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Cabbie's fare drinking beer, refuses to exit the vehicle

By Billie Owens

So a cab driver's fare decides to drink a beer in the back seat on his way to wherever and the cabbie says get out. The guy refuses. The driver calls the cops, who are about to roll up on the taxi, which is roadside with its four-ways on. Didn't hear the location.

Grand Jury Report: Alleged 7-11 robber accused of Class C violent felony

By Howard B. Owens

Michael C. Kraatz is indicted on a count of robbery, 2nd, a Class C violent felony, and grand larcney, 2nd, a Class C felony. Kraatz is accused of robbing the 7-Eleven store at 505 E. Main St., Batavia, on Oct. 6, and in the process injuring another person who was not a participant in the crime. Kraatz is accused of stealing cash from the store, regardless of value, by extortion of the victim.

Jon T. Magliocco is indicated on eight counts of rape, 3rd, a Class E felony, and nine counts of criminal sexual act, 3rd, a Class E felony. Magliocco is accused of being older than 21 years old and on at least eight different occasions, engaging is sexual intercourse or oral sexual contact with a person less than 17 years old. All but one occasion is alleged to have occurred in a house in the City of Batavia and the other incident was allegedly sexual intercourse in a tent in the Town of Batavia.

Aaron W. Clark is indicted on one count of burglary, 2nd, a Class C violent felony, and 11 counts of criminal possession of stolen property, 4th, a Class E felony. Clark is accused of entering a garage of a house on South Bennett Heights, Town of Batavia, on Aug. 3, with the intent of committing a crime. He is accused of unlawfully possessing eight credit cards and three gift cards.

Patrick M. Hackett is indicted on a count of rape, 3rd. Hacket is accused of being 21 or older and engaging in sexual intercourse with a person less than 17 years old.

Heather D. Stone is indicted on a count of burglary, 3rd, a Class D felony, and a count of petit larceny. Stone is accused of entering a residence on Hebard Road, Town of Le Roy, on Aug. 2 or Aug. 3, 2012, with the intent to commit a crime. Stone is accused of stealing deep cell marine batteries.

Brett C. Bartolotta indicted on a count of DWI, a Class E felony. Bartolotta is accused of driving drunk in the Village of Corfu on July 6. Bartolotta was allegedly convicted of a prior DWI in the City of Rochester in July 2010.

Law and Order: Accident on Fotch Road leads to DWI arrest

By Howard B. Owens

Michael Joseph Dorigo, 56, of Buxton Avenue, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or higher and moving from lane unsafely. Dorigo was reportedly involved in a motor-vehicle accident at 10:10 p.m., Sunday, on Fotch Road, Stafford. Dorigo's 2009 GMC was reportedly traveling north on Fotch Road and Dorigo failed to negotiate a curve in the road and drove off the road into a ditch where the vehicle hit an old utility pole base and a large rock. Dorigo's passenger was transported to UMMC with minor injuries. The accident was investigated by Deputy Joseph Graff.

Nina M.E. Kelso, 29, of 142 Hutchins St., Batavia, is charged with unlawful possesion of marijuana. During a check on the welfare of a child at Kelso's residence, Officer James DeFreze allegedly observed marijuana in plain view.

Zackary H. Kelly, 19, of 8 Dartwood Ave., Cheektowaga, is charged with petit larceny. Kelly is accused of shoplifting Amp Engery Drink from Southside Deli.

David Bernard Marsceil, 36, of Arnold Road, Elba, is charged with attempted criminal contempt, 1st. Marsceil, an inmate in the Genesee County Jail, allegedly attempted to send a letter to a person protected from contact by court order.

Colton Andrew Cole, 22, of Warner Road, South Byron, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or higher and no seat belt. Cole was stopped at 4:41 p.m., Sunday, in Byron, by Sgt. Ron Meides after Cole allegedly accelerated quickly and squealed his tires.

Batavia PD seeks public's help in its investigation of Liberty Street store burglary

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The Batavia Police Department is investigating a forcible entry burglary at the I.D. Booth, Plumbing, Heating and Electrical Supply at 60 Liberty St.

The crime took place between 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, and 3 a.m. this morning, Friday, Oct. 18.

Suspects made forcible entry into the business and committed the larceny of a large quantity of Milwaukee brand power and hand tools.

Anyone with information is requested to contact the Batavia Police Department at 585-345-6350. Persons may also provide information via the Batavia Police Department's Confidential Tip Line at 585-345-6370 or by accessing the Suspicious Activity link of the Web site of the Batavia Police Department.

Felony arrest warrant issued for suspect in State Street shots-fired incident

By Howard B. Owens

A felony warrant has been issued for a suspect in the State Street shots-fired incident Sept. 27 as police continue their investigation of that matter as well as the report of shots fired on Jackson Street on Oct. 8.

Police are looking for information on the whereabouts of Batavia resident Dashawn Allen Butler, who is described as a black male, 34 years old, 6' 2" and 183 lbs.

Butler, who has prior arrests in the city, has resided at 101 Summit St.

According to a law enforcement source, Butler was questioned in connection with a shots-fired incident at Walmart on Jan. 22. The following month, the mechanic for a resident who had been at Walmart that evening discovered a bullet had hit the radiator of the car driven by the resident.

Batavia PD can be reached at (585) 345-6350, or the confidential tip line is (585) 345-6370.

Residents are cautioned not to try to apprehend or detain Butler. If seen, witnesses are asked to call 9-1-1 immediately.

According to a release from Batavia PD, investigators are continuing to follow and develop leads in the two recent incidents.

Physical evidence was recovered at the Jackson Street scene and was sent to the NYS Police Forensic Investigation Center in Albany for DNA and fingerprint analysis.

Investigators believe three people were involved in the Jackson Street incident. Two people were identified and questioned and one has been detained on an alleged parole violation and is being questioned further by Batavia PD.

The department is working with members of the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force (the local major crimes unit) and NYS Parole.

“Batavia is not going to tolerant this type of violence,” said Chief Shawn Heubusch in a statement. “We are committed to providing safe neighborhoods for our residents and Police Department and citizen collaboration is vital to maintaining a safe City.”    

Three Rochester men accused of brazen attempt to steal $1,900 in merchandise from Walmart

By Howard B. Owens
Michael Dawson Keith Brantley Eric Strong

Shoplifting at Walmart usually results in a petit larceny charge, but three men from Rochester yesterday allegedly tried to make off with so much loot they were arrested on felony grand larceny charges.

All three were arraigned in Batavia Town Court and ordered held without bail.

Chief Deputy Jerome Brewster said store security informed the Sheriff's Office some time before noon that the three men had entered the store and had been identified as possible thieves at other Walmart locations.

Patrol cars pulled into the Walmart parking lot and waited.

"We waited to see if they were going to pay, or walk out without paying," Brewster said. "They decided they were going to walk out without paying."

The men allegedly pushed out a single shopping cart filled with totes that were filled with merchandise. The men were also accused of having stolen merchandise on them.

The total value of the merchandise was placed at $1,900.

Charged with grand larceny in the fourth degree, a Class E felony, were Keith Lamar Brantley, 43, of Adams Street, Rochester; Michael Joseph Dawson, 49, of Forbes Street Rochester; and Eric Lee Strong, 53, of Wellington Avenue, Rochester.

As brazen as the alleged theft attempt seems to be, Brewster said he believes this sort of crime is common. We just never hear about it.

"I believe this type of retail theft activity is pretty much going on all the time," Brewster said. "The amount of inventory going out of these stores without being paid for is unbelievable."

Law and Order: Two drivers involved in accidents charged with DWI

By Howard B. Owens

Robert Daniel Nowakowski, 38, of Bonnie Brae Drive, Darien, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and failure to keep right. Nowakowski was arrested following an investigation into a traffic accident on Route 20, Darien, at 6:39 p.m., Thursday. Nowakowski stated he swerved to avoid a deer and reportedly overcompensated. His car struck a National Grid utility pole, shearing the pole near ground level. The accident was investigated by Deputy Patrick Reeves. (Initial Report)

Richard Matthew Godlove, 35, of Main Street, Oakfield, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or higher, failure to obey traffic control device, moving from lane unsafely and failure to notify DMV of address change. Godlove was involved in a motor vehicle accident at 7:03 a.m., Sept. 14 on Route 237, Byron. Godlove reportedly drove his vehicle on a closed portion of Route 237 and struck a concrete barrier. Godlove was arrested following completion of a toxicology test.

Ellen Marie Martinez, 26, of Main Street, Batavia, is charged with falsifying business records, 1st, and grand larceny, 3rd. Martinez is accused of falsifying Section 8 records while receiving benefits through Pathstone, resulting in $10,054 in wrongfuly obtained benefits.

Alleged attempt to avoid traffic stop leads to minor accident in trailer park

By Howard B. Owens

A driver's alleged attempt to avoid a traffic control device at Route 33 and Batavia Stafford Townline Road drew the attention of a trooper this morning and led to a short pursuit that ended when the car struck a mobile home.

The driver of the car and her passenger where both arrested.

Cailee A. Neiss, 19, of Byron, was charged with several traffic violations including reckless driving and avoiding a traffic control device.

Nickolas Sutherland, 23, of Byron, was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and unlawful possession of marijuana.

Neiss allegedly drove through the Arrowmart parking lot in an effort to avoid the stoplight at the intersection.

According to State Police, "the operator, upon seeing the flashing lights of the patrol car, attempted to avoid being stopped, drove recklessly turned onto Gaslite Lane and subsequently struck a mobile home causing minor damage."

Nobody was home at the time and there were no injuries reported in the accident.

Neiss was issued a summons; Sutherland was issued an appearance ticket.

NY State Court of Appeals unanimously upholds Scott Doll's murder conviction

By Billie Owens
Mug shot of Scott Doll the morning of his arrest.

Today the New York State Court of Appeals unanimously upheld the murder conviction of Scott Doll.

A jury found him guilty on May 20, 2010 of killing Joseph Benaquist, a fellow former corrections officer and business partner.

The main consideration of the appellate judges was whether the police took appropriate action under what's known as the emergency doctrine in detaining Doll without reading him his Miranda warnings and initially interviewing him without an attorney present. Law enforcement's response "to a serious and ongoing exigent situation under the emergency doctrine" was deemed reasonable.

In the ruling by the seven justices, the circumstances of the case were recapped:

On Feb. 16, 2009, Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy James Diehl responded to a report of a suspicious person walking on Lake Road in Pembroke and he found a man wearing a camouflage hunting outfit and a white hood. The man dropped a metal object and pulled a lug wrench from his pocket and the officer saw what appeared to be wet blood stains on the man's knees, thighs, hands and shoes.

When asked, the man produced a correction officer identity card with his name on it -- Scott Doll, who proceeded to say he was out walking to lower his blood pressure because he had a doctor's appointment the next day. He asked for a ride to his van at a car lot and the deputy agreed to take him there.

Once inside the patrol car, the firefighter who initially placed the 9-1-1 call came to the scene and told the officer that he'd noticed the defendant at the lot and the guy turned away and crouched between two cars to try and hide. Based on this information, the deputy told the defendant he was being detained until the situation was assessed. Doll was frisked and handcuffed.

When asked about the blood on his clothes, Doll said his was wearing his camouflage outfit because it was cold, but didn't explain why the clothes had wet blood on them. The deputy drove Doll to his van and discovered blood in several places inside and outside the van and bloody gloves nearby.

Soon other police officers arrived and noticed blood on Doll's face and noticed he left bloody footprints in the snow. Around this time Doll asked to speak to his divorce attorney. He was then questioned about whether the blood was from a deer or a human, Doll declined to explain the source of the blood or to take the officers to an alleged butchered deer.

Judge J. Gaffeo wrote: "These unusual circumstances caused the deputies to believe that a person may have been injured in an accident or assault so they continued to question (the) defendant despite his request for legal assistance."

Doll repeatedly told officers he couldn't answer their questions and police tried contacting his family and acquaintances to determine whether anyone needed emergency aid. Officers also searched the area for an injured person. Eventually, they went to the defendant's business partner's house and discovered Benaquist bludgeoned to death in his driveway. In the meantime, police impounded Doll's van and took him to the Sheriff's Office, where he was photographed, DNA tested, and his clothes seized.

Hours later, a friend and former coworker asked to speak with Doll. An investigator, who was aware of the business partner's demise, initially rebuffed the visitor. Then the investigator relented and said he would be staying in the room and taking notes.

Doll told the woman that the case didn't involve an animal; he had been present but didn't do anything; the case was "open and shut"; he would be going to jail and probably get what he deserved.

The investigation, indictment for second-degree murder and prosecution followed.

Doll's attorney, Paul Cambria, moved to suppress statements made to police and to his female friend, as well as all the physical evidence, primarily claiming his client had been arrested without probable cause, interrogated in violation of his right to counsel and without receiving his Miranda warnings.

Genesee County Court conducted an evidentiary hearing and ruled the detention and questioning of the defendant were justified under the emergency doctrine. However, County Court did suppress the defendant's DNA test results because the police could've obtained a warrant.

A jury subsequently convicted Doll of second-degree murder and he was sentenced to a prison term of 15 years to life. That conviction was appealed and in 2012 the Appellate Division majority determined the police actions were reasonable in this emergency situation. Two justices dissented, saying the emergency doctrine was not applicable since the police didn't know whether an actual crime victim existed.

The dissension allowed Doll's attorney to then appeal to the New York Court of Appeals. The justices agreed that police properly relied on the emergency doctrine in light of the "peculiar circumstances" they were confronted with because "...the emergency doctrine is premised on reasonableness, not certitude."

As to the defense seeking to suppress statements Doll made to his friend at the Sheriff's Office, saying it amounted to the police using the woman to conduct the functional equivalent of a custodial interrogation, the Court of Appeals disagreed. Its ruling states the purpose of the Miranda rule is to prevent government officials from "using the coercive nature of confinement to extract confessions that would not be given in an unrestrained environment." As a matter of law, Doll's conversation with his friend did not constitute an interrogation.

Finally, as to Doll's challenge of the legality of his detention by police, the panel ruled it had no merit.

Niagara County officer admits to assault during concert at Darien Lake

By Howard B. Owens

A Niagara County police officer who was involved in an altercation at Darien Lake in 2012 admitted in county court today that her reckless conduct while intoxicated caused injuries to another concert goer.

Kelly L. Alcorn, 48, entered a guilty plea to third-degree assault, a Class A misdemeanor, with no condition on sentencing.

The Grand Island resident was originally arrested Aug. 25 and charged with harassment, 2nd, but after the victim in the case went to the media claiming serious injuries and drawing attention to Alcorn's law enforcement status, the District Attorney's Office took a closer look at the case.

In February, Alcorn was indicted on a single count of assault, 2nd.

As part of her plea today, Judge Robert C. Noonan asked Alcorn a series of questions, starting with whether she was at the concert and whether she was intoxicated, which Alcorn admitted.

When Noonan asked Alcorn if her body came into contact with the body of the victim, causing her to hit a cinder block wall, Alcorn conferred with her attorney.

Alcorn admitted to wrestling with the victim on the floor and hitting her and that those swings recklessly caused injury to the victim.

Section 120(7) of the NYS penal code defines one type of third-degree assault as recklessly causing injury to another person.

At time of sentencing, Alcorn will be seeking a relief from civil disabilities, which is a form Noonan can sign that would enable Alcorn to continue her law enforcement career, or take other government employment, or seek employment in certain state-licensed fields.

Sentencing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., Jan. 9.

Latoya Jackson given five and a half years in prison on assault convictions

By Howard B. Owens

A Batavia woman whose name is well known to regular readers of local police blotters is going to prison for five and a half years after being sentenced in County Court on her first felony conviction.

Latoya D. Jackson, 27, who has a long list of arrests for alleged misdemeanors ranging from disorderly conduct, reckless endangerment, harassment, weapon possession, resisting arrest and petit larceny, was sentenced on two counts of assault, 2nd.

On Sept. 16, Jackson entered conditional guilty pleas to the assault charges in exchange for a guaranteed concurrent sentence on both counts. Jackson pled guilty, but did not admit to committing the crime, only that a jury would likely find her guilty (known as a Alford Plea).

One of Jackson's victims, a cousin, said she was glad to see that Jackson would receive justice today.

"When I tell people my cousin cut me (explaining a scar on her face), they look at me like I'm crazy," the young woman said.

District Attorney Lawrence Friedman asked Noonan to consider the maximum sentence available under the plea agreement, which would have been seven years in prison.

Larry Ader, Public Defender's Office, argued that Noonan's best option was to give Jackson a probation-based sentence. If Jackson has finally learned she needs to go in a different direction with her life, that would be best, Ader argued, but if Jackson hasn't learned her lesson and violates probation, Noonan would be able to send Jackson away for up to 14 years.

"I'm not going to stand up her and say my client is a stranger to the criminal justice system," Ader said. "She's not. But this is her first felony.

"I think that as you well know, we don't know what it will take to finally change somebody's behavior and Ms. Jackson is quite aware that she's been given chances in the past to change her behavior and it hasn't work," Ader added. "If she doesn't change at this point with two felonies hanging over her head, you could punish her with a longer sentence than is available today."

Noonan said he agreed with the recommendation of the DA and the Probation Department that Jackson be sent straight to prison.

"It appears you've had many an opportunity to wake up and see that your life is going in the wrong direction," Noonan said. "Now you stand here convicted of two serious crimes and you negotiated for yourself concurrent sentences, which was probably a wise thing for you to do."

Law and Order: Man accused of slapping child in face

By Howard B. Owens

Roger L. LaShure Sr., 46, of 3322 W. Main Road, #51, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st, acting in manner injurious to a child less than 17 and harassment, 2nd. LaShure allegedly slapped a child in the face. There is reportedly an order of protection in place barring LaShure from having contact with the child.

Troy D. Schimley, 20, of 144 Main St., Attica, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Schimley is accused of sending threatening text messages to a family member in Batavia.

Law and Order: Batavia man accused of menacing with loaded shotgun

By Howard B. Owens

Kevin Michael Lampman, 40, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with menacing, 2nd. Lampman allegedly pointed a loaded shotgun at another person during an argument. He was jailed on $2,000 bail.

Ian J. Blake, 26, of Le Roy, is charged with criminal possession of marijuana, 5th. Blake was allegedly found in possession of a baggie of more than 25 grams of marijuana while on Lake Street, Le Roy. Blake was jailed on $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 bond.

Faith Brenda Obeirne, 45, of Mount Read Boulevard, Rochester, is charged with petit larceny and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Obeirne was arrested in Monroe County on a warrant out of Town of Batavia Court. She was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Saul Doynseday Standsblack, 35, of Parker Road, Alabama, is charged with burglary, 2nd, and forcible touching. Standsblack is accused of illegally entering a residence on Bloomingdale Road, Alabama, and forcibly touching the intimate parts of a person inside the residence. Standsblack reportedly left the residence on foot and was located a short time later by deputies Matthew Fleming and Jason Saile and taken into custody. Standsblack was jailed on $10,000 cash bail or $100,000 bond.

Colin Michael Borgus, 21, of Savage Road, Churchville; Kaci Lynn Sciarabba, 20, of East North Street, Geneva; and, (name redacted upon request), 21, of Queensland Drive, Spencerport, are charged with criminal possession of marijuana, 5th. The three people were allegedly found at 10:05 p.m., Oct. 3, in a car with the windows down in a public parking lot in Oakfield smoking marijuana.

Investigators looking for two white males believed have shot video cameras in park in Stafford

By Howard B. Owens

The Sheriff's Office is looking for whomever damaged three cameras at Emery Park in Stafford this (Correction from the Sheriff's Office: Thursday) morning by shooting the cameras with a BB or pellet gun.

The cameras and the surrounding area of the shelter were damaged.

The two suspects are believed to be white males in their early 20s. Photos should be available for publication later today.

Anyone with tips for investigators can contact the Sheriff's Office at (585) 343-5000.

Alexander man accused of stealing copper in Wyoming County

By Howard B. Owens

A Town of Alexander resident is being accused of scrap metal thefts in the Town of Orangeville, Wyoming County.

Todd C. Arnold, 44, of 4272 Broadway Road, Alexander, is charged with two counts of grand larceny, 3rd, and one count of criminal mischief, 2nd.

Arnold is accused of stealing copper from the Town of Orangeville Windmill Power Station.

The investigation into the alleged theft was conducted by Acting Sheriff Greg Rudolph, Forensic Technician Deputy Steve Miller, Deputy Katie George, Deputy Miachel Bentham, Attica Patrolman Brian Marsceill, Gensee County Sheriff's Sgt. Ron Meides and Investigator Bill Ferrando.

Following arraignment in the Town of Orangeville, Arnold was returned to the Genesee County Jail, where he is being held on unrelated matters. Bail on the Wyoming County case was set at $150,000.

Law and Order: Two people accused of shoplifting at Walmart

By Howard B. Owens

Emisha Marie Milton, 19, of Thurston Road, Rochester, is charged with petit larceny. Milton is accused of shoplifting at Walmart.

Jacob Lamar Jenkins, 32, of Manitou Road, Rochester, is charged with petit larceny. Jenkins is accused of shoplifting at Walmart.

Christopher Brian King, 22, of Pearl Street Road, Batavia, is charged with aggravated harassment, 2nd. King is accused of contacting a person by phone after being told not to contact that person.

Drug Task Force arrests Dellinger Avenue resident on drug dealing charge

By Howard B. Owens

A Dellinger Avenue resident has been arrested and accused of dealing crack cocaine.

Amanda J. Slack, 26, is charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, following a nine-month investigation by the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force.

Slack is accused of selling a quantity of crack to an undercover agent.

A grand jury issued a sealed indictment and Slack was arrested yesterday and jailed on $10,000 bail.

Law and Order: Batavia man charged with burglary and assault following alleged domestic incident

By Howard B. Owens

Leon C. Bloom, 31, of 122 State St., Batavia, is charged with burglary, 2nd, strangulation, 2nd, assault, 3rd, and endangering the welfare of a child. Bloom is accused of unlawfully entering a dwelling of a family member Sept. 22 and assaulting and strangling the victim while children were present.

David Lee Langdon, 27, of 219 N. Spruce St., Batavia, is charged with forcible touching and unlawful imprisonment. Langdon was arrested following an alleged domestic incident. No further details released. Langdon was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Trevor M. Rich, 32, of 13 Clay St., Le Roy, is charged with disobeying a mandate. Rich is accused of violating an order of protection.

Terry L. Ritchey, 41, of 8927 Alexander Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speeding and unlawful possession of marijuana. Ritchey was stopped at 11:50 p.m. Wednesdayon Jackson Street, Batavia, by Officer Jason Davis.

Carla L. Spikes, 23, 39 S. Pearl St., Oakfield, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Spikes is accused of being involved in a domestic incident with a city resident.

William Edward Atherton, 62, of Pearl Street, Oakfield, was arrested on a warrant related to an alleged violation of probation. Atherton was arrested in Warsaw and arraigned in County Court then released to County Probation.

Daniel Thomas Henning, 33, of Bank Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Henning allegedly stole $40.85 in merchandise from Walmart.

Devon L. Heveron, 21, of Medina, is charged with DWI and unlawful possession of marijuana. Heveron was stopped at 2 p.m. Tuesday on Route 63, Town of Pavilion, by State Police.

Carrie A. Stewart, 33, of Attica, is charged with petit larceny, criminal trespass, 3rd, and false personation. Stewart was arrested by State Police Batavia at Target. No further details released.

Police announce arrest of suspect in alleged robbery of 7-11 in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Not only was Michael C. Kraatz hauled off to jail today in handcuffs, his car was impounded as well as part of a Batavia PD investigation into a Sunday morning strong-arm robbery of the 7-11 store on East Main Street.

Kraatz is charged with robbery, 3rd, grand larceny, 4th, and resisting arrest. He was jailed without bail pending his next court appearance.

The 34-year-old Batavia resident is accused of entering the 7-11 at 4:04 a.m., Sunday, grabbing a clerk and demanding money.

The suspect fled the store on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.

When asked about the robbery this morning, Chief Shawn Heubusch characterized the case as "a very active investigation."

Three hours after Heubusch made that statement, police were knocking on the door of a residence on North Spruce Street.

Officers reported over the radio that the suspect was fleeing -- Kraatz allegedly jumped out of a rear window -- and minutes later an officer reported that he was "15" (code for making an arrest) with the suspect in the parking lot behind the apartments at 20 N. Spruce St.

As part of the investigation, police identified a late model Mercedes Benz as a suspect vehicle, which may have helped lead them to Kraatz. The vehicle was impounded shortly after Kraatz was taken into custody.

The Sheriff's Office and State Police, along with Genesee County Jail personnel, assisted in the investigation and apprehension of Kraatz.

Investigating the case from Batavia PD were: officers Arick Perkins and Matt Lutey; detectives Paul Caffo, Kevin Czora and Charles Dudek; Det. Sgt. Pat Corona, Todd Crossett and Sgt. Dan Coffey.

In New York, a person is guilty of fourth-degree grand larceny when the value of the property stolen exceeds $1,000.

CLARIFICATION and UPDATE: While one subdivision of grand larceny 4th states a theft of property worth $1,000 or more, there's also a subdivision that covers the alleged use of extortion and the threat of physical harm during the course of the theft.  That is why Kraatz was charged with grand larceny 4th.  However, it turns out, that the same set of circumstances can also lead to a charge of grand larceny 2nd and the charge against Kraatz are scheduled to be upgraded today to grand larceny 2nd.

Previously: Police nab suspect in robbery of 7-11

Police nab suspect in robbery of 7-11

By Billie Owens

Batavia police have apprehended a suspect in a Sunday morning robbery of the 7-11 convenience store on East Main Street (former Wilson Farms location).

The robbery occurred at 4:04 a.m. Sunday and investigators believe the suspect got away with an undisclosed amount of cash.

After tracking down a series of leads, city police closed in on a residence on North Spruce Street late this morning. The suspect tried to flee but was captured after a brief foot chase. No further information is being released at this time.

 

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