Skip to main content

crime

Passenger falls from bed of pickup truck in Darien, driver charged with DWI

By Howard B. Owens

A passenger riding in the back of a pickup truck on Fox Trail Road in Darien at 1:04 a.m. suffered a head injury and was taken by ground ambulance to UMMC while the 17-year-old driver of the truck was charged with DWI.

The Sheriff's Office did not release the name of the accident victim.

Taken into custody was Norman Peter Locher, of East Center Road, West Seneca. He was also charged with driving with a BAC of .08 or higher, no seat belt for the driver, operating out of class and leaving the scene of a personal injury accident.

Darien fire assisted at the scene and transported the patient to UMMC.

The investigation was conducted by Deputy Jason Saile.

Few arrests at Vans Warp Tour at Darien Lake

By Howard B. Owens

The Sheriff's Office announced the following arrests Saturday during the Vans Warp Tour at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center.

Charles W. O’Shea, 35, of 6972 W. Main Road, Le Roy, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st, and aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, after allegedly being found operating in an intoxicated condition in the campground area. 

Shalanda L. Darden, 24, of North Hampton Street, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

Jed T. Jastrzemski, 18, of Rumbold Avenue, North Tonawanda, was the only person cited for alleged possession/consumption of alcohol under age 21.

Alleged assault requiring Mercy Flight among arrests at Kid Rock concert

By Howard B. Owens

The Sheriff's Office made the following arrests during the Kid Rock concert Friday at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center.

Jordan J. Apps, 35 of Bertie Bay Road, Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada, is charged with third-degree criminal mischief after allegedly punching the window out of a vehicle. Apps was on $20,000 bail.

Craig M. Lawson, 34 of Talbot Street, Ontario, Canada, was charged with third-degree assault after allegedly punching another patron in the face knocking him unconscious. The victim was transported to ECMC by Mercy Flight. Lawson was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Brian R. Becker, 38 of Eastham Court, Webster, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and operating with a suspended registration.

Patrick J. Gillen, 22 of Baywood Drive, Cheektowaga, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

Jhon A. Polanco, 16 of North Clinton Avenue, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

The following people were cited for alleged possession/consumption of alcohol under age 21.

Elliot J. Austin, 18, of Claybed Road, Filmore
Abbey C. Paulsen, 17, of Route 19 Filmore
Megan A. Bailey, 18, of Roszyk Hill Road, Machias
Charles C. Lorraine, 20, of West Walworth Road, Macedon
Chelsea M. Wartinger, 20, of Corydon Drive, Depew
Kriston M. Farrell, 20 of Beale Avenue, Cheektowaga

Reminder from Batavia PD: Lock it up

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The Batavia Police Department is currently investigating several recent burglaries to unsecured garages/sheds. The Batavia Police Department would like to remind citizens to secure any and all of their property when it is not attended. If anyone has any information regarding the recent burglaries, please contact the department at (585) 345-6350.

Law and Order: Driver charged with DWI after short pursuit by deputy

By Howard B. Owens

David W. Maxwell, 62, of Vine Street, Batavia, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, failure to dim headlights, failure to keep right, refusal to take breath test and controlled substance not in original container. Deputy Kevin McCarthy spotted Maxwell's car at 10:09 p.m. Tuesday on Route 33 in Pembroke and Maxwell allegedly failed to dim his headlights for oncoming traffic. When McCarthy attempted a traffic stop on Maxwell's car, Maxwell allegedly refused to pull over. A short pursuit followed and Maxwell eventually pulled over on Route 33 in the Town of Batavia.

Donna Marie Kroft, 59, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Kroft is accused of shoplifting at Kmart on Tuesday.

Dora Poodry, 19, of Basom, is charged with petit larceny. Poodry was arrested by State Police for an alleged incident reported at 9:18 p.m., Wednesday, at a location on Veterans Memorial Drive. No further details released.

Fourteen arrests, scores of citations at Dave Matthews concert

By Howard B. Owens

The following arrests were made Wednesday by the Sheriff's Office during the Dave Matthews Band Concert at Darien Lake Theme Park.

ToniMarie Gigante, 39, of Hallam Road, Buffalo, is charged with disordlerly conduct after allegedly causing a disturbance and refusing to leave the concert venue. Gigante was arraigned and jailed on $250 bail.

Christopher K. Grasso, 30, of Westside Drive, Rochester, is charged with harassment, 2nd, after allegedly pushing an officer who was breaking up a fight. 

Shane M. Curry, 18, of Broxbourne Drive, Fairport, is charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly attempting to fight a deputy in the concert venue. Curry was jailed on $100 bail.

Thomas W. Hummel, 17, of Chapel Hill Drive, Rochester, is charged with criminal possession, of a controlled substance, 7th, and unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly possessing oxycodone and marijuana.

Michael D. Capezzuto, 19, of Fenwick Lane, Victor, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, after allegedly jumping onto the hood of a car, causing damage.

John R. Adams, 17, of Welsey Avenue, Buffalo, is charged with trespass after allegedly jumping a fence into a restricted area of the concert venue.

John M. Vandemoortel, 31, of Chadwick Drive, Waterloo, is charged with disordley conduct after allegedly using obscene language, causing a disturbance.

Robert C. Stapleton, 44, of Orchard Street, Ovid, is charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly fighting with security while being escorted from the concert venue.

John J. Stefaniak, 18, of George Street, Hamburg, is charged with criminal trespass, 3rd, after allegedly jumping a fence into the concert venue after being previously ejected from the concert.

Lawrence J. Lent, 20, of Bownshill Lane, Fairport, is charged with trespass after allegedly reentering the concert venue after being told not to return.

Patrick T. Van Vortel, 19, of Garnsey Road, Pittsford, is charged with harassment, 2nd, after allegedly striking a deputy while being ejected from the concert venue.

Matthew D. Wieczorek, 44, of Westminster Avenue, Syracuse, is charged with trespass after allegedly reentering the concert venue after being ejected.

Rachel M. Sanchez, 24, of Lake Street, Angola, is charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly using obscene language and causing a disturbance while exiting the concert venue.

Kristen B. Faricellie, 17, of Wood Acres Drive, East Amherst, is charged with trespass after allegedly entering the concert venue without a ticket.

The following people received apperance tickets for alleged unlawful possession of marijuana:

Kelsey B. Sargent, 20, of Creek Road Extension, Lewiston
Matthew W. Ortiz, 20, of Gleason Circle, East Rochester
Richard S. Bailey, 24, of Garage Road, Farmington
Keith D. Langdon, 18, of Dublin Road, Penfield

The following people were issued citations for alleged possession or consumption of alcohol under age 21:

(Name redacted upon request)  18, of Ashford Court, East Amherst
Gabriel S. Zumpano, 19, of State Route 28, Barneveld

(Name redacted upon request), 19, of Shirley Avenue, Buffalo
Daniel J. Miller, 19, of Norbrook Road, Fairport
Rachel D. Anderson, 18, of Drayton Parkway, Hamburg
Thomas W. Gavin, 18, of Frontier Drive, Blasdell
Brian M. Castonguay, 17, of Willowbrook Drive, Orchard Park
Ryan M. Enright, 19, of Buffalo Road, Churchville
Adam C. Ludwicki, 20, of Knollwood Drive, Churchville
Ian F. Mohr, 17, of Wildmere Road, Rochester
Michael E. Anvelt, 19, of Forest Wood Lane, Pittsford
William C. Phelan, 18, of New England Drive, Rochester
Madeline R. Kalke, 18, of Rogers Parkway, Rochester
Luke A. Tierney, 18, of Minuteman Trail, Rochester
Brandon W. Hardy, 20, of Bridlepath Lane, Lancaster
(name redacted upon request), 18, of Caroline Lane, Elma
Nicole E. Deming, 18, of Country Club Drive, Syracuse
Annessa N. Sax-Bolder, 19, of Hillair Circle, White Plains
Avery P. Palardy, 20, of Joseph C. Wilson Boulevard, Rochester
Zachary J. Mietus, 20, of Congress Avenue, Rochester
Zoe T. Duberstein, 19, of Antlers Drive, Rochester
Hannah E. Roselli, 19, of Mill Street, Hornell
Allison E. Roberts, 19, of East Washington Street, Hornell
Danielle K. Dero, 19, of Bradnell Avenue, Le Roy
Nicholas C. Augostini, 20, of Foxburn Road, Penfield
(Nane removed upon request), 20, of Mt. Liberty Drive, Penfield
(name removed upon request), 20, of Genesee Street, Rochester
(name removed upon request), 20, of Genesee Street, Rochester
Kristine N. Celeste, 18, of Scovell Drive, Lewiston
Patrick J. Gardner, 18, of Oakbrook Drive, Williamsville
Marissa A. Peltier, 19, of Clarence Center Road, Clarence
Nicholas J. Ferry, 19, of Hollingson Road, Clarence
Julia L. Griffith, 19, of Doncaster Road, Kenmore
Roseann J. DeVito, 20, of Canandaigua-Farmington Townline Road, Canandaigua
Robert M. Dicioccio, 18, of Lynn Drive, Orchard Park
Emily A. Wood, 18, of Nottingham Terrace, Hamburg
Trevor J. Snyder, 18, of Ellis Road, Orchard Park
Katherine E. Janish, 19, of North Lake Drive, Orchard Park
Mary J. Russo, 20, of Chapel Woods, Williamsville
Shannon E. Wrona, 18, of Traverse Boulevard, Buffalo
Kevin C. Ort, 18, of Sannita Drive, Rochester
Rosemarie L. Leach, 19, of Affinity Lane, Rochester
Shannon M. McCooey, 18, of Sunrise Terrace, West Seneca
Alayna M. Wageman, 19, of Sandlewood Drive, Getzville
Kristen L. Waskosky, 20, of Berkley Drive, Lockport
Nicole M. Carcione, 20 Leete Road, Lockport
Stephanie E. Hudson, 18, of Polar Drive, Penfield
Sean P. Byrne, 20, of South Geddes Street, Syracuse
Taylor M. Novakowski, 18, of MDL Cheshire Road, Canandaigua
Zachary R. Zimmerman, 20, of County Route 65, Watertown
Matthew J. Barvaccia, 19, of Sunrise Park, Pittsford
(name redacted), 20, of Maple Street, Hornell
John N. Dagon Jr., 20, of Maple Street, Hornell
Matthew R. Dansa, 19, of Chase Drive, Orchard Park
Monica M. Reiser, 18, of Birdsong Parkway, Orchard Park
Dennis F. Segrue, 18, of Chateau Place, Mendon
Cameron E. Orlando, 17, of Stratford Lane, Rochester
Madeline M. Box, 19, of Crestwood Road, Corning
Austin J. Antkowiak, 18, of Burbank Drive, Orchard Park
Kerry J. Winter, 19, of Holmes Hill Road, Conesus
Brendan P. Hart, 18, of Cynthia Circle, Orchard Park
Joseph F. Dagher, 18, of Via Marina, Williamsville
Brodie A. Egan, 18, of Velcoda Drive, Rochester
Jessica A. Kuzdzal, 20, of New Road, Amherst
Alyssa M. Filiatreau, 19, of McBurney Road, Clifton Springs
Lucia M. Forte, 19, of Lin Road, Utica
Daniel E. Gershman, 20, of Evelyn Avenue, North Bellmore
(name redacted upon request), 19, of Clooney Drive, Henrietta
Matthew S. Leonard, 19, of Cape Henry Trail W. Henrietta
Allison A. Yacono, 19, of Tumbleweed Drive, Pittsford
Kevin M. Burke, 16, of Chase View Road, Fairport
Cody M. Grasso, 20, of West Bihrwood Drive, West Seneca
Patrick J. Crowley, 20, of Union Road, West Seneca
Stephen R. Greiner, 19, of Highpoint Court, Orchard Park
Danielle K. Ruf, 16, of Hitree Lane, Rochester
Alexandra N. Emiliano, 18, of Christina Drive, North Chili
Kendra N. Thomas, 19, of Beartown Road, Painted Post
Taylor N. Royce-Parvlot, 20, of Chestnut Street, Corning
Peter M. Gropp, 19, of Shannon Glen, Fairport
Michael B. Caruso, 20, of Neuchatel Lane, Fairport
James T. Coon, 18, of Culver Parkway, Rochester

Law and Order: Oakfield woman charged with felony DWI

By Howard B. Owens

Karen Lynn Jones, 49, of North Street, Oakfield, is cahrged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and speeding. Jones was stopped at 10:49 p.m. Sunday on Lewiston Road, Batavia, by Deputy Matthew Fleming.

Donna Marie Kroft, 59, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Kroft allegedly had contact with a protected party at a bank April 9. She allegedly confronted and spoke to the person. She was arrested Tuesday during an investigation into an unrelated larceny complaint.

Law and Order: Woman accused of pawning stolen laptop

By Howard B. Owens

Stephanie G. Pelkey, 18, no permanent address, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, 5th. Pelkey allegedly pawned a stolen laptop, using her NYS learner's permit for identification, at Computer and Phone Repair in Batavia.

Nicholas A. Gaudy, 21, of 11 Allen St., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Gaudy is accused of stealing alcohol from Main St. Pizza Company.

Brodes J. Gibson, 52, of 13 Thorpe St., Batavia, is charged with grand larceny, 4th. Gibson is accused of taking the wallet of another person on Jackson Street. The wallet allegedly contained a credit card.

Carolyn Anne Laurie, 18, of Clay Street, Le Roy, is charged with petit larceny. Laurie is accused of shoplifting at Kmart. Also charged, Morgan Nicole Scofield, 18, of Clay Street, Le Roy.

Ronald Gregory Carney, 25, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to keep right and moved from lane unsafely. Carney was stopped at 2:14 a.m., Saturday, on Wortendyke Road, Batavia, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Ettienne Eloy Ayala, 40, of Gelson Street, Buffalo, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd. Ayala was arrested on a warrant following an investigation into a complaint at Target.

Barbara Ann Likely, 55, of Jay Street, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Likely was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by Deputy Joseph Corona in Bergen for an alleged traffic violation.

Jacqueline Raj Garrett, 34, of East Main Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Garrett allegedly stole $39.99 in merchandise from Kmart.

Brandon J. March, 28, of Le Roy, is charged with criminal contempt. Marsh allegedly violated a court order on June 23 in Darien and was arrested by State Police. No further details released.

Kenneth M. Gray, 21, of 77 Myrtle St., Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and disorderly conduct. Gray was allegedly in a confrontation June 21 with Alexander A. Chandler, 21, of 25 Bacon St., Le Roy. He also allegedly drove to the Bank of America parking lot while intoxicated. Alexander was also charged with disorderly conduct.

Motorcycle rider accused of reaching speeds of 140 mph during pursuit

By Howard B. Owens

It allegedly took 25-year-old Christian John Finkney, a Wyoming resident, a mere 22 minutes to get from the Erie County line to Wyoming early Sunday morning while riding his motorcyle.

That's a distance of nearly 25 miles.

A deputy allegedly clocked his bike at times during the high-speed pursuit at 140 mph.

Finkney faces a laundry list of charges following his arrest by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Reeves originally picked picked up a speeding motorcycle at 1:15 a.m. while running radar on Route 20 going 80 in the 55 mph. The deputy attempted a traffic stop, but the motorcycle allegedly sped up and started passing passenger vehicles.

The operator was observed allegedly swerving in and out of his lane as he sped east through Darien and Alexander.

The bike driver then reportedly turned onto Molasses Hill Road and started heading south into Wyoming County.

He was eventually stopped on Route 19 in Wyoming.

The State Police and Wyoming County Sheriff's Office assisted in the alleged pursuit along with Deputy Frank Bordonaro.

The South Academy Street resident was taken into custody without incident.

Finkney is charged with:

  • DWI
  • Driving with a BAC of .08 or greater
  • Unlawfully fleeing a police officer
  • Reckless driving
  • Speeding
  • Failure to yield to emergency vehicle
  • Speeding in zone
  • Passing in no passing zone
  • Failure to keep right
  • Unlicensed operator

He was issued an appearance ticket and ordered to appear in Town of Darien Court on July 11 at 5 p.m.

Washington Avenue resident accused of robbing Pandora's Boxxx with shotgun

By Howard B. Owens

A suspect has been arrested in the armed robbery June 12 of Pandora's Boxxx, Ellicott Street Road, Batavia.

Investigators executed a search warrant just after midnight at a residence on Washington Avenue and took into custody 36-year-old Sean P. Case.

Case is charged with robbery in the second degree, a Class C felony.

Case is also a person of interest in an armed robbery of a convenience store in Pavilion on Monday night.

It's alleged that Case used a sawed-off shotgun when he entered Pandora's Boxxx at 11:38 p.m. just as a clerk was closing the store and demanded the store's money.

Case was taken into custody last night without incident when members of Batavia PD's Emergency Response Team came to his door.

Participating in the investigation and arrest were deputies James Diehl and Frank Bordonaro, Investigator Kristopher A. Kautz, the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force, Batavia PD and the District Attorney's Office.

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible.

Following arraignment in Town of Batavia Court, Case was jailed without bail.

Two men questioned after burglary in Pavilion released without charges

By Howard B. Owens

Two men who were found wandering on Transit Road after a burglary on Shepard Road, Pavilion, were questioned by State Police and released, according to Trooper Victor Morales, public information officer for Troop A, Batavia.

The first man was taken into custody while State Police were still trying to determine if anybody was in the house on Transit Road.

He was questioned and denied any knowledge of the house.

The burglary was reported just before noon. Multiple law enforcement agencies responded. A witness hadn't seen the suspects leave the house, so as a precaution before sending troopers in to search the house, robots were used to check inside.

The robots were able to help investigators determine that the house had, in fact, been broken into, but it took a contingent of troopers actually going inside to confirm the house was unoccupied.

The burglars apparently managed to escape before back-up law enforcement units arrived.

Hours after State Police cleared the scene, at about 7:30 p.m., dispatchers received reports of a man approaching residents on Transit Road, not far from the burglary scene, asking for directions to Texaco Town and asking to use a telephone.

Deputies and troopers converged on the area and the State Police helicopter was called in.

At about 8 p.m., while a trooper was talking to a resident and the subject of the search walked toward them and was taken into custody.

He was taken to the Batavia Barracks and questioned, but was later released from custody.

The investigation is continuing.

State Police have not said whether any physical evidence that could aid the investigation was recovered inside the house.

Previously:

Three teens from Medina face charges related to high speed chase in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Three teenagers from Medina are facing criminal charges following last night's high speed chase through the City of Batavia.

Angel T. Calderon, 16, of 23 S. Main St., #2, Treyvon K. Johnson, 17, of 816 S. Main St., and Syed A. Baity, 18, of 221 Commercial St., were all jailed without bail pending a court appearance tomorrow.

They are charged criminal possession of stolen property, 4th, and obstruction of governmental administration, 2nd.

The incident began around 9 p.m. when dispatchers were informed that a red pickup truck had been stolen in Medina and the truck was last seen southbound on Route 98 heading into Genesee County.

Immediately, an Elba resident reported seeing the truck pass through the village.

Soon after, Deputy Matt Fleming spotted the vehicle southbound on Route 98 and began a pursuit that reportedly reached speeds of 70 mph heading into the city.

Once on Oak Street, the truck drove over a curb by the Hess Mart and struck a pole.

Witnesses said the light pole crumbled and the truck missed by inches two young women at the gas station. The falling pole narrowly missed a Batavia resident's brand new Porsche sitting next to a gas pump. 

The truck also struck another vehicle in the area and then continued eastbound on Main Street.

After racing through city streets, the truck crashed into a fence in a residential yard at 9 Buxton Ave. and the three occupants tried to flee the scene on foot.

The occupants are allegedly Calderon, Johnson and Baity.

Two of the teens were taken into custody almost immediately. A third was captured on the track at Woodward Field/Van Detta Stadium. 

The suspect who ran toward Van Detta reportedly ran through a yard were a family was gathered and nearly ran into a pregnant woman holding another mother's baby, according to witness statements on Facebook.

A police officer suffered a minor injury during the foot pursuit.

Police believe Calderon was the driver and he is charged with reckless endangerment, 1st, unlawful fleeing a police officer, 3rd, and 33 vehicle and seven traffic law violations.

Baity was also charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

The defendants are scheduled to appear in City Court at 11 a.m. tomorrow for a bail review.

Grand jury indicts man for alleged oral sexual conduct with person under 17

By Billie Owens

Here are the latest indictments issued by the Genesee County Grand Jury:

Kyle H. Morse is indicted on four counts, all stemming from alleged actions on Sept. 21, 2012 in the Town of Elba.

He is accused of criminal sexual act in the first degree, a class-B felony, for allegedly engaging in oral sexual conduct with another person by forcible compulsion.

In count two of the indictment, Morse is accused of sexual abuse in the first degree, a class-D violent felony, for allegedly subjecting another person to sexual contact by forcible compulsion.

In count three, Morse is accused of criminal sexual act in the third degree, a class-E felony, for allegedly engaging in oral sexual conduct with another person without that person's consent. This alleged lack of consent was by reason of some factor other than incapacity to consent.

In count four, Morse is accused of sexual misconduct, a class-A misdemeanor, for allegedly engaging in oral sexual conduct with another person without that person's consent, and the person was deemed incapable of consent by vurtue of being less than 17 years old.

John J. Slack and Penny S. Sprague are both indicted on two counts each stemming from alleged actions June 16-17, 2012 on Knowlesville Road in the Town of Alabama.

In count one, they are accused of second-degree burglary, a class-C violent felony, for allegedly  entering and remaining unlawfully in a dwelling with the intent to commit a crime. In count two, they are accused of grand larceny in the third degree, a class-D felony, for allegedly stealing property having a value in excess of $3,000 -- in this case, jewelry, money, electonic devices and other property valued at about $11,000.

Franchesca A. Barrome is accused of criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, a class-E felony. It is alleged that during Feb. 5-17, 2013, in the Town of Batavia she knowingly possessed stolen property with intent to benefit herself or a person other than the owner, or to impede recovery of the property by the owner. The property was a college ID card.

In count two of the indictment, Barrome is accused of petit larceny, a class-A misdemeanor, for allegedly stealing property by using the ID card to make unauthorized purchases. In count three, she is accused of criminal trespass in the second degree, a class-A misdemeanor, for allegedly entering and remaining unlawfully in a dwelling.

Gary W. Woronowski is accused of driving while intoxicated, a class-E felony, for allegedly operating a 2000 Subaru while intoxicated. This allegedly occurred Feb.1, 2013 on Main Road in the Town of Pembroke. In count two, he is accused of driving while intoxicated, per se, as a class-E felony, for allegedly having a BAC of .08 or more at the time.

Woronowski is also accused of having been convicted of DWI, as a misdemeanor, in 2007 which is within 10 years of the crimes alleged in this indictment.

Chad M. Dart is accused of driving while intoxicated, a class-E felony, for driving a 2013 Chevy pickup on Route 33 in the Town of Stafford on March 10, 2013 while intoxicated. He is also accused of having been convicted of DWI, as a misdemeanor, in 2004, which is within 10 years of the crime alleged in the indicment.

Lastly, the Grand Jury returned a No Bill on DWI charges against Ronald J. Tombari III stemming from alleged incidents which occurred Dec. 12, 2012 in the Town of Pavilion.

Law and Order: DWI arrest in Bergen

By Howard B. Owens

Craig Russell Williams, 32, of Greenway Boulevard, Churchville, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to keep right and moving from lane unsafely. Williams was stopped at 12:49 a.m. on Rochester Street, Bergen, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Ryan Christopher Riggi, 18, of Lake Street, Le Roy, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, unlicensed operation and failure to signal. Riggi was stopped at 1:15 a.m. Wednesday on Main Street, Batavia, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Second suspicious person taken into custody in area of Pavilion burglary

By Howard B. Owens

Update on the burglary in Pavilion today: A second person of interest was taken into custody by State Police on Transit Road about 8 p.m. less than two miles from the burglary location.

The man was identified as an individual who had approached two residents on Transit Road looking to use a telephone and asking for directions to Texeco Town.

After residents reported the suspicious behavior. State Police and the Sheriff's Office set up a perimeter around the area and the State Police helicopter was called in to assist in the search.

A trooper who had just joined the search stopped on Transit Road to talk with one of the homeowners and while they were talking, the subject of the search walked toward them and the trooper ordered him onto the ground.

The subject was taken back to the Batavia Barracks for questioning. No word yet confirming whether he was involved with the burglary.

Previously: Quick State Police response thwarts burglary in Pavilion, but suspects slip out before dragnet in place

High speed chase of suspected stolen truck ends with three men in custody

By Howard B. Owens

Less than 10 minutes elapsed from the time local law enforcement was informed of a suspected stolen pickup truck heading into Elba from Orleans County to the time three men were taken into custody by Batavia PD.

The report hit the scanner and an Elba resident apparently heard the APB and contacted dispatchers when the truck passed through the village.

Within two minutes, a Sheriff's deputy was behind the truck heading south on Route 98.

The truck was reportedly traveling at 70 mph. It headed into the city and struck a pole near the Hess station at Oak and Main. It then turned left onto Main and reportedly struck another vehicle.

The truck was next reported making a left onto Prospect, was reported on Richmond, then New York Place and then Genesee Street.

Sgt. Jason Davis drove north on Buxton and blocked southbound Buxton. The truck couldn't make the turn from Genesee to northbound Buxton and crashed into the fence of a front yard on Buxton.

Three men jumped from the vehicle and ran. During the foot pursuit an officer suffered a possible knee injury. 

Two suspects were taken into custody almost immediately. A third suspect ran west and was apprehended on the track of Woodward Field/Van Detta Stadium.

Sgt. Dan Coffey said it's too soon to determine what charges might be filed against the men, but they're facing possible multiple charges in Orleans and Genesee counties and the City of Batavia.

We'll provide more information about the arrests once it is available.

(Initial Report)

Possibly stolen pickup truck from Orleans County results in high-speed chase in the city

By Billie Owens

A possibly stolen red Dodge pickup truck from Orleans County was driving at a high rate of speed from Elba south on Route 98 into the city, reaching speeds of 70 mph. One of the male occupants is now in custody at Buxton Avenue and Genesee Street. The vehicle came to rest at 9 Buxton and an officer is down with a knee injury in the back yard there. Mercy medics are responding.

Another occupant was located in the bleachers at Van Detta Stadium and after officers gave him directives, he was subsequently arrested at 9 Pickthorn Drive.

There are three suspects altogether. Another address involved is 21 Vernon Verona Ave.

UPDATE 9:31 p.m.: A police officer was taken to UMMC for treatment of an injury.

Quick State Police response thwarts burglary in Pavilion, but suspects slip out before dragnet in place

By Howard B. Owens

For nearly five hours today, State Police commanders figured time was on their side after receiving a report that would-be burglars were still inside a residence on Shepard Road in Pavilion.

A neighbor saw an older tan minivan pull into the driveway of the residence and two men got out and appeared to enter the house. The minivan then left.

Trooper John Szymkowiak arrived on scene within minutes of the initial report and a witness told him that the men he'd seen enter the house hadn't left.

Szymkowiak, who was dispatched just before noon, immediately called for backup and requested assistance to establish a perimeter around the house. He also requested an investigator from the Batavia Barracks and a K-9 to the scene.

State Police were assisted by the Livingston County Sheriff's Office and the uniformed and plain clothes members of the Genesee County Sheriff's Office. Deputies also set up road blocks on both ends of Shepard Road for a couple of hours and patrolled the area looking for the minivan.

With all the necessary support in place, State Police commanders took a very deliberate approach to determining whether the suspects were still inside.

"Once we have a perimeter set up, we know nobody is going to leave at that point," said State Police Lt. Kurt Schmidt. "Apparently they got out before we set up, but you can never help that. We set up a quick perimeter, so we're sure at that point that the house is ours. There's only a very few things that would make us want to hurry and none of those were present today."

The first step in the deliberate process of determining whether suspects were inside was to deploy a robot from the Livingston County Sheriff's Office. That robot, equipped with a camera, checked all around the house looking for any evidence of entry or exit.

Next, the robot unit from the State Police arrived on scene. So two robots were deployed. One was equipped with a key to the entry door from the garage. The other was used to drop a steel block in place to hold the door open once it was unlocked.

The robots then entered the house and began a room-by-room check of most of the downstairs.

With the owner watching a television over the shoulder of one of the robot operators, he could see that a TV was missing, drawers and been opened and other items were missing from their proper locations.

At that point, with confirmation that burglars had entered the house, Schmidt said the operation took an even more methodical approach to ensure no suspects were inside.

"We have technology and we're not in any big hurry," Schmidt said. "We have a visual on all sides. We have robots that go inside, so no troopers are in any danger. That takes time and you get kind of tired waiting around, but it's worth it because we don't want to take a risk."

As time dragged on, State Police began to increasingly believe the structure was empty, so members of the other agencies began to peel away and go back in service.

The robots continued to search the house and its operators told to any possible suspects inside that the robot was from the State Police and that K-9s would be sent into the house if they didn't surrender.

A door was closed to one downstairs room and a robot was positioned there, so if suspects were inside they wouldn't be able to open the door.

About this time, a man who had been found wandering down Transit Road was brought to the scene. The Rochester resident couldn't explain why he was in Pavilion, according to police, so he was taken into custody and transported to the Batavia Barracks for questioning.

"The person we're speaking to now stated he was never at this house," Schmidt said. "We believe he was, but we don't have any evidence to say he was, so he's not giving us anything -- as far as anybody else who might have been around."

The person being questioned is black. A witness could describe the skin color of the men who entered the house, but believed they were wearing colorful clothes.

The suspect vehicle is described as an older tan minivan, which was last seen on Transit Road.

After the suspicious person was taken into custody, the State Police helicopter was dispatched to conduct a search of the area.

Once the robots had searched the house a bit, Schmidt said police felt there was little chance the suspects were still inside, but as a matter of continued caution, K-9s on long leashes were sent in first.

It took about 20 minutes for troopers to clear the house and confirm the suspects were no longer inside.

It appeared that most, if not all, of the homeowner's belongings that the burglars intended to steal were stacked by the front door, waiting for the minivan to return for loading, but Szymkowiak had arrived on scene before that could happen.

Schmidt said troopers take crimes such as this seriously and do everything they can to bring the culprits to justice.

"For burglary in progress, I don't know the term, I guess, it's a hot call," Schmidt said. "That's somebody's home and it's broad daylight. None of the residents were at home, but it's a sensitive issue. Your home is your castle and somebody is entering that right during broad daylight so that gets our attention. We hope we can catch them. We hope to catch them today."

At 7:15 p.m., the helicopter was still searching the area and troopers and investigators were still on scene.

UPDATE 8:06 p.m.: A suspect law enforcement was looking for is now in custody. They had been looking in the area of Sparks, Shepard and Transit roads. They learned that a Hispanic male went to a couple of residences and asked to use the phone. One of the residents tried to keep the suspect in sight. The man asked for directions to Texaco Town.

Law enforcement scours Pavilion for burglary suspects

By Billie Owens

Shortly before noon today residents on Shepard Road in Pavilion saw a light-colored minivan pull up to a neigbor's house. Witnesses said two men got out of the vehicle and knocked on the front door, then went around to the back of the house and the van drove away.

The neighbors called law enforcement and when State Troopers arrived, witnesses told them that they believed the two men entered the house and might still be inside. State Police and Sheriff's deputies from Genesee and Livingston counties responded to the scene.

A robot was deployed to check the interior of the house and with the help of the homeowner, intestigators determined someone had been in the house and items were missing.

A man from Rochester was located about an hour ago walking on Transit Road and is now in custody. It's unconfirmed whether he's connected to the case. A State Police helicopter has been deployed to search the area. State Police are still on scene.

A couple of minutes ago, Mercy medics were called non-emergency to stage in the area of Transit and Shepard roads to possibly assist the police.

(Howard is there and will have more complete coverage later.)

UPDATE 4:32 p.m.: The State Police entered the house found no one inside, thus clearing the scene. It appears the burglars were thwarted in their crime, leaving items taken from the house piled by the front door.

Authentically Local