Suspect in Le Roy Village melee over stolen pot jailed
The Le Roy Police Department arrested warrant suspect James J. Santiago Jr., of 31 Myrtle St., Le Roy, after he turned himself into the Le Roy Police Department accompanied by his attorney.
The arrest stems from the intensive investigation into the disturbance which occurred Jan. 23 at his address in the village in which three persons were sent to the hospital for knife wounds to the arm, neck and chest, respectively.
The police were able to determine that this disturbance was the result of an alleged robbery of two ounces of marijuana.
It is alleged that between 10 p.m. and midnight Friday, Jan. 22, people from Le Roy, including Santiago, ordered two ounces of marijuana from a person in Batavia. The marijuana was delivered and the deal was to take place in a local parking lot. During the transaction, the marijuana was allegedly forcibly stolen by Santiago who then left the area.
The person who brought the marijuana called others from Batavia notifying them of the robbery at which time six people drove to Le Roy to attempt to get the marijuana back.
The group arrived in Le Roy and walked to Santiago's residence where they allegedly confronted Santiago demanding the return of the marijuana. When he refused, an alleged violent physical altercation occurred involving a knife and golf clubs. Afterwards, the group fled the area without the marijuana.
Santiago is being charged with one count of robbery 3rd (forcible stealing of the marijuana), assault 2nd (assault with a weapon) and criminal possession of a weapon 3rd (possession of a weapon with intent to use against another and having been previously convicted of a crime). All charges are Class D-Felonies. Santiago was arraigned before the Hon. Charles Dusen of the Town of Le Roy Court and committed to the Genesee County Jail without bail.
The Le Roy Police were assisted in this investigation by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department, the Genesee County Drug Task Force, the New York State Police and the Genesee County District Attorney’s office.