Woman who prompted water rescue search arrested on warrant
A woman who at one point Wednesday night authorities feared may have wandered into a fast-moving Tonawanda Creek, was found later apparently safe in a mobile home on West Main Street Road in the Town of Batavia.
The woman was taken into custody on a bench warrant for alleged criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th.
Jailed on $100,000 bail was Lisa Mae Rugh, 38, of Elm Street, Batavia.
The incident started about 6:30 p.m. when a woman was observed by a passerby lying on the shoulder of Route 5 near Pudgie's Lawn and Garden Center.
The woman, later identified as Rugh, denied a need for help, though she appeared intoxicated, according to the witness.
Rugh began walking south behind Pudgie's toward the Tonawanda Creek.
Members of the Sheriff's Office searched the area but could not locate Rugh.
The department's K-9 unit was called to the scene and "Pharoah" reportedly tracked Rugh to the edge of the creek.
At about that time, members of the East Pembroke Water Rescue Team were in route to the scene. Also dispatched were volunteers from the Town of Batavia Fire Department as well as Alden and Corfu.
"Pharoah" continued tracking Rugh and she was located at Lot #8 of Dreamland Trailer Park, 3540 W. Main St. Road, Batavia.
When deputies identified Rugh they discovered she had an active bench warrant for her arrest.
The Genesee County Emergency Services Office also assisted in the search for Rugh.