driving under influence of drugs and alcohol, possession of a hypodermic instrument, aggravated unauthorized operation, 3rd, unlicensed operation and moving from lane unsafely. Hernandez-Vega was stopped 9:50 p.m. Jan. 13 on East Main Street, Batavia, by Officer Nicole Salamone.

Adam Arsenault, 31, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with obstructing governmental administration. No further details provided except that the arrest stemmed from an incident reported at 3:30 a.m. Saturday.

Katrina L. Thigpen, 34, of Thorpe Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 3rd, menacing, 3rd, and endangering the welfare of a child. Thigpen allegedly poured lighter fluid on a victim and his vehicle during a domestic dispute reported at 9:53 a.m. Monday on Thorpe Street.

Shah L. Zajic, 40, of Eleanor Place, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, driving without headlights and refusal to take a breath test. Zajic was arrested stemming from a traffic stop at 2:17 a.m. on Jan. 14 on Ross Street, Batavia, by Officer Matthew Wojtaszczyk.

Candace M. Sanchez, 51, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd, and criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument. Sanchez was allegedly found in possession of the items by NYS Parole.

Gregory Wayne Houseknecht, 25, of College View Drive, is charged with petit larceny. Houseknecht allegedly stole merchandise from Walmart at 2:58 p.m. on Jan. 19.

Craig Shareef McKenzie Jr., 19, of Batavia Stafford Townline Road, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant stemming from a petit larceny charge.

Mirnes Kozarac, 35, of Lansing Street, Utica, is charged with unlawful possession of untaxed cigarettes. Kozarac was allegedly found in possession of 2,200 untaxed cigarettes during a traffic stop by Deputy Travis DeMuth at 10:16 a.m. Sunday on Route 77, Pembroke. Also charged was Salim Selimovic, 60, of Mulberry Street, Utica, who was allegedly found in possession of 5,800 untaxed cigarettes.

Randy Robert Reiner, 22, of Washington Street, Akron, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Reiner was arrested after Deputy Richard Schildwaster stopped at 10:26 p.m. Jan. 16 on Main Road, Pembroke, to check on a disabled vehicle. Reiner was allegedly found in possession of 16 marijuana smoking devices that contained marijuana residue.

An Akron resident is accused of selling fentanyl and of selling heroin on two separate occasions to an agent of the Local Drug Task Force in the Town of Alabama.

Jeremy R. Leising, 21, was a passenger of a vehicle stopped by the Erie County Sheriff's Office and when deputies learned of a warrant for Leising's arrest on a warrant out of Genesee County they took him into custody.

He was turned over the Local Drug Task Force on the warrant on charges of two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, and two counts of criminal possession of controlled substance, 3rd.

He was jailed awaiting arraignment in Genesee County Court.

Julia L. Tombari, 22, of Highland Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of drug paraphernalia. Tombari was allegedly found in possession of a controlled substance not prescribed to her along with packaging and other drug paraphernalia by Officer Arick Perkins at 2:45 p.m., Friday, at a residence on Highland Avenue. 

Melissa R. Piazza, 27, of Jackson Square, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, 4th. Piazza is accused of using a stolen credit card to make purchases at the Kwik Fill, 99 Jackson St., Batavia. She was released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Kevin E. Dolison, 21, of Meadow Drive, Geneseo, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Dolison was arrested on a warrant stemming for an alleged incident reported at 7:04 p.m., Nov. 30, at a residence on South Main Street, Batavia, where Dolison allegedly struck another person. Dolison posted bail and was released.

Carolyn L. Magoffin, 33, of Colby Road, Darien, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear for a scheduled court date. Magoffin posted $500 bail and was released.

Falicia N. Tuczai, 26, of Prospect Avenue, Batavia, is charged with trespass. Tuczai allegedly entered property at 7:16 p.m., Thursday, on South Main Street, Batavia, after being previously told by police not to enter the property.

Terrance Johnson appeared for sentencing in Genesee County Court this afternoon on a robbery conviction.

Johnson was arrested last May for first-degree robbery after being released from a four-month term in the Genesee County Jail for a gang assault in Batavia.

Neither the district attorney nor Johnson’s defense took the opportunity to speak before sentencing; however, Johnson took the chance to casually express that he was “happy to get this out of the way,” but never taking responsibility or expressing an apology to the victim for his actions.

Johnson was smiling for most of the appearance, glancing and mouthing things to members of the gallery and even laughed to himself several times.

He was sentenced to two years in state prison to be followed by three years post-release supervision and was issued orders of protection for two individuals.

Via our news partner, WBTA.

A Batavia man with no permanent residence has been arrested in connection with a burglary this week of the Rancho Viejo restaurant at 12 Ellicott St., Batavia.

Andrew Kosiorek, 44, has been charged with burglary, 3rd.

Police allege that Kosiorek broke into the business twice in the early morning hours of Saturday.

No information has been released on what if anything was stolen.

Kosiorek was arraigned in City Court and jailed without bail.

The investigation was handled by Det. Thad Mart.

Eric Keith Ricks, 38, of Ellicott Street Road, Batavia, is charged with obstructing governmental administration, 2nd, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, driving on a suspended registration and driving without insurance. Ricks was stopped at 5:22 p.m. Jan. 11 on Swan Street, Batavia, by Officer Chad Richards. During the traffic stop, Ricks allegedly became confrontational with police and refused to obey verbal commands. He was then taken into custody without further incident.

Sadie D. Waala, 25, of Colonial Boulevard, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speeding and failure to yield right of way to an emergency vehicle. Waala was stopped at 2:25 a.m. Sunday on West Main Street, Batavia, by Officer Peter Flanagan.

Dustin W. Bogue, 34, of Sunset Parkway, Oakfield, is charged with trespass, 2nd. Bogue is accused of refusing to leave a residence at 10:55 p.m., Sunday.

Timothy J. Wood Sr., 27, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Wood allegedly struck another person during an argument reported at 5 p.m., Jan. 9.

Shane K. Borton, 44, of Chase Park, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Borton is accused of hitting another person during an argument, reported at 2:31 p.m., Friday.

James M. Spangler II, 40, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Spangler allegedly violated an order of protection by mailing a letter to the protected party.

Jonathan S. Cassidy, 45, of Highland Park, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear.

Rorbert L. Jordan, 70, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Jordan allegedly stole a King Size Reese's Cup from the Kwik Fill at 99 Jackson St. at 6:19 p.m., Jan. 1.

Adam L. Rumley, 26, of Batavia, is charged with aggravated DWI and multiple traffic violations. Rumley was stopped by State Police on the Thruway at 10:22 p.m., Sunday. He allegedly had a BAC of .22.

Linda Ann Martin, 64, of McKinley Avenue, Batavia, is charged with offering a false instrument for filing, 2nd. Martin is accused of claiming she did not make a bank transaction in August 2015.

Ryan James Emery, 19, of Main Street, Oakfield, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Emery was a passenger in a vehicle stopped for an equipment violation at 8:35 p.m., Saturday. He was allegedly found in possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia by Deputy Richard Schildwaster.

Jennifer Lynn Greck, 47, of Seven Springs Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 3rd. Greck allegedly damaged a room door of a motel on West Main Street Road, Batavia, at 6:53 a.m. Saturday. The case was investigated by Deputy Jenna Ferrando.

Joshua Miguel Laureano, 26, of Cumberland Avenue, South Buffalo, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, driving while on a mobile phone, aggravated unlicensed operation and unsafe tires. Laureano was stopped at 7:07 p.m. Saturday on Bloomingdale Road, Alabama, by Deputy Eric Meyer.

Hannah Marie Zuppa, 19, of Main Road, Pembroke, is charged with two counts of petit larceny. Zuppa is accused of thefts from a location on Judge Road, Alabama.

The suspect got away with an undisclosed amount of cash and fled on foot.

Deputy Chris Erion with K-9 Destro helped track the suspect and he was located a short time later at a nearby residence.

Taken into custody was Ricky L. Miller II.

At the time of his arrest, Miller was allegedly found in possession of a needle.

He was charged with robbery, 3rd, petit larceny, and possession of a hypodermic instrument.

He was jailed without bail.

Batavia PD is looking for the public's assistance in identifying and locating this man for questioning regarding an overnight burglary in the city. The burglary was sometime after midnight at Rancho Viejo on Ellicott Street. The police are not releasing further information at this time. People with information that may assist in the investigation are asked to call  Detective Sgt. Crossett at (585) 345-6353, or the Confidential Tip Line at (585) 345-6370.

Alex Patrick Wells, of Read Road, is charged with burglary, 2nd, and menacing, 2nd.

The incident was reported at 11:52 p.m., Thursday.

Well was arraigned in Pembroke Town Court and jailed on $25,000 bail or $50,00 bond.

Bradley J. Broadbent, 37, was found guilty of one count each of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree and criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree.

Earlier this year, Broadbent was indicted on drug charges in Genesee County and is still facing prosecution locally.

In 2012, Broadbent made the news following a series of bizarre incidents related to bath salt use, including vandalizing the restroom of a business complex and climbing on the roofs of houses on Hutchins Street. He eventually served a jail term on charges stemming from those incidents.

Broadbent was picked up in Wyoming County by the Drug Task Force.

The June arrest was the result of a Jan. 14 possession and sale of 13 bags of heroin laced with the horse tranquilizer Xylazine. The sale was made to a confidential informant in the Village of Perry.

Also in June, Broadbent was arrested by the Genesee County Local Drug Enforcement Task Force on charges stemming from an April 24 incident in the Genesee County Jail. 

Broadbent allegedly smuggled heroin into the jail where he then was accused of selling a portion of the drug to Ryan M. Bobzin, 27, of Bergen. Both men were in jail at the same time on unrelated charges.

In December, he was indicted on those charges – criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony; criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony; and promoting prison contraband in the first degree, a Class D felony. 

Following yesterday's verdict, Broadbent was jailed without bail in the Wyoming County Jail. 

“Today’s convictions represent just one small measure of District Attorney Donald O’Geen’s resolute and concentrated efforts to combat the scourge of heroin and other opioids in Wyoming County,” said Wyoming County Assistant District Attorney Eric Schiener added, “Thanks to the commitment and dedication of both the Drug Task Force and District Attorney O’Geen, there is now one less purveyor of this poison on the streets of Perry.”

Due to his “significant” criminal history, both of these Class B felony convictions could potentially result in a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and three years post release supervision for Broadbent. 

Sentencing in Wyoming County is scheduled for Feb. 23.

Julia Ferrini, Wyoming County Free Press, contributed to this story.

Someone stole a chair and "a wet floor sign" from a business on West Main Street about 15 minutes ago. They have video. Batavia police are responding to the reported larceny.

Investigators continue to work leads in the case of a series of battery thefts from trucks and farm equipment in Genesee County, and as a result previously arrested suspects face new charges.

Bart Towne, 48, of Alleghany Road, Alabama, is charged with grand larceny, 4th. He was first arrested Sept. 27 and has been charged in the jurisdictions of Byron, Oakfield, Alabama, Elba, Pembroke and Alexander. 

He allegedly stole batteries in each of those towns.

He is being held without bail.

Amber L. Heveron, 28, of Rice Road, Albion, is charged with grand larceny, 4th. She was first arrested Dec. 6. She was previously charged in Alabama, Pembroke, Oakfield and Elba. 

She is out of jail under supervision of Genesee Justice.

The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are possible.

While on surveillance yesterday, members of the Local Drug Task Force observed occupants of a vehicle toss garbage from the car so they initiated a traffic stop.

Upon further investigation, the occupants were allegedly found in possession of Suboxone and drug paraphernalia.

During the course of the surveillance, both occupants were allegedly seen operating the vehicle and both were later found to have suspended driver's licenses.

Isaac C. King, 30, of Hoyt Street, Buffalo, was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 5th, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, and littering.

Daniel H. Mooney, 30, of Cone Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal use of drug paraphernalia, 2nd, and aggravated unlicensed operation.

Following arraignment in City Court, King was jailed without bail. He has a detainer from NY State Parole.

Mooney was ordered held on $2,500 bail or $5,000 bond.

Sentencing was delayed today for a Joel Bert Shorts, a 55-year-old Canisteo man who admitted in October to engaging in oral sex with a teenage boy at a religious gathering last summer because the probation department in Steuben County didn't complete a necessary evaluation.

Officials in Steuben apparently overlooked a request for the evaluation and didn't start on it in time for today's hearing.

Shorts was scheduled to be sentenced today and there was also going to be a hearing to determine what level he would be registered as a sex offender.

When Shorts agreed to plead guilty to the Class E felony of criminal sex act in the third degree, the agreement would give him a chance to avoid a four-year prison term and instead be placed on probation in Steuben County for 10 years.

Shorts was arrested July 20 at Darien Lake Theme Park Resort, where he was attending Kingdom Bound with a church group.

The new hearing date is 11 a.m., Feb. 21.

He remains out of jail on his own recognizance. 

The hearing is one of the first court appearances as the new County Court Judge Charles Zambito. Prior to the hearing, Zambito disclosed to Short's attorney the fact that the assistant district attorney handling the case, Robert Zickl, is the brother of Will Zickl, who is now Zambito's staff attorney. Zambito said that on this case, because Robert Zickl is the ADA, Will Zickl would have no involvement and would not be consulted. Short's attorney acknowledged the disclosure and waived any claim to a conflict of interest and said he wasn't concerned about the relationship.

Sheri A. Eddy, 33, is charged with third-degree grand larceny and first degree identity theft.

Eddy allegedly stole a check from the residence and used the information on the check to pilfer funds. 

She was arraigned in Bethany Town Court and jailed on $2,500 bail.

Robert Lee Williams Jr., 26, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with assault, 3rd. Williams was allegedly involved in a road rage incident at 6 p.m., Dec. 21, on East Main Street, Batavia. There was reportedly a physical altercation resulting in injury to another person. Williams turned himself in on a warrant.

Christopher Charles Say, 26, of Goddard Street, Webster, Mass., is charged with bail jumping, criminal contempt, 2nd, and obstructing governmental administration, 2nd. Say was arrested on a warrant and turned over to Batavia PD. He was arraigned in City Court and jailed on $2,500 bail.

Jill M. Turner, 24, of Burke Drive, Batavia, is charged with dog running at large. Turner is accused of allowing her dog to run loose on a neighbor's property.

Robert E. Wood, 26, of South Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass, 2nd. Wood allegedly entered the secured residence of a person he knew without permission at 2:26 a.m., Wednesday.

Branden L. Daymon, 32, of Norwich Drive, Rochester, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear on a vehicle and traffic violation.

Lexus M. Brown, 20, of Raines Park, Rochester, was arrested on a warrant for alleged failure to appear. Brown posted $300 police bail and was released.

Aaron Michael Gardner, 35, of Britt Road, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, no seat belt, unreasonable speed and failure to keep right. Gardner was arrested following the completion of an investigation into a motor-vehicle accident reported at 3:59 p.m., Nov. 11, on Oatka Trail Road, Le Roy. The investigation was conducted by Deputy Kevin Forsyth.

David K. Atkinson is indicted for the crime of criminal sexual act in the first degree, a Class B felony. It is alleged that on Nov. 18 in the Town of Pembroke that Atkinson engaged in oral conduct with another person by forcible compulsion.

Matthew A. McCracken is indicted for the crime of attempted arson in the second degree, a Class C violent felony. It is alleged that on Dec. 24 McCracken intended to damage a building -- an upstairs apartment on Clay Street in the Village of Le Roy -- by starting a fire when another person who was not a participant in the crime was present in the building. Furthermore, it is alleged that the defendant knew -- either factually or circumstantially -- that the presence of the other person inside was a reasonable possibility and yet he allegedly attempted the arson. In count two, he is accused of the crime of endangering the welfare of a child. It is alleged in count two, that on Dec. 24 the defendant, at an upstairs apartment on Lake Street in the Village of Le Roy, knowlingly acted in a manner likely to injure the physical, mental or moral welfare of a child less that 17 years old by conduct that included the crime alleged in count one, and by being impaired by alcohol and going to sleep while a 1-year-old child was present.

Thomas A. Park is indicted for the crime of burglary in the second degree, a Class C violent felony. It is alleged that on April 24, Park knowingly entered or remained unlawfully in a dwelling on West Main Street in the Town of Le Roy with intent to commit a crime. In count two, he is accused of the crime of petit larceny, a Class A misdemeanor, for allegedly stealing $550. In count three, the defendant is accused of another act of second-degree burglary sometime between late winter in 2016 and June 15. In that incident, it is alleged that Park knowingly entered or remained unlawfully in another dwelling on West Main Street in the Town of Le Roy with intent to commit a crime. In count four, he is accused of another act of petit larceny during the same time period for allegedly stealing jewelry, a small safe and "a container used for religious purposes." In count five, Park is accused of a third crime of second-degree burglary. In count five, it is alleged that on May 11 or 12, he knowingly entered or unlawfully remained in a dwelling, one he allegedly previously burglarized, with intent to commit a crime. In count six, he is accused of a third incident of petit larceny -- allegedly he stole $100. In count seven, the defendant is accused of a fourth act of second-degree burglary, for the third time at the same location on West Main Street in Le Roy, which occurred on June 16. In count eight, he is accused of petit larceny for allegedly stealing money and greeting cards. In count 10, the man is accused for the fifth time of second-degree burglary at the same residence previously burlgarized several times, this time on June 17. In the last incident, Park allegedly took a Barnett Raptor Crossbow and frozen food items.

Press release:

The Batavia Police Department is looking to question Joel Zsebehazy, in reference to the Key Bank robbery which occurred on Dec. 27 at approximately 10:10 a.m. Zsebehazy is approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 165 pounds with brown eyes. His last known address was 1570 Buffalo Ave. in Niagara Falls.

Zsebehazy is also wanted by NYS Parole for a violation of his parole. Crimestoppers Buffalo is offering up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.

Zsebehazy has a violent, assaultive history, and should be considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Zsebehazy should contact Detective Czora at 585-345-6311, the Batavia Police Confidential Tip Line at 585-345-6370 or Buffalo Crimestoppers at 716-867-6161. The Batavia Police Department is currently being assisted by NYS Parole, FBI Buffalo and Buffalo Crimestoppers.

Earlier today: Local police looking for man on possible parole violation with bank robbery history