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Police Beat: Homeless man accused of stealing money from prayer box in LeRoy church

By Howard B. Owens

Stephen W. Quigley, 55, who is reportedly homeless and traveling from Texas to Ohio, was arrested by Sgt. Timothy Hays of Detective John Condidorio of the Le Roy Police Department yesterday on a charge of petty larceny. Quigley is accused of entering a local church and attempting to steal money from the candle prayer offerings. He is being held on $500 bail.

Robert W. Walsh, 22, of Rochester, was stopped by Corfu police for allegedly driving without headlights. Upon further investigation, officers suspected he was driving while intoxicated. He was charged with DWI and issued an appearance ticket.

Alana M. Thompson, 18, of Lockport was charged with DWI following a traffic stop by Corfu police for allegedly speeding in the village. She was issued an appearance ticket.

Kelly J. Hinkle, 20, of Addison, Maine, is charged with DWI. Hinkle was reportedly spotted on Route 33 in Batavia making an unsafe lane change and then stopping. He is accused of having a BAC of .08 or higher. Hinkle was issued an appearance ticket.

There were two arrests at last night's Kenny Chesney concert at Darien Lake:

Jordon E. Burns, 18, of Orchard Park, is accused of taking a wallet with a debit card in it from a parked vehicle. He is being held in Genesee County Jail on $10,000 bail.

Jessica A. Sheer, 18, of Caledonia, is accused of slapping another person in the face.  She is charged with disorderly conduct. Sheer was issued an appearance ticket and released.

Kelly Hansen

Too bad he didn't know that the church he was attempting to steal from would have gladly tried to help him out if he needed food or other assistance. Sad situation.

Jun 5, 2009, 7:44am Permalink
Gary Spencer

JT makes an excellent point, NY is just a little bit out of the way for somebody traveling from TX to Ohio!
and Kelly makes an even better point in that the church would have helped him if he had asked.
Now the tax payers can feed him for a couple days and then send him on his way.
Very sad.

Jun 5, 2009, 8:05am Permalink
Bea McManis

Arriving in LeRoy on his trek from Texas to Ohio also caught my eye. I guess we can't fault him. He probably couldn't afford a map and overshot his mark.
Yes, I'm sure the church would have helped him.

Jun 5, 2009, 8:23am Permalink
Peter O'Brien

Maybe he was hitchhiking and thats how he got to WNY which is only a couple hours from Ohio and there is a lot of traffic from here to cleveland.

Jun 5, 2009, 9:11am Permalink
bud prevost

Years ago, there was a hotel named Dargan's next to the tracks. Run by Mary Jane and Vinny Darby. This story flashed me back to my early 20's, I was bartending for them. St Peters church is up the street, (maybe the church in this story?) and they often would send transients to Vinny for a meal. Not only would Mr. Darby give them food, he also would let them stay a night in the hotel, or take a shower. This was one of the 1st times in my adult life I saw true compassion for a fellow human being. He didn't do it because the government mandated it, or because he wanted to look good in the community, he did it because it was kind, caring and the right thing to do. That has stuck in my head the last 25 years, and I do my best to live by that example. I know this has nodda to do with the story, but it felt good to share. :)

Jun 5, 2009, 9:43am Permalink
bud prevost

I am replying to this post from last summer to inform anyone who knew her, that Mary Jane Darby passed away from cancer at 85. She was the tough one in the good cop/bad cop team she and her husband formed, but MJ had a heart as big as anything, and I am a better person for having known Mr. and Mrs. Darby. On this Christmas Eve, I think a little nip of VO in her memory will be appropriate. God Bless her family at this time, and give them strength to carry on.

Dec 24, 2009, 8:20am Permalink

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