Le Roy

Catherine R. Bater, 20, of 112 Lake St., Le Roy is charged with grand larceny and endangering the welfare of a child 1st. Bater was arrested by Le Roy Police on two separate cases. In the first case, Bater is accused of stealing a laptop computer, digital camera and multiple DVDs from a residence on Lathrop Avenue on or about Sept. 25. The camera and computer were recovered. In the second incident, Bater is accused of switching out a prescription of generic Ritalin belonging to a juvenile with high blood pressure medication (Clonidine). The switched medication was subsequently administered to the juvenile causing the youth to lose consciousness. Batar was arraigned and jailed on an unspecified amount of bail.

Eric Bratcher, 22, of 7 1/2 North St., Le Roy, was arrested on a bench warrant. Batcher is accused of violating the terms of his release under supervision contract. Bratcher was originally charged Oct. 16 with burglary, accused of breaking into a Gilbert Street residence and stealing a video game system and games. Bratcher was jailed on an unspecified amount of bail.

Uriah Ian Charles Smoke, 26, of Bloomingdale Road, Basom, is charged with reckless endangerment, 2nd, and criminal mischief. Smoke is accused of throwing a glass coffee mug at a minivan while his girlfriend and their child were in the van. The impact caused the glass of the sliding door window to shatter, spraying the infant with glass. The infant was not injured.

Andrew Joseph Lennox, 23, of Webber Avenue, Oakfield, is charged with trespass. Lennox is accused of being on College Village property after being banned from the property.

Local law enforcement agencies will again participate in the DEA Prescription Drug Drop Program on Saturday.

The program allows local residents to drop off any sort of prescription drug for proper, safe and legal disposal -- no questions asked. 

The locations: 

• Batavia PD, 10 W. Main St., Batavia
• Pembroke Highway Garage, routes 5 and 77, Pembroke
• Le Roy PD, 3 W. Main St., Le Roy

Pictured are Deputy Chris Parker, Genesee County Sheriff's Office; Det. John Condidorio, Le Roy PD; Det. Charles Dudek, Batavia PD.

When Pete Tucci heard his dogs barking around 8:15 a.m., he thought he better take a look out his back window.

"It was like the sun had landed in my back yard," Tucci said, describing the big balls of flame bursting from the rear of his neighbor's house at 7167 W. Main St. Road, Le Roy.

"I went out my back door and I could feel the heat, like an octopus all around me, and there were huge flames, just a big blasts of flames," Tucci said.

Tucci was concerned that his neighbor and friend, Chuck Lathan, whose truck was still in the driveway, was trapped inside.

Le Roy Police Officer Daryl Robb knocked down the front door, but heat and smoke beat him back and he wasn't able to get into the house.

"It was just too thick to get inside," Robb said, adding, "If you don't try, you'll always second guess yourself."

Fortunately, Lathan wasn't inside. He recently started working day shifts, so he was at work, as was his wife, something Genesee County emergency dispatchers confirmed early in the fire.

Le Roy Fire, aided by Bergen, Stafford, Pavilion and Caledonia responded quickly to the fire once reported. (Churchville filled in at Le Roy's hall.)

Tucci said Stafford firefighters started spraying down his house to protect it from the fire as soon as they arrived on scene.

"They did a great job saving my house," Tucci said.

The cause and origin of the fire is yet to be determined, but early indications, an investigator said, are it started around the wood-burning stove in the house. 

The house is a complete loss, and possibly all seven cats owned by the Lathans perished in the fire.

"Chuck and Ellie are such great neighbors," Tucci said. "They're really sweet people, and they lost everything."

(Initial Report (including video))

If the slide show doesn't work right for you, click here.

A structure fire is reported at 7180 7167 W. Main St. Road just outside the Village of Le Roy. A Sheriff's deputy on scene said "It's going pretty good." All traffic is to be shut down. A neighbor tells an officer that a person may still be inside. Le Roy Fire Department is responding along with mutual aid from Pavilion, Stafford, Bergen and the Town of Batavia Fast Team.

UPDATE 8:41 a.m.: Caledonia is en route with five firefighters and they are directed to the scene.

UPDATE 8:45 a.m.: There is confirmation that no one is still inside the structure.

UPDATE 9:29 a.m.: The home, which is completely destroyed, is owned by Chuck Lathan. Seven cats perished inside. A wood stove is believed to have started the fire. A state trooper who was one of the first on scene said smoke was pouring from the chimney before the structure caught fire.

UPDATE 9:38 a.m.: The Le Roy fire chief reports the blaze is out and now crews are overhauling the scene.

UPDATE 11:31 a.m.: Video submitted by Charlie Maniscaclo, owner of Scooter's in Le Roy.

A Le Roy resident has been arrested and charged with using marijuana and cash to pay for unspecified sexual acts.

Taken into custody is Thomas J. Hutton, 28, of 92 Lake St., #2, Le Roy.

Hutton is charged with criminal sale of marijuana, 5th, unlawful possession of marijuana and patronizing a prostitute.

Hutton was jailed on $1,000 bail.

The charges follow an investigation by Le Roy Police into an allegation that Hutton paid a third party cash and marijuana for the performance of sexual acts.

A search warrant was executed on Hutton's residence with the assistance of the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, which allegedly led to the discovery of marijuana at the residence.

This spring, I drove by this old quarry on Golf Road in Le Roy for the first time. It was filled with green water that day and I thought, "I bet in the fall, that green water topped by autumn-colored trees looks pretty awesome." So this afternoon, driving back from Rochester, I thought of the quarry and the picture possibility. It was a bit of a let down to find the water evaporated over the summer. But with the dramatic storm clouds above, I still thought it could make a nice picture.

David Michael Johns, 46, of East Street, Gainsville, is charged with grand larceny, 4th, falsifying business records, 1st, and petit larceny. While employed at Kistner Concrete Products, 10056 East Road, Bethany, Johns allegedly loaded merchandise valued at more than $1,100 into a customer's vehicle and failed to turn in funds to the business from the transaction. Johns is accused of falsifying a packing slip and turning it over to his supervisor in an attempt to account for reportedly missing merchandise. In a separate incident, Johns is accused of loading merchandise into a customer's vehicle with a value of $150 and failing to turn funds over to the business.

Joseph James Lloyd, 40, of 100th Street, Niagara Falls, NY, is charged with grand larceny, 3rd. Lloyd, operating as M. Franklin Home Improvement, Inc., is accused of accepting a payment of $15,000 from a Town of Pembroke resident in October 2010 to build a garage on her property, but Lloyd allegedly failed to use any of the money towards the project.

Matthew C. Higgins, 29, of 2823 Graney Road, Caledonia, is charged with felony DWI. Higgins was taken into custody by Le Roy Police after a concerned citizen initially reported an occupied vehicle parked in the driving lane of Perry Road just south of Route 20. When the citizen approached the vehicle, the driver took off north on Perry and continued into the village. A car reportedly driven by Higgins was stopped on East Main Street in the village after allegedly failing to keep right. Higgins was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Seokjoon Suh, 25, of Batavia Stafford Townline Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 4th. Suh is accused of possessing a collapsible baton while at College Village.

Cody James Sundown, 21, of Skye Road, Tonawanda, was turned over to the Genesee County Sheriff's Office by the Niagara County Sheriff's Office on a bench warrant out of the Town of Pembroke for criminal mischief, 3rd. Bail was set at $750 or $5,000 bond.

Robert Lee Williams, 21, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Williams is accused of violating an order of protection by going to the place of employment of the protected party. The order specifically barred Williams from going to that business location.

Press release:

Effective Monday, Nov. 14, 2011 the hours for the school crossing guard located at the intersection of routes 5 and 19 will change. The crossing guard will be at that location from 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. in the morning and 2:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday when school is in session.  This change does not affect the crossing guards located at the Wolcott Street or North Street intersections.

John M. Forte, 23, of 4898 Ridge Road, Williamson, is charged with burglary, 3rd. Forte is accused of forceably entering a business in the Village of Le Roy on or about Nov. 8 and stealing copper from the basement of the building.

Eric Bratcher, 22, of 7 ½ North St., Le Roy, is charged with burglary, 2nd, and petit larceny. Bratcher is accused of entering the residence of a friend over the weekend and stealing a game system and games. Bratcher was arraigned and released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Marianne Dawson, 50, 20 N. Spruce St., Batavia, is charged with DWI. Dawson was charged with DWI. Dawson was arrested at 5:18 p.m. Monday on Seneca Avenue by Officer Kevin DeFelice.

A 16-year-old resident of Snipery Road, Darien, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. The youth got into an argument with her parents about getting ready and going to school. She allegedly became verbally abusive and threw an item at her father. Family Court had issued an order of protection requiring her not to engage in offensive conduct toward her parents. The youth was released after arraignment and transported to school.

Darleen Angie McComb, 53, of Lake Street, Le Roy, is charged with petit larceny. McComb is accused of stealing a $30 pair of boots from R and D Outlet Center on Clinton Street Road, Stafford.

Basillo Martinez, 48, of Clinton Street Road, Bergen, was arrested on a bench warrant for alleged criminal possession of stolen property and criminal possession of a weapon.

Jeffrey Allen Good, 36, of Route 98, Alexander, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, criminal use/possession of a hypodermic instrument and criminal use of drug paraphernalia. Good was allegedly found by his probation officer in possession of heroin in packaging along with hypodermic needles while in his home. Good was taken into custody by Deputy Brian Thompson. Good was jailed on $5,000 bail.

John Cheston Townley, 36, of Liberty Street, Bliss, was arrested on a bench warrant for DWI. Townley had been incarcerated on unrelated charges in Wyoming County.

A fire in a basement has been reported at 40 48 North St., Le Roy.

The caller believes the fire is out.

Le Roy Fire Department along with a ladder truck from Bergen dispatched, along with Le Roy Ambulance.

UPDATE 4:22 p.m.: Chief on scene. One engine from Le Roy requested, non-emergency. Bergen response is cancelled.

View Larger Map

The following indictments were issued last week by the Genesee County Grand Jury.

Rodney A. Barber is charged with one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, a Class B felony, after he was allegedly found on March 17 to possess the narcotic cocaine with the intent to sell it. The location was 3967 W. Main St. in the Town of Batavia. He is also charged with one count of criminal possession of a controlled subtance, 4th, for allegedly knowingly and unlawfully possessing one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures or substances containing cocaine which had an aggregate weight of an eighth of an ounce or more.

Mark C. Gregori is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, a Class B felony, after he was allegedly found on Nov. 3, 2010 in the Town of Elba in possession of the narcotic cocaine with the intent to sell it.

Michael B. Pfaff is charged with one count of driving while intoxicated, a Class E felony, after he was allegedly found driving a 2008 Suburu on Myrtle Street in Le Roy on April 17 while intoxicated. He is also charged with one count of driving while intoxicated with a BAC of .08 or greater, a Class E felony.

Thomas J. Torres is charged with one count of driving while intoxicated, a Class D felony, after he was allegedly found driving a 2004 Chevrolet on Route 237 in Stafford while intoxicated on April 23. He is also charged with one count of aggravated driving while intoxicated, also a Class D felony, for allegedly having a BAC of .18 or greater.

Jamie L. Broadbent is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, a Class E felony, for allegedly knowingly possessing stolen property with the intention of benefitting herself or a person other than the owner. She was allegedly found in possession of a public benefit card belonging to someone else while in the City of Batavia on May 9.

Chester L. Sherman II is charged with one count of driving a 1998 Chevy pickup truck while intoxicated and one count of driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. The charges stem from his arrest April 20 on Route 262 in Byron.

Jonathan J. Langenfeld is charged with one count of burglary in the first degree, a Class B violent felony, after he allegedly entered private property on Ellicott Street Road in Pavilion on April 17 with the intent to cause, then actually causing, physical injury to a person who was not a participant in the crime. He is also charged with burglary, 2nd, a Class C violent felony, for allegedly entering private property with the intent to commit a crime. And he is charged with assault, 2nd, a Class D violent felony, for allegedly intending to seriously injure a person and then causing serious injury to that person.

New York State Senator Mike Ranzenhofer comes to Le Roy this Friday to meet with constituents. He and a member of his staff will be at Le Roy Town Hall, located at 48 Main St., from 10:30 a.m. until noon.

“Many Le Roy residents wrote letters, sent emails and called my office throughout the legislative session to have their voice heard," says Ranzenhofer in a press release. "But now that session in Albany is over, I still want to hear from constituents. That’s why we’re bringing the New York State Senate to Le Roy on Friday morning."

Senator Ranzenhofer and a representative from his staff will be on hand to listen to residents’ views on important state issues and answer questions concerning state departments or agencies.  "Senior Citizens Guides to Health Care Services" and "Financial Security" and "Focus on Veterans" brochures will also be available.

No appointment is needed. Le Roy residents can contact Senator Ranzenhofer’s District Office by phone at 1-800-597-3517 for more information.

Jolene Janelle Goodell, 31, of Attica Road, Alexander, is charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Goodell is accused of being intoxicated at 7:29 p.m., Monday, and not knowing at that time the whereabouts of her two small children.  Goodell was jailed on $1,500 bail.

Matthew R. Klump, 25, of 61 Myrtle St., Le Roy, is charged with felony DWI, driving with a BAC .18 or greater and no turn signal. Klump was stopped early Saturday morning by a Le Roy Police officer. Klump was jailed on $2,000 bail.

Matthew Scott Williams, 23, of W. Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass and unlawful possession of marijuana. Williams was arrested following a brief pursuit at 1:57 a.m., Monday, with Williams on a bicycle, riding through property in the area of 8127 Lewiston Road, Batavia. Williams allegedly tried to conceal himself in a large building containing equipment and produce, and was located there by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

Samantha Mary Williams, 30, of Warsaw Road, Le Roy, is charged with criminal mischief 4th. Williams is accused of damaging a window screen.

A caller reports to dispatch that his neighbor on Lake Street in Le Roy shot his dog with a BB gun. Le Roy police are responding. No information about injuries to the dog.

An accident is reported on the eastbound Thruway at mile marker 384.9. The driver of one vehicle was unconscious but is now alert. Mercy Flight is called. Le Roy Fire and Ambulance Service are responding.

UPDATE 11:55 p.m.: The mile marker is actually 384.8 on the eastbound Thruway. State Police are on scene. Mercy Flight is on location.

UPDATE 12:09 p.m.: Mercy Flight will not be used and the helicopter is heading back to its base in Batavia.

UPDATE 12:15 p.m.: Le Roy fire units are back in service.

UPDATE 12:39 p.m.: Le Roy medics transported a patient to Strong Memorial Hospital.

Jon Nelson Roblee, 36, of Linwood Road, Le Roy, is charged with menacing, 2nd, and harassment, 2nd. Roblee is accused of throwing a coffee pot at a victim, cutting the victim's hand, and displaying two knives at victims and threatening to kill them. Roblee was jailed on $2,000 bail.

Trevor M. Rich, 30, of 7142 Randall Road, Le Roy, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st, and aggravated harassment, 2nd. Rich is accused of sending threatening text messages to a female he was ordered not to contact. Rich was jailed without bail.

Steven Thomas Schum, 52, of Alleghany Road, Darien, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to signal and moved from lane unsafely. Schum was stopped at 2:25 a.m., Oct. 1, on Darien Alexander Townline Road, Alexander, by Deputy Jason Saile.

Charie Marie Oddo, 50, of Dellinger Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Oddo is accused of stealing clothing items from Kmart.

Robert Edward Greene, 30, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt. Greene is accused of violating an order of protection by placing a phone call to a protected person.

A serious motor-vehicle accident with multiple injuries is reported at 7863 Griswold Road in Le Roy. Le Roy Fire and Ambulance Service and Bergen Fire Department are responding. One person required extrication. Mercy Flight out of Buffalo is called in. A second Mercy Flight helicopter is requested. Multiple Mercy EMS units are called to the scene. Pavilion Fire Department is called to standby in Le Roy's hall.

UPDATE 9:12 a.m.: During the period that our site was down: Second Mercy Flight is cancelled. Bergen stands down. Caledonia Fire dispatched to the scene.

Forty-two-year-old Paul F. Atkinson, of LeRoy, appeared in court today, noticeably limping as he entered courtroom. Atkinson entered a plea of "not guilty" to the charge of felony second-degree Arson.

Atkinson was originally arrested in June, following a destructive fire at his father's Orchard Drive home. Atkinson allegedly admitted to police at the time that he had torched the house after a late-night argument with his father. Atkinson had also written on his Facebook page that night: "Everyone can go to hell, tired of this life."

Public Defender Gary Horton today did not issue any appeal to Atkinson's high bail count. He remains in jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.

Atkinson will return to court on Nov. 14.