Skip to main content

crime

Assault of Byron man and theft of his guns leads to four years in prison

By Howard B. Owens

A Holley man who assaulted a Byron resident and then stole three long guns from him in April will serve four years in prison followed by five years of supervised release.

Darrell Bruce Reid, 45, who admitted to assault, 2nd, in May, said today that he was sorry for the attack and blamed alcohol for his behavior.

"I would like to say I'm sorry to (the victim)," said Reid. "I didn't mean for this to happen. Of course, the next day I was concerned that I hurt him bad. I did not intend to go there to rob that man or to beat him or to hurt him. There were some things said and alcohol provoked it."

While Reid has a lengthy criminal history, including prior felony convictions, both his attorney Billy Tedford and Judge Robert C. Noonan noted that this is Reid's first violent felony.

"I just encourage you to do whatever you can do in state system to get on the right track before you’re released," Noonan said.

Reid's mother and girlfriend both wrote letters of support and were in court during the sentencing.

Reid was also ordered to pay $1,900 in restitution to the victim for hospital bills.

Police Beat: Oakfield man accused of growing four marijuana plants

By Howard B. Owens

Jeremy Dean Lyons, 25, of Judge Road, Oakfield, is charged with unlawful growing of cannabis and unlawful possession of marijuana. Lyons is accused of having four marijuana plants growing outside of his residence in plain view. He was arrested at 6:42 p.m., Sunday, by Deputy Patrick Reeves.

James C. Cooper, 47, of 7 1/2 North St., Le Roy, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Cooper was taken into custody after Le Roy Police responded to a report of a disturbance at 1:27 a.m., Saturday, on North Street.

UPDATE: Two additional items from the weekend that did not initially reach our inbox for some reason:

Robert Steven Zona, 53, of Lake Street Road, Le Roy, is charged with rape, 1st. Zona, reportedly a resident of Le Roy Manor, is accused of attempting to rape another resident. Zona was arraigned and released under supervision of Strong Memorial Hospital for mental health evaluation.

James Christain Oehler, 18, of Lake Road, Bergen, is charged with unlawful fleeing a police motor vehicle, and numerous other alleged traffic violations. Oehler is accused of failure to stop his motorcycle on Route 19 in the Village of Bergen. Oehler was reportedly first observed doing 49 mph in a 30 mph zone on Route 19 near Rochester Street in the village. Oehler reportedly turned onto Hunter Road and then Swamp Road, where his speed allegedly exceeded more than 25 mph over the posted speed limit. Oehler was subsequently located at his residence on Lake Road. Upon investigation, Oehler was allegedly operating an unregistered and uninsured motorbike with improper license plates.

Man accused of hitting deputy in the face

By Howard B. Owens

A Sheriff's deputy was accosted early this morning by a man accused of wandering down Colby Road in Darien yelling threats toward residents.

Brett Franklin Dieter, 32, of Lewiston Road, Basom, reportedly tried to avoid Deputy Patrick Reeves when he arrived on scene at 1:37 a.m. When contacted by Reeves, Dieter allegedly shoved Reeves and hit him in the face.

Dieter was reportedly drunk at the time of the incident.

Neither Reeves nor Dieter were injured.

Dieter was charged with disorderly conduct and harassment, 2nd. He was issued an appearance ticket and order to appear in Town of Darien Court on July 20.

New set of car break-ins in Pembroke

By Howard B. Owens

The Sheriff's Office is investigating a series of car break-ins on Gabby Road, Town of Pembroke that occurred Thursday night between 10:30 and midnight.

Four cars were entered at two residences and one credit card was taken.

The card was used or attempted to be used at several stores in Erie County. 

Chief Deputy Jerome Brewster said not all of the charges were available as of yesterday, but the total is likely only a few hundred dollars.

The value of other items stolen likely exceeds $1,400 (GPS units, purses, sunglasses, etc.).

Brewster said these break-ins do not appear related to the credit card thefts from cars reported earlier in the week.

There's no new information available on that case.

Cow tipping incident at Cornell Cooperative Extension

By Howard B. Owens

Overnight, somebody pushed over the cow in front of the Cornell Cooperative Extension.

An officer on scene said the anchors appear out of the ground, but it doesn't look damaged.

Dispatch is attempting to contact an extension representative.

UPDATE: Officer Ed Mileham was still on scene when I stopped by for a quick picture and he said last week, pranksters hit the extension, too. Somebody rearranged the lettering of the message board to read "Eat Meat July 2." The cover of that board is now held in place by a padlock. The cow was anchored only with tent spikes.

Police Beat: DWI arrest

By Howard B. Owens

Clinton Stanley Worthington, 20, of Genesee Street, Corfu, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and no/inadequate stop lamps. Worthington was stopped at 2:25 a.m. in the area of 8974 Upton Road, Batavia, by Deputy James Diehl.

Police Beat: Drug Task Force raids two homes in county on Wednesday

By Howard B. Owens

Charles Thigpen Gus "Gusto" Williams, 31, of 4213 Cookson Road, Alexander, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd, and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. The Local Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at 4213 Cookson Road, Alexander, on Wednesday afternoon. Williams was allegedly found in possession of crack cocaine, powder cocaine, Hydrocodone, Suboxone and $770 in U.S. currency. Williams was jailed on $15,000 bail.

Dyllon E. Soccio, 20, of 134 Tracy Ave., Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 4th, criminal possession of marijuana, 2nd, and three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. The Local Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at 134 Tracy Ave., Batavia, on Wednesday afternoon. Soccio was allegedly found in possession of 3/4 of a pound of Psilocybin (mushrooms), about 2 1/2 pounds of marijuana, a quantity of powder cocaine, Hydrocodone, Valium and $2,096 in U.S. Currency.  Soccio was jailed without bail.  Additional charges may be pending.

A 17-year-old resident of Prospect Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. The youth is accused of placing items in her purse while at Tops Market and attempting to leave without paying.

Police Beat: A pair of pot busts and a driver accused of being on drugs while driving

By Howard B. Owens

Kimberly Lynn Blue, 21, of 7 Wood St., Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, and unlawful possession of marijuana. Blue was reportedly a passenger in a vehicle stopped for alleged traffic offenses 5:53 p.m., Tuesday. During the stop, she was allegedly found in possession of a quantity of marijuana and Ritalin. The stop was made by Deputy Brian Thompson.

General G. Sanders, 38, of Haxton Lane, Oakfield, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Local law enforcement made contact with Sanders when a van was stopped in order to execute a bench warrant out of the Town of Batavia for a passenger in the van, Jeremy Lyons. The stop was made at 2:33 p.m., Tuesday, by Deputy Brian Thompson and a unit from the State Police. During the stop on Angling Road in Pembroke, Sanders was allegedly found in possession of marijuana.

Luke M. Tarnacki, 19, of Sandridge Road, Alden, is charged with driving while impaired by drugs, failure to keep right, unlawful use of an electronic device (texting) and aggravated unlicensed operation. Sheriff's deputies Ron Meides and Chris Parker were dispatched at 7:47 a.m., Wednesday, to the scene of an alleged accident on Route 33 near Read Road in the Town of Batavia. A vehicle had driven through a ditch and left the scene. Tarnacki was located later and reportedly admitted to texting while driving. Tarnacki reportedly crossed two lanes of traffic and drove off the roadway on the opposite shoulder. Upon further investigation, deputies determined that Tarnacki was allegedly driving while impaired by drugs. Tarnacki was jailed on $3,000 bail.

Attorney skeptical letter contained any kind threat against Sheriff employee

By Howard B. Owens

After his client entered a not guilty plea to an aggravated harassment charge, attorney Dan Killelea read the letter for the first time that Dawn Doll allegedly wrote a Sheriff's Office employee and shook his head.

After court, Killelea said, "I can't see a single threat in the entire letter."

He said he will need to research the case further before deciding on a defense, but he indicted he isn't sure there was even a crime committed when Doll, sister of convicted murderer Scott F. Doll, allegedly mailed the letter in a Father's Day card to one of the officers involved in the murder investigation.

The Sheriff's Office employee wrote in an affidavit that he felt threatened by the letter.

"The content of the letter was disturbing to me," he wrote. "The fact that a Father's Day card was sent along with the letter and receiving the envelop on Father's Day was very threatening to me and my family members."

Scott Doll was convicted by a jury last month of killing Joseph Benaquist outside Benaquist's Pembroke home.

Dawn Doll appeared in City Court at 1 p.m. accompanied by friends and family to answer to the Class A misdemeanor charge.

In a statement Doll reportedly made to a State trooper at the time of her arrest Saturday, Doll said she had come to understand writing the letter was the wrong thing to do.

"I should never have done it," Doll reportedly said. "If I could take it back, I would."

Judge Michael DelPlato issued an order barring Doll from having contact of any kind through any means with the Sheriff's Office member she allegedly wrote the letter to.

Killelea assisted Paul Cambria in the defense of Scott Doll.

Fight at Village Park in Bergen results in injuries

By Billie Owens

A fight in progress, with injuries, at the Village Park in Bergen has been reported. Sheriff's deputies are responding and an ambulance was called to the fire department to standby.

The dispatcher says the caller claims a woman was lured to the park by two females and then assaulted. She needs an ambulance and has a head laceration.

The two assailants are still on location. One is in custody. The scene is secured.

Suspects sought in alleged credit card thefts

By Howard B. Owens

Local law enforcement is looking for individuals who allegedly used stolen credit cards to make purchases at a retail store in Batavia.

The credit cards were allegedly stolen from a vehicle parked on Gateway Drive on June 14.

Credit cards were also stolen from a car on Park Road on June 4.

Batavia PD is investigating the Gateway Drive theft and the Sheriff's Office is investigating the Park Road incident.

The individuals in the picture above are wanted for questioning in the case. They may be driving the car in the picture below.

Police are asking persons who may have information on the identity of the suspects to contact the Batavia Police Department’s Detective Bureau at (585) 345-6444 or the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department at (585) 345-3000 x-3570. Persons can also leave information on the Batavia Police Department’s Confidential Tip Line at (585) 345-6370.

Police Beat: Harassment charge filed against Bergen woman

By Howard B. Owens

Tonya L. Buzzell, 27, of 26 Rochester St., Bergen, is charged with aggravated harassment. Le Roy Police report that officers responded to a report of a domestic disturbance in the village allegedly involving Buzzell.  Some time later, Buzzell allegedly sent a series of harassing text messages to a resident of the village. The alleged incidents occurred Saturday.

Judge lifts order of protection so man charged with larceny can work for alleged victim

By Howard B. Owens

A Warsaw man accused of grand larceny in a complicated scheme to steal money and building materials was in City Court today asking that an order of protection for two alleged victims be lifted.

The attorney for Dustin Hurlburt, 32, said Hurlburt could complete work if the order was lifted.

The District Attorney did not object to the request.

The orders were lifted.

Hurlburt is due back in court Aug. 10.

(Dan Fisher at WBTA contributed to this report.)

State Street burglar ordered to pay restitution of $1,400

By Howard B. Owens

Reginald Wilson, convicted for his role in a burglary on State Street in September, must make restitution of $1,400 Judge Robert C. Noonan ruled today.

Already sentenced to 15 years in prison, Wilson was escorted into Genesee County Court by state prison guards for his 2 p.m. restitution hearing.

The elderly lady who was sleeping in her bedroom at the time of the burglary testified that she had to have the locks changed on her house, her car and replace a number of missing items.

A state victims' fund paid her $195 to help some of the costs associated with the crime, and she received more than $500 from her insurance company, but she still out about $700.

Noonan ordered that Wilson begin paying restitution immediately from his inmate fund to the victim. When she is paid off, he is to pay the state's victim fund, followed by the insurance company.

If the sum isn't paid off by the time of his term is up, Wilson is to begin making $100 monthly payments 60 days after his release.

If the other defendants -- Joseph Dash and Dillon Brito -- are ordered to pay restitution, they will share the expense until the $1,400, plus a 5-percent fee, is paid off.

Scott Doll's sister accused of harassing member of Sheriff's Office over murder investigation

By Howard B. Owens

The sister of convicted murderer Scott F. Doll is in trouble this week.

Dawn Doll, 53, of 19 Thompson Drive, Corfu, is accused of sending an unwelcome Father's Day card to a member of the Sheriff's Office involved in the investigation of the murder of Joseph Benaquist in Pembroke.

The card reportedly contained a handwritten letter that accuses the officer of making statements to Scott Doll during an interrogation that added further stress to her mother's life.

She accuses the investigator of telling Doll the night of the murder, but before the body of Benaqust was found, "I know you killed your mother and stole her van."

Dawn Doll then adds at the conclusion of the letter, according to a copy of the alleged letter in the court file, "It is you (underlined three times) who is killing my mother. May you rot in hell."

Doll was arrested by State Police at 5:22 p.m., Saturday, and charged with  aggravated harassment, 2nd, a communication that caused alarm. The Class A misdemeanor carries a maximum penalty of 1 year in jail, 3 years probation and a $1,000 fine.

The officer said in a court statement that the tone and nature of the letter did alarm him.

"The content of the letter was disturbing to me," he wrote. "The fact that a Father's Day card was sent along with the letter and receiving the envelop on Father's Day was very threatening to me and my family members."

According to a statement included by a State trooper, Dawn Doll reportedly said she wrote the letter, "because of a statement he made to my brother, Scott Doll, the night my brother was picked up. I felt that I needed to throw it back at him cause I'm watching my mom deteriorate before my eyes."

She reportedly adds, "I wanted him to know that he's the one killing my mother, not my brother, as he accused him of the night my brother was picked up."

The investigator then reportedly asks Dawn Doll, "Now that you are discussing it in person, do you feel that you have done something wrong?"

"Yes, now that we have discussed this, I feel that I'm in the wrong," Doll reportedly replied. "I should never have done it. If I could take it back, I would."

Later she reportedly says, "I did not know how serious it was. I'm not a violent person and if I could go back, I would not have gone about it this way."

Dawn Doll is scheduled to return to City Court at 1 p.m. tomorrow to answer the harassment charge.

Corona adultery case continued to another day

By Howard B. Owens

Suzanne M. Corona, facing a rare charge of adultery, will not appear in City Court today as scheduled because her case must be heard by a different judge.

Corona has retained local attorney Brian Degnan to handle her case. Degnan is the son-in-law of Judge Robert Balbick, who was scheduled to hear cases for the 1 p.m. calendar today.

The case is being moved to June 30, when Judge Michael DelPlato is on the bench.

Degnan notified City Court of his position in the case by letter.

The 41-year-old Corona is accused, along with Justin Amend, 29, of Oakfield, of engaging in sex on a picnic table in Farrall Park when the park was filled with parents and children.

Both were charged with public lewdness, only Corona faces the additional misdemeanor charge of adultery.

Corona has denied there was actual sex going on, though has admitted to inappropriate behavior.

Her case has been picked up by media across the United States and Britain.

Corona has yet to enter a plea in court.

Brad Paisley concert results in eight arrests, 32 citations

By Howard B. Owens

The following are arrests from Friday's Brad Paisley Concert at Darien Lake:

James P. Balcom, 34, of Schutt Court, Grand Island, is charged with disorderly conduct. Balcom is accused of fighting with security. He was jailed on $250 bail.

Matthew G. Costanzo, 27, of Fletcher Street, Tonawanda, is charged with disorderly conduct. Costanzo is accused of fighting with security. He was jailed on $150 bail.

Samuel M. Muscarella, 23, of Exchange Street, Alden, is charged with assault, 3rd. Muscarella is accused of punching another person in the face, causing a cut above his eye requiring stitches. Muscarella was jailed on $250 bail.

Dayna L. Maimone, 22, of Viking Circle, Webster, is charged with trespass. Maimone allegedly re-entered the concert venue after being ejected.

Kevin G. Manners, 39, of Crandal Ave., Kendal, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Manners allegedly hit a security guard will being ejected from the concert venue.

(Name Redacted), 20, of Patricia Lane, Cheektowaga, allegedly hit another person in the throat (charge not listed in release).

Casie Jo Clearwater, 20, of Patricia lane, Cheektowaga, charged with two counts of harassment, 2nd. Clearwater is accused of hitting two people while inside the concert venue.

Stephen P. Wagner, 19, of East River Road, Rush, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Plus 32 people were issued citations for allegedly consuming alcohol under age 21. Names listed after the jump:

Jonathan D. Gaillard, 19, of Clover St. Pittsford
A 17-year-old of Lake Rd. Seneca Falls
A 16-year-old of Auburn Rd. Seneca Falls
A 17-year-old of Benning Rd. West Falls
Jessica L. Miklos, 20, of Boland Dr. Lackawana
Ryan L. Hall, 19, of Foss Rd. Fenwick, Ontario
Stephen P. Wagner, 19, of E. River Rd. Rush
Austin P. White, 18, of Meadow Rd. Hemlock
Brandon J. Nieswiadomy, 20, of Delmar Ave. Tonawanda
Thomas W. Wilkins, 20, of Delmar Ave Tonawanda
Taylor L. Meckley, 18, of Warrick Terr. Hamburg
Shawn M. Corts, 20, of Lincoln Rd. Macedon
Tyler B. Wild, 19, of Willowend Dr. Penfield
David F. Reagan, 19, of Parkview Dr. Rochester
Bryan J. Gorlewski-Munro, 18, of Eagles Roost Ln. Macedon
Michael D. Pulito, 19, of Dogwood Glen Rochester
James H. Sergeant, 18, of Canterbury Ln. Fairport
Timothy J. Haack, 18, of Dublin Rd. Penfield
A 17-year-old of Melbourne Green Fairport
A 17-year-old of Butz Rd. Albion
Jared F. Reynolds, 20, of Woodward Ave. Springville
Tyler J. Aina, 18, of Waterport-Carlton Rd. Albion
Steven E. Beiersdorf, 20, of Mill Rd. Lyndonville
Alyssa A. Olles, 20, of Long Bridge Rd. Albion
Stosh E. Kajfasz, 18, of Cudaback Ave. Niagara Falls
A 17-year-old of Independence Ln. Niagara Falls
Alexandria L. Walter, 19, of 9mileline Pt Penfield
Kristine A. Allen, 19, of Braunston Dr. Fairport
Jerri E. Maloney, 18, of Lillis Ln. West Seneca
Patrick M. Nascal, 18, of Mineral Springs Rd West Seneca
Laura A. Tripi, 18, of Langer Rd. West Seneca
Alexander K. Roberts, 19, of Herrick Ave Sayre, Pa.
Samantha R. Peters, 20, of River Ferry Way Rochester
A 17-year-old of of S. Shore Pl Rochester
Wesley M. Rene, 20, of Hill Creek Ln. Rochester
Gary J. Haseley Jr., 20, of Lake Rd. Webster
Patrick T. Grogan, 18, of Brookview Rd. Rochester
Ryan J. Fitzsimmons, 18, of Belmont St. Rochester

Police Beat: Alleged theft of wallet in check out at Walmart leads to grand larceny charge

By Howard B. Owens

Lucinda Dawn Barber, 40, of 141 Tracy Ave., Batavia, is charged with grand larceny, 4th. Barber is accused of stealing another person's wallet while in a check-out line at Walmart. Barber was jailed on $10,000 bail.

Robert J. Eppolito, 27, of 41 Maple St., Batavia, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and harrassment, 2nd. Eppolito allegedly pushed a person while that person was holding an infant. He was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Gregory Robert Lyons, 21, of Dry Bridge Road, Alexander, is charged with trespass. Lyons was allegedly operating an all-terrain vehicle on the old railroad bridge over Creek Road.

Kevin J. Compton, 48, of 9791 Clipnock Road, East Bethany, is charged with DWI. Compton was stopped at 2:10 a.m., Sunday, on Lake Street for alleged failure to use a turn signal.

Adam M. Kreutz, 21, of Byron-Holley Road, Byron, is charged with a felony count of DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and felony unlicensed operation. Kreutz was stopped at 2:04 a.m., Saturday, by Sgt. Greg Walker on Route 237, Stafford.

Stacey Jean Donahue, 36, of Cook Road, Byron, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Donahue is accused of striking another person in the face.

Michael S. Miller, 24, of East Eden Road, Eden, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to keep right and moving from lane unsafely. Miller was stopped at 1:05 a.m., Saturday, by Deputy Chris Parker on Route 5, Pembroke.

Thomas M. Cromey, Jr., 33, of Chili-Riga Center Road, Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and failure to keep right. Cromey was stopped at 12:07 a.m., Saturday, by Deputy Chris Parker, on Route 237, Stafford.

Ashleigh Lynn Daniels, 22, of Kent Road, Kent, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Daniels was stopped at 12:36 a.m., Saturday, by Deputy James Diehl on Route 33, Pembroke.

Man allegedly bilks 5K from elderly Batavia resident for bogus roof job

By Billie Owens

Theodore R. Cooper, 27, of  59 Spencer Ave., Oswego, was arrested at his home on a warrant issued by Batavia City Court following an investigation by Batavia City Police into a fraud complaint.

It is alleged that on Dec. 30, 2009 and on Feb. 3, 2010 Cooper went to the home of an elderly Batavia resident and claimed he was a roofing contractor and claimed she had a problem with her roof.

On both occasions Cooper was alleged to have been at the residence for about 15 minutes and charged the woman a total of $5,500. Inspection of the roof reveals that no repairs were done by Cooper. The roof had been put on new in 2008 by a local established roofing company and appeared in good condition.

Cooper was charged with one count of grand larceny, 3rd. He was arraigned by Judge Robert Balbick and remanded to the Genesee County Jail. No bail was set. He will appear in City Court again on Monday. The investigation was conducted by Detective Charles Dudek.

Police Beat: Three alleged DWIs

By Howard B. Owens

Melissa Christine Schnitzer, 22, of Daunton Drive, Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 and failure to reduce speed. Schnitzer was stopped at 1:21 a.m., Friday, by Sgt. Brian Frieday in the area of 6734 Randall Road, Stafford.

Denise M. Groff, 33, of Highland Parkway, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and failure to keep right. Groff was stopped at 1:38 a.m., Friday, on Route 33, Stafford, by Sgt. Greg Walker.

Jeremy M. Denton, 24, of 481 Ladue Road, Brockport, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and failure to keep right. Denton was stopped at 1:24 a.m., Friday, by Le Roy Police Sgt. Michael Hare on West Main Street, Le Roy.

James D. Holstein, 60, of Batavia, is charged with petit larceny, grand larceny, 4th, grand larceny, 3rd. Holstein was taken into custody by State Police for an alleged incident on Jan. 12, 2009. No further details available.

Authentically Local