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Manhunt underway off South Main Street for shoplifting suspect

By Billie Owens

A manhunt is underway in the city for a would-be shoplifter who fled Tops Friendly Market within the last half hour, abandoning a cart with items he allegedly intended to steal.

Customers followed him and city police joined the pursuit, which had been by South Lyons Street and wound up in the vicinity of the old sewer plant off South Main Street. 

State troopers and Sheriff's Deputy Chris Erion and canine Destro (in photo above) are also searching the area. 

The only description of the suspect at this point is that he's a white male wearing a black plaid shirt and possibly eyeglasses.

UPDATE 4:52 p.m.: The suspect is described as being in his mid-40s, balding, and also wearing jeans and white sneakers.

UPDATE 5:20 p.m.: The manhunt continues with Destro and his handler, Deputy Erion, focusing on the north side of the Tonawanda Creek.

UPDATE 6:06 p.m.: The manhunts continues, with a BOLO that's updated to say the suspect has on a red hoodie over a long-sleeved shirt, dark pants, and "bright shoes."

Steve Hackett

Manhunt??? For a shoplifter???... maybe we should call the SWAT team or the national guard in....I think law enforcement should focus there time and our money on the heroin epidemic going on in the city.... people are dying for God's sake....JOKE!!!!!

Sep 30, 2018, 6:49pm Permalink
david spaulding

where the hell is that tank Batavia just bought from the Army? a little drone signals the tank and BAM , one less shoplifter and a message to all future shoplifters.

Oct 1, 2018, 6:23pm Permalink

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