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Police Beat: Damages to Darien Lake trailer lead to arrest of Canadian man

By Howard B. Owens

George Michael Thompson, 32, of 310 Wilson Drive, Milton, Ontario, Canada, is charged with criminal mischief and endangering the welfare of a child. Thompson allegedly got in a argument with a woman at Darien Lake Theme Park and proceeded to cause at least $250 damage to a camping trailer owned by the facility.  A 12-year-old child was present during the incident.

A 17-year-old from Albion is charged with petit larceny for allegedly stealing $53 worth of merchandise from K-Mart.

Wendy M. Cilnyk, 25, of 9 Liberty Ave., Lancaster, is charged with DWI, refusal to take breath test and moving from lane unsafely. Cilnyk was stopped by officer Chris Camp on Pearl Street after police received several calls about an erratic driver.

Jane Amanda Richardson, 24, of 788 Route 33, Corfu, is charged with falsifying business records and petit larceny. Richardson allegedly falsified business records at the Elba Yellow Goose store. The case was investigated by Deputy Brian Thompson.

Police Beat: Woman reportedly provides false ID after stop for alleged DWI

By Howard B. Owens

Stacy R. Bechtold, 31, of 1429 East Drive, Alden, is charged with DWI and criminal impersonation, along with several other charges after being stopped by Sheriff's deputies at 10:29 p.m. Saturday. Bechtold was reportedly seen driving erratically from Alabama to Maltby Road in Oakfield. When stopped, Bechtold allegedly provided deputies with a fake identity and false birth date. It turns out, she reportedly was driving on a suspended license and an outstanding arrest warrant from Monroe County.  Additional charges: Driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, reckless driving, aggravated unlicensed operation, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle, failure to notify DMV of an address change, uninsured vehicle and failure to keep right. Deputies Chris Parker and Brad Mazur investigated the incident. Bechtold was released to the Monroe County Sheriff's Department on the outstanding warrant.

Christopher A. Saddler, 25, of 3 Lydun Drive, Albion, is charged with criminal mischief. Saddler allegedly punched a candy machine inside Tenney Laundry.

Gregory Seppe, 51, of 19 Manhatten Ave., Batavia, is charged with trespass. Seppe allegedly entered the Salvation Army after previously being told he was not allowed on the premises. He was jailed on $500 bail.

Vincent J. T. Dell, 21, of 17 Thorpe St., Batavia, and Nateeka M. Gibson, 20, of 13 Thorpe St., Batavia, are both charged with disorderly conduct for allegedly fighting at 3:07 Saturday morning. Jerell J.T. Jones, 20, of 17 Thorpe St., Batavia, was charged with littering during the same incident. Officers Dan Coffey and Frank Klimjack handled the call.

Vincent Michael Esten, 27, of 10998 Transit Road, Pavilion, is charged with filing a false report with the Sheriff's Office. Esten allegedly reported that another individual had opened a cable television account using his name. After further investigation, the report allegedly turned out to be false. Deputy Joseph Graff investigated the report.

Jody L. Beaumont, 39, of 8557 East Main Road, Le Roy, is charged with DWI and leaving the scene of a property damage accident.  Beaumont reportedly hit some trees on York Road and then allegedly left the scene. He was later located at his residence. He is also charged with a BAC of .08 or greater and moving from a lane unsafely. The accident reportedly occurred at 5:40 a.m., Sunday. Deputies John Weis and Frank Bordanaro investigated the incident.

Patrick S. Waldron, 21, of 1590 Edgewood Road, Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and moving from a lane unsafely. Waldron was reportedly stopped Sunday at 1:15 a.m. at Route 237 and Walkers Corner Road.

Nicholas R. Harig, 19, of 170 Trowbridge Street, Buffalo, is charged with DWI following a traffic stop in Corfu by Officer Edward Caton for allegedly tailgating. Harig was also cited for having an inadequate muffler on his vehicle.

Dustin D. Say, 18, of 1952 Perry Road, North Java, and a 17-year-old companion from Alexander are charged with a felony count of burglary. Say and his companion allegedly entered an unlocked garage in Alexander and stole alcoholic beverages.

Sarah J. Patrick, 19, of Lockport, is charged with DWI. Patrick was stopped by State Police on Route 77 in Pembroke at 9:28 p.m. on Friday.

Chad A. Plante, 25, of Rochester, is charged with DWI, unlicensed operation and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Plante was stopped by State Police on Route 77 in Darien at 9:45 p.m. on Friday.

Benjamin P. Greene, 21, of Basom, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and failure to stay in designated lane. Greene was stopped by State Police on Galloway Road in Batavia at 2:31 a.m. on Sunday.

Daniel N. Brown, 36, of Le Roy, is charged with two counts of possession of a forged instrument. Brown was arrested by State Police on West Saile Drive in Batavia. The initial report was taken on June 7.  Brown was released on his own recognizance.

Blink 182 show at Darien Lake leads to 16 arrests

By Howard B. Owens

Sixteen people were arrested Friday night at the Blink 182 concert at Darien Lake Theme Park.

Charles J. Cook, 18, of 5 Cherry Lane, Orchard Park, charged with trespassing for allegedly jumping a fence to enter the concert venue.

Brett A. Causyn, 18, of 6596 Warboys Road, Byron, charged with trespassing for allegedly jumping a fence to enter the concert venue.

James W. Causyn, 19, of 6596 Warboys Road, Byron, charged with trespassing for allegedly jumping a fence to enter the concert venue.

A 17-year-old from Byron charged with trespassing for allegedly jumping a fence to enter the concert venue.

A 17-year-old charged with harassment for allegedly striking a security guard on the head.

Joel P. Proulx, 20, of 2730 Upper Mountain Road, Sanborn, charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

A 17-year-old was charged with unlawful dealing with a minor and unlawful possession of marijuana after allegedly providing marijuana to a 14-year-old.

Thomas Gardner, 20, of 52 Woodshire North Road, Getzville, charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

Daniel Myers, 21, of 88 Candlewood Lane, Williamsville, charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

John J. Coppa, 18, of 9 Haverhill Road, Churchville, for unlawful possession of marijuana.

Nicolas Lacolla, 20, of 112 Heather Lane, Scottsville, charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

Seth M. Evans, 19, of 2 Durham Circle, Fairport, charged with possession of alcohol by a person under age 21.

A 17-year-old from Fairport charged with possession of alcohol by a person under 21.

Justin M. Hamm, 21, of 90 S. S. Ellington Ave., Depew, charged with trespass for allegedly re-entering the concert venue after being kicked out. He was jailed on $200 bail.

Erin L. Falzarano, 31, of 1033 Keyes Ave., Schenectady, charged with petit larceny for allegedly stealing items from the concert venue. Falzarano was jailed on $250 bail.

John T. Plakas, 19, of 2045 Arcona Court, Niskayuana, charged with petit larceny for allegedly stealing items from the concert venue. Falzarano was jailed on $250 bail.

Suspect arrested in car break-ins on Cedar Street

By Howard B. Owens

Overnight, a witness observed somebody entering parked cars along Cedar Street and called police.

Police officers E.E. Bolles and Frank Klimjack located the suspect on East Avenue and allegedly found him with the fruits of his crime -- items taken from a parked vehicle, including a bottle of prescription medicine.

Charged with petit larceny and possession of a controlled substance was Benjamin Evans, 20, of 11 S. Main St., Batavia.

Evans was arraigned before City Court Judge Michael Del Plato and bound over on $3,000 bail.

Police Beat: State Police make two arrests

By Howard B. Owens

Mark S. Hoadley, 46, of Geneseo, is charged with DWAI. Hoadley was stopped in Pavilion by State Police for allegedly failing to stay in his lane of travel. Hoadley was reportedly found with a BAC of .07 percent. He was issued a ticket for driving with ability impaired by alcohol and failure to stay in designated lane.

Samoni T. Hazle, 23, of Le Roy, is charged with DWI. Hazle was stopped on Route 33 in Bergen for allegedly straying from his lane of travel. State Police report Hazle registered a BAC of .09 percent. Hazle was also accused of having an open container.

Suspect in car break-ins allegedly caught with stolen bike

By Howard B. Owens

Yesterday, a woman who's bike was apparently stolen overnight saw a man riding her bike on East Avenue and called Batavia police.

When police responded, they reportedly found Nicholas McKague, 18, of 1 Colorado Ave., riding the bike.

According to a Batavia Police Department press release, McKague admitted to stealing the bike from 4 Elm St.. Upon further questioning, he also allegedly admitted to breaking into several unlocked cars and taking items in the area of Union, Oak and Allen streets Monday night/Tuesday morning.

The property taken has not been recovered.

Tuesday morning, several people reported their cars on Redfield, Kingsbury and North Lyon streets were broken into overnight. Bikes were also reported stolen on North Lyons Street.

The investigation is continuing and other suspects have been implicated.

The Batavia Police are asking residents to continue to be vigilant in locking cars and securing bikes and other property in garages or on porches.

Police Beat: DWI arrest in Byron

By Howard B. Owens

Neil R. Ramsey, 43, of 342 South Ave., Medina, is charged with felony DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Ramsey was stopped yesterday at 4:57 p.m. by Deputy Bradley D. Mazur on Route 237 in Byron following a citizen complaint of a possibility intoxicated driver. Upon investigation, Mazur arrested Ramsey for allegedly driving drunk. Ramsey was also issued a ticket for an uninspected vehicle. Following his arrest, Ramsey was turned over to the Monroe County Sheriff on an outstanding arrest warrant.

Batavia man allegedly brandished BB gun, leading police on late night foot pursuit

By Howard B. Owens

A man with an unloaded BB gun sent Batavia police on a late night search for a subject with "a handgun" in the area of Chestnut and Kibbe streets last night.

Jason P. Wickson, 27, of Orleans Ave., Batavia, was arrested after a brief foot pursuit through the Kibbe Park neighborhood on the south side of the city.

It was only after Wickson was arrested that officers discovered the gun he allegedly brandished shortly after midnight was an unloaded BB gun.

Wickson was charged with menacing and obstructing governmental administration.

Police say Wickson displayed the gun "in an attempt to place another in fear."

The pursuit began when police officers arrived at 7 Chestnut and reportedly ordered Wickson to "show his hands."  Wickson allegedly turned and ran.

Wickson ran from yard-to-yard in the area of Kibbe and South Jackson, eventually being taken into custody in a residential backyard without further incident.

Wickson was arraigned this morning and sent to jail on $5,000 bail.

Officers responding to the scene were E.E. Bolles, Dan Coffey and Lt. G.Q. Steele.

Previously: White male reportedly carrying handgun taken into custody near Kibbe and South Jackson

Overnight car break-ins continue, but this time with a twist

By Howard B. Owens

More than a half dozen cars were ransacked over night, according to reports this morning, but very little was taken.

Many callers to the dispatch center this morning say somebody went through their cars, rifling through glove compartments and looking through other areas of the car, but the callers haven't found anything stolen.

The person or persons going through the cars have left behind spare change, radar detectors and other valuables. One man reported his wallet with $50 cash in it was left behind.

Two bicycles left in a car were reportedly stolen.

UPDATE: At our request, Det. Rich Schuaf provided a description of the bikes and he added a reminder about securing your property.

Taken from 11 N. Lyon St. during the night.
1. Schwinn, Gold/White, Girls, 26", 18 spd. Mt. Bike.
2. Schwinn, Maroon, Boys, 26", 18 spd, Mt. Bike.

Reminder: Secure bikes with locks or in garage. Also remember to lock car doors. None of the latest reported incidents of theft have come from locked cars or secured garages.

Police Beat: Teens arrested for allegedly getting on roof of Batavia High School

By Howard B. Owens

Shane M. Ramos, 18, of 16 Hutchins Place, Batavia, and Joshua M. Barber, 18, of 7380 Griswold Road, Bergen, are both charged with criminal trespass. Ramos and Barber allegedly got onto the roof of Batavia High School on Aug. 11. They were arrested yesterday. Ramos faces an additional charge of petit larceny for allegedly taking computer accessories. The case was investigated by Officer Wayne Fenton.

Michael P. Murphy, 24, of 39 Columbia Ave., Batavia, is charged with DWI, DWI with a BAC of .08 or greater and endangering the welfare of a child. Murphy's car was reportedly stopped following the complaint of another driver about an erratic vehicle. Murphy allegedly had a child with him in the car at the time.

Luke W. Ritzenthaler, 26, of Byron (no address given), is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Ritzenthaler was reportedly ticketed by State Police at 7:55 a.m. yesterday.

White male reportedly carrying handgun taken into custody near Kibbe and South Jackson

By Howard B. Owens

Batavia Police have just apprehended a subject who was reportedly seen with a handgun in the area of 7 Chestnut St.

The suspect, described as a white male with short hair, wearing a black hoodie with the hood down, and barefooted, was taken into custody in the area of Kibbe and South Jackson streets.

Officers were apparently on foot as they searched for the suspect, who was seen heading down Kibbe, lost for a minute, and then seen heading east across Kibbe. A few minutes later, a Batavia police officer informed dispatchers that he had the suspect in custody.

There are no reports of shots fired at this time.

UPDATE 8:52 a.m.: The man was reportedly carrying an unloaded BB gun.


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Batavia police announce results of Phish-related check points

By Howard B. Owens

Batavia police officers issued 15 tickets at two checkpoints set up Thursday night in conjunction with the Phish concert at Darien Lake.

The checkpoints were on Pearl Street and Clinton Street.

Three arrests were made. Two were reported this morning.

A third arrest was of Sara Hill, of North Canton, Ohio, who was allegedly driving an unregistered vehicle with improper license plates. She also allegedly had no insurance. According to police, Hill has a DWI conviction in Ohio and is required to drive a vehicle with special license plates. Hill, who reportedly said she was heading to the Phish concert, reportedly told police she didn't want to drive her vehicle with the restricted license plates to the concert, so she took plates form her garage and put them on her car. The plates had reportedly been stolen previously. A possible charge of possession of stolen property is pending.

Man arrested on warrant in Batavia in May still not extradited, may go free

By Howard B. Owens

A man wanted in Pontiac, Ill. on a home repair fraud charge, who was arrested in Batavia on May 19, may go free because, apparently, the governor's office in Illinois has failed to file an extradition request.

At least, no request has reached the Genesee County District Attorney's Office, according to Will Zickl, an assistant D.A.

It's also possible, the request never made it out Gov. David Patterson's office.

Normally, it would be up to the Illinois governor's office to contact the New York governor's office with such a request.

William John Riley, who was reportedly living in the Rochester area at the time of his arrest, was stopped May 19 for allegedly having excessively tinted windows on the vehicle he was driving.

Under state law, a person cannot be held more than 90 days without a proper extradition request. The clock would have started ticking at the time of his arraignment, a few days within the time of his arrest.

Riley is out on bail. He was reportedly scheduled to appear in court today along with his attorney, Mike Ranzenhofer, at 1:30 p.m. Neither Riley nor Ranzenhofer were apparently in court at that time.

Sometime around 2:30 p.m., Ranzenhofer did meet with Judge Robert Noonan and Zickl in the judge's chambers.

Zickle said Ranzenhofer made a motion to dismiss the case, and Noonan requested that the motion be filed in writing.

It's unclear if Riley was in the courthouse today or where he is living. Ranzenhofer said during a phone interview later that he couldn't discuss the specifics of the case without his client's permission.

According to Zickl, a wrinkle in the case is that Riley isn't being held in jail, but is out on bail, which may change the 90-day limitation.

Ranzenhofer contends, in general, without discussing his client's case, that being held is being held, whether in jail or out on bail.

There's no word on when Noonan might issue an opinion on the motion.

Former Batavia firefighter, train museum owner, accused of sexual assault in Medina

By Howard B. Owens

A former Batavia firefighter who operates a train museum in Medina is accused of sexually assaulting a 27-year-old woman Friday at the museum and may have installed a videotaping system in the building.

Martin Phelps, 67, is accused assaulting the woman at 4:30 p.m.. Medina police have also removed an "extensive" videotaping system from the building.

Phelps bought the museum in 1991 and opened it in 1997 after spending six years remodeling the location.

He was remanded to Orleans County Jail on $5,000 bail.

(Source, the Batavia Daily News)

Motorcyclists on memorial ride confronted by motorist with shotgun

By Howard B. Owens

A motorcycle group out on a fundraising ride through Alabama on Sunday was confronted by a shotgun-wielding motorist when he apparently didn't like an intersection being closed by members of the group while the caravan passed.

William E. Buncy, 64, of Depew, was arrested by State Police and charged with a misdemeanor count of menacing.

The shotgun, which was reportedly unloaded at the time, along with three other unloaded firearms, were taken from Buncy at the time of his arrest. Buncy was returning from an event at a local gun club at the time of the incident.

The motorcycle group had 150 riders, and a few members of the group blocked the intersection at Lewiston Road and Route 63 to make it easier and safer for the entire group to pass through the intersection.

Titled the Jonathon Cote Memorial Motorcycle Run, it featured 150 riders and began in Amherst and was headed to Wilson Boat House in Wilson.

Buncy will be arraigned on the charge on Aug. 25 in the Town of Alabama Court.

Two men arrested in Pembroke with items apparently taken from parked cars

By Howard B. Owens

Two men from Medina were taken into custody at 1:46 a.m. Monday on McAlpine Road in Pembroke after being found in possession of a number of reportedly stolen items.

All of the items appear to have been taken from parked cars.

Raymond J. Molina, 23, of 332 W. Oak Orchard St., Medina, and Shawn R. Wisniewski, 20, of 400 Erie St., Medina, are charged with criminal possession of stolen property.

They were jailed on $10,000 bail each.

Both Molina and Wisniewski were allegedly found with stolen GPS units, stolen purses and assorted stolen currency.

The case was investigated by Deputy Jason Saile, with assistance from Deputy John Weis and Sgt. Brian Frieday.

UPDATE: Chief Jerome Brewster clarifies that the items allegedly stolen were taken that night in the Pembroke area.

Police report burglary on Lehigh Avenue

By Howard B. Owens

The Six Star Body Shop at 101 Lehigh Ave. Batavia, was apparently hit by a burglar on Thursday night or early Friday morning.

Batavia Police Officer Andrews is investigating the incident, in which a person or persons kicked in a door and ransacked the office.

The owner of the business is taking an inventory to determine what items are missing.

Police Beat: Local man Tasered after allegedly trying to run from police officer

By Howard B. Owens

Chad M. Johnson, 23, of 15 Fairway Drive, Batavia, is charged with obstructing governmental administration. Batavia Police Officer Frank Klimjack reports that he encountered Johnson as a suspicious subject on South Main Street and when Klimjack requested to pat him down for weapons, Johnson allegedly refused. At that point, Johnson allegedly tried running away. After being ordered to stop, Klimjack used his Taser, at which point, Johnson stopped running. Upon further investigation, Batavia Police learned Johnson is reportedly on parole and was allegedly in violation of his terms of release from a state correctional facility. State parole officers were notified and further action is pending.

William Lyons, 36, of unknown address, Medina, is charged with harassment. Lyons was allegedly involved in a fight with another family member at 149 Ross St.. He was jailed on $1,500 bail.

Shane D. Vandenberg, 29, of 20 S. Main St., Batavia, is charged with harassment, menacing and endangering the welfare of a child. Vandenberg allegedly choked a female in front of the couple's child.

A 16-year-old boy is charged with criminal contempt. The boy was arrested at a roadside check point on Clinton Street Thursday night after allegedly being found in the company of a person whom he's been ordered not to contact.

Steven R. Goodrich, 27, of 649 E. Maine Road, Johnson City, is charged with DWI following a stop at a roadside checkpoint Friday night on Pearl Street. He is also accused of driving an uninspected vehicle.

UPDATE: The item below came in later this morning.

Andrew R. Miles, 20, and Benjamin M. Rogalia, 19, residences not given, were arrested at Darien Lake Theme Park on Monday at 3:07 a.m. for allegedly stealing a golf cart and running it into a locked gate. Both the gate and the cart were damaged. Both were jailed on $1,000 bail.

UPDATE II: More items that came in later in the day.

Darren W. Spencer, 26, of Springville, is charged with assault in the third degree after he allegedly punched the driver of another vehicle during a road-rage confrontation.  Spencer and the other driver confronted each other after an incident took place between the two of them on the roadway. The victim suffered a dislocated jaw in the incident.

Lawrence R. Laude, 22, of Corfu, is charged with robbery, criminal mischief and harassment in connection with a domestic incident last night. Laude was jailed in lieu of bail.

Valerie R. Mullen, 20, of Batavia, is charged with DWI following a property damage accident Thursday at 4:25 a.m. at 6835 Knowlesville Road in Alabama. Mullen was also charged with driving with a BAC of .08 percent or greater.

UPDATE III: And just missed this one this morning:

Charles P. Yaeger, 69, of 17 Madison Ave., Akron, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08, endangering the welfare of the child and violations of moving from a lane unsafely, failing to keep right and having an unsafe tire. Yesterday at 4:25 p.m., the Sheriff's Office received a complaint that a car had struck two parked cars at 1288 Little Falls Road, Pembroke, and then fled the scene. Yeager's car, which suffered a broken axle and flattened tire, reportedly left skid marks over eight miles of roadways, which Sheriff's deputies Patrick J. Reeves and Timothy Wescott said they followed from the scene of the accident to Yaeger's Akron home. Upon investigation, Reeves and Wescott found that Yaeger reportedly had a 17-year-old passenger in his car.

Two arrests reported at Brad Paisley concert at Darien Lake

By Howard B. Owens

The following arrests were made during the Brad Paisley concert at Darien Lake Theme Park on Friday night:

Timothy Meade, 20, of 7326 Lakeshore Road, Derby, is charged with trespassing for allegedly re-entering the concert after being ejected.

Garrett Lang, 23, of 7195 Fish Hatchery Road, Bath, is charged with trespass after allegedly climbing a fence and going for a swim in the Grizzly Run Ride.

Police checkpoints in Genesee County lead to 14 arrests

By Howard B. Owens

Checkpoints were set up in Genesee County yesterday by the Batavia Police Department and the New York State Police, leading to the arrests of 14 people.

The checkpoints were at Clinton Street, as well as in the Town of Darien and on Colby Road in Pembroke.

Sally C. Dixon, 39, of 5801 Byron-Holley Road, Byron, is charged with DWI. Dixon was stopped on Clinton Street by Batavia police.

The following arrests were made by State Police:

Robert Davis, 24, of N. Tonawanda, NY,  charged with DWI, allegedly driving with a BAC of .10 percent.

John Blackmore, 36, of Ewing, N.J., charged with three counts of criminal possession controlled substance and unlawful possession of marijuana.

Michael Hirsch, 26, of Tonawanda, charged with DWI for allegedly driving with a BAC of .14 percent.

Richard Gentilozzi, 25, of Fairfield, Conn., charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

Ryan Rich, 23, of Norwalk, Conn., charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

Lawrence Taylor, 36, of Depew, charged with DWI for allegedly driving with a BAC of .08 percent.

Bret Cimerman, 27, of Buffalo, charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

Hunter Ciliberti, 20, of Redwood, charged with DWI for allegedly driving with a BAC .13 percent.

Adam Drexler, 30, of Rochester, charged with DWI for allegedly driving with a BAC of .10 percent.

Thomas Lalomia, 26, of Getzville, charged with DWI for allegedly driving with a BAC of .16 percent.

Gregory Martin, 31, of Niagara Falls, charged with DWI for allegedly driving with a BAC of .09 percent.

Michael Sargent, 29, of Rochester, charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs.

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