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Alleged credit card larcenist also accused of violating probation

By Howard B. Owens

Kyle Christopher Monroe is facing a charge of grand larceny, 4th, but today he was in Genesee County Court on another matter -- alleged violation of probation.

Monroe, who was accused most recently of taking credit cards from parked cars on Gateway Drive and using them to buy merchandise at stores on Veteran's Memorial Drive, is accused of missing probation appointments and not providing probation with a correct home address.

Of course, the grand larceny charge is also an alleged violation of probation.

Monroe was convicted of possession of stolen property in an unrelated incident and was placed on probation.

In October, 2009, Monroe was found driving an allegedly stolen Caravan. The next month, County Manager Jay Gsell reportedly saw Monroe trying to evade capture after allegedly trying to steal a car.

Apparently Monroe had a pretty recognizable face once a picture of him leaving a local retailer, where he allegedly used stolen credit cards to make a purchase, was posted by The Batavian and WBTA1490.com. Batavia Police reportedly received a number of phone calls identifying Monroe as a suspect.

On the probation charge, bail was set at $10,000. Bail on the grand larceny charge, which is being heard in Batavia City Court, was previously set at $5,000.

Case delayed for man charged with public lewdness

By Howard B. Owens

Justin Amend, that man allegedly caught with his pants down in Farrall park, appeared in Batavia City Court today only to be told to reappear on Aug. 9.

There is no plea offer in the case yet.

Amend, an Oakfield resident, is charged with public lewdness, a Class B misdemeanor, for allegedly engaging in sexual intercourse with Suzanne Corona. Corona still faces adultery and public lewdness charges.

Assistant District Attorney Robert Zickl requested an evaluation of Amend by a counselor before he would make a plea offer.

Zickl has not had a chance to review the evaluation report yet, and he was unavailable for a court appearance today.

Man with 26-year-old ticket finally appears in City Court

By Howard B. Owens

Peter Nasca will finally pay his debt to society.

For 26 years, the Florida resident has been tagged by Batavia City Court as a "scofflaw."

Since 1984, his New York license has been suspended and he's had an unpaid traffic ticket.

That hasn't stopped him from making his living as a truck driver, and even hauling loads through his former home state, but then he didn't know -- he says -- that he was a wanted man.

"All these years, nobody ever caught it," Nasca said after appearing in court. "Even when I do my FBI background check every year, they never caught it."

Apparently, law enforcement in Missouri is a little more on the ball. During a routine inspection of his rig, an officer said, "Oh, by the way, you can't drive in New York."

"What?" was Nasca's jaw-dropping response.

His Florida driver's license allowed him to drive in any state in the union, but New York wanted him to pay his fine, which is $180 for allegedly driving on a revoked driver's license in 1984.

Nasca, a native of Buffalo, was a Tonawanda resident at the time.

(Nasca is spelled like NASCAR, he said, "but without the money.")

Nasca did appear in City Court in 1984 and entered a not guilty plea. He eventually forgot about the charge and figured there was a statue of limitations on it. But there wasn't.

In 1984, Judge Robert Balbick was the prosecuting attorney in City Court, though he doesn't remember if he appeared on the Nasca case. Even so, he had to recuse himself, so Nasca's case was adjourned to Aug. 3, when Judge Michael Delplato can hear the matter.

As for his suspended license, he cleared that up today by filling out some paperwork. He didn't have to pay a fee because in 1984 there was no fee for a "Scoff."

City Court Clerk Linda Giambrone said there are scoff cases on file at City Court going back to the 1970s. They will never be purged and the scofflaws could still be hauled into court.

Biker reportedly injured at Area 51

By Howard B. Owens

A reader provided this mobile phone photo of Mercy Flight at Area 51. A motocross rider reportedly suffered a back injury in an accident this evening.

More information if it becomes available.

Grass fire in South Byron is a controlled burn

By Billie Owens

A grass fire, now deemed to be a controlled burn at the end of Coward Road, is reported -- nonemergency response requested from Byron, South Byron and Le Roy fire departments.

The area is south of the railroad tracks, east of the roadway, at 7404 Ivison Road.

The verified controlled burn means all units are back in service, standing down from this initial call.

Chris Lee calls for investigation into Lockerbie bomber's release

By Billie Owens

Here's a press release we received from Congressman Chris Lee's office:

Representing the families and friends of victims in the attack on Pan Am Flight 103, Congressman Chris Lee and two other freshmen NY lawmakers are demanding an investigation into new allegations surrounding the release of the infamous Lockerbie bomber.

Lee and Reps. Michael E. McMahon (D-Staten Island/Brooklyn) and Daniel B. Maffei (D-Syracuse) circulated a bipartisan "Dear Colleague" letter urging fellow members to sign onto their demand that the British Government immediately investigate the circumstances surrounding the release of Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi.

The congressmen represent districts which suffered numerous losses when the aircraft exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland on Dec. 21, 1988.

Recent reports have linked British Petroleum’s (BP) interest in securing a $900 million oil-and-gas exploration deal off Libya’s coast with al-Megrahi’s inclusion in a prisoner transfer agreement with Libya.

These allegations are incredibly concerning and are further complicated by reports that al-Megrahi remains in notably good health a year after being released on compassionate grounds for his terminal illness.

“Like most Americans, I was outraged by the release of the Lockerbie bomber, but the allegations that have recently surfaced really add insult to injury for the families of the victims,” McMahon said.

“If it turns out that an ally of the U.S. could have released this terrorist to further its own business opportunities, that country will not only have disgraced itself, it will have utterly disrespected the victims and their families for the most vile reasons. We deserve answers and the British Government needs to provide them immediately.”

Maffei said: “Central New York lost dozens of our own in the bombing of Pan AM Flight 103, so our community felt a particularly acute pain when Scotland released Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi last year. We are concerned that the U.K. may have released al-Megrahi because of lobbying from a private company.

"If that is the case, it is worse than an international embarrassment: it is an affront to justice, an insult to the victims who died in 1988, and a slight to the families who have dealt with that unimaginable pain for more than 20 years.”

Lee said: “Megrahi’s release was outrageous and an insult to the families of his victims. Western New Yorkers, and all those who lost loved ones on Pan Am Flight 103, deserve a full investigation into Megrahi’s release and the possibility that a business deal was behind it.”

Four of the 270 victims of the Lockerbie bombing came from Rep. McMahon’s district, with the two youngest age 20 and the oldest age 33. All four were traveling home for the holidays.

Forty victims of the bombing came from Rep. Maffei’s district, including 35 Syracuse University students who were returning home after having studied abroad.

Similarly, Western New Yorkers in Rep. Lee’s district who lost friends and family on Pan Am Flight 103 have reached out to him in recent days after the allegations about Megrahi’s release surfaced.

The letter being circulated by the freshmen lawmakers requests not only for an investigation into allegations surrounding al-Megrahi’s release to Libya, but also for British Government officials to address Congress on the matter.

Photos: Batavia Downs - Behind the scenes on opening day

By Howard B. Owens

Yesterday, Batavia Downs opened its 64th harness racing season. Officials were kind enough to let me hang out in the stables and take pictures.

Thirty-three more pictures after the jump:

Meet the Muckdogs: Colin Walsh

By Gretel Kauffman

This is the first in a series of videos we're posting to help you get to know your Batavia Muckdogs players better.

Latina's property manager makes court appearance

By Howard B. Owens

Scratch Tom Lewin off Batavia's "Most Wanted" list.

The man city inspectors believe is responsible for another summer of gull poop and stink around the former Latina's Foodland voluntarily appeared in Batavia City Court yesterday morning with his attorney.

An arrest warrant was issued for Lewin after he failed to appear in court last week. 

On Friday, Amherst PD reportedly went to his house looking for him, but he wasn't home.

Lewin did not enter a plea to the code violation charges against his company, LKLWL Properties, which owns the Ellicott Street building. He is schedule to appear in court again at 10 a.m. on Aug. 20.

Young rape victim searched Facebook to identify alleged attacker

By Howard B. Owens

A 14-year-old girl who was raped in a Corfu parking lot did a bit of her own sleuthing online to help investigators identify her alleged attacker.

The girl, at first too embarrassed to come forward, only knew her alleged attacker's first name. Friends had introduced him and they exchanged some text messages before agreeing to meet.

When they got together in June, 2009, in a Corfu parking lot, the man reportedly served her wine coolers. Then he allegedly forced her to have sex.

Eventually, using Facebook, according to Chief Deputy Jerome Brewster, the girl found the 20-year-old man she believed raped her.

Arrested last week and charged with rape, 1st, rape, 2nd and unlawful dealing with a child was Randy A. Reiss, of 23 Danita Drive, Akron.

Police Beat: Man accused of throwing phone at girlfriend's car

By Howard B. Owens

Wayne P. Fielding, 23, of East Bird Road, Byron, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. Fielding is accused of throwing his mobile phone at the windshield of his girlfriend's car, causing the windshield to break. Fielding was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Cassandra L. Brunea, 37, of Alexander Road, Alexander, is charged with offering a false instrument for filing. Brunea is accused of signing a statement against a suspect in another case. Some of the information in the statement was allegedly falsified.

Kimberly Melissa Volk, 21, address not released, is charged with petit larceny. Volk is accused of stealing cash on several different occasions while working food stands at Darien Lake.

Donald A. Carney, 50, of Pavilion, is charged with unlawful dealing with a child, 1st. Carney was arrested by State Police at 11:05 p.m., Saturday. No further details were released.

Albert C. Osborne, 24, of Cheektowaga, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Osborne was stopped at 11:20 p.m., Friday, by State Police, on Route 77, Darien.

Carl R. Caughill, 20, of Niagara Falls, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 and failure to keep right. Caughill was stopped by State Police at 10:30 p.m., Friday, on Route 77, Darien.

Motorcycle hits deer on West Main Street, Batavia, two injured

By Howard B. Owens

A motorcycle has hit a deer in the area of 4003 W. Main St. Road, Batavia.

Two people are reported unconscious.

Mercy EMS and Town of Batavia Fire responding. Mercy Flight is on stand by.

UPDATE 3:00 p.m.: Two Mercy Flight helicopters requested to the scene.

UPDATE 4:37 p.m.: No official word yet on the investigation. Two people were transported by Mercy Flight, and at least one of those helicopters went to Strong Memorial Hospital. An officer said it didn't look like either rider was wearing a state-approved safety helmet (though they were wearing helmets). The injured deer was put down after the accident. More information when it becomes available.

UPDATE: The driver and passenger have been identified: Driver, David L. Patrick, 63, of 21 Birchwood Acres, Perry. Passenger, Nancy L. Patrick, 58. The driver was taken to ECMC and the passenger to Strong. The accident investigation revealed that the deer entered road from the southern shoulder and ran into Nancy, causing David to lose control of the bike.

UPDATE: Both people were taken to Strong. Both are listed in guarded condition. At Strong, "guarded" means the patient is in the intensive care unit.


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Photo: Hay rolls on Clinton Street Road, Stafford

By Howard B. Owens

I spotted the possibility of this hay field with its crop cut and rolled a few days ago, but wanted to go out on a clear morning for a picture. I did that this morning. The location is on Clinton Street Road near Griswold.

Injury accident on Ford Road, Elba

By Howard B. Owens

At least one person was injured in this single-car rollover accident on Ford Road (Route 262) in Elba.

The accident occurred around 7:30 a.m.

The driver, from Buffalo, reportedly told investigators that he was checking his GPS at the time of the accident.

No further details available at this time. This post will be updated when we receive the accident report from the Sheriff's Office.

UPDATE: The driver has been identified as Steven J. Scott, 19, of Ford Road, Elba. He was taken by ground ambulance to Strong Memorial Hospital. He was cited for alleged unsafe moving from lane of travel.

Police Beat: Two more arrests stemming from alleged multi-person fight on Reservation

By Howard B. Owens

Elizabeth R. George, 19, of 587 Council House Road, Tonawanda Indian Reservation, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Mickey Aaron Jacobs, 18, of Poodry Road, Basom, is charged with menacing, 2nd. George and Jacobs were arrested as a result of an ongoing investigation into an alleged incident on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation at 4:14 a.m., July 21. Previously arrested were Cara L. Skye and Stormy Skye. George allegedly punched another person in the face a couple of times. Jacobs allegedly brandished a rifle, which reportedly caused fear in one witness, who was told to "back off" during the argument.

Timothy J. Becker, 45, of 653 Ellicott St., Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Becker is accused of pushing another person during a domestic incident. The person who was pushed fell down a flight of stairs. Becker was jailed on $1,500 bail.

Michael A. Shelter, 20, of 1050 Lewiston Road, Alabama, is charged with DWI, failure to stop at a stop sign and inadequate exhaust on vehicle. Shelter was stopped at 3:51 a.m., Saturday, on Washington Avenue by Officer Dan Coffey.

Jameson A. Crocker, 23, of 117 Walnut St., Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and unsafe lane change. Crocker was stopped at 2:36 a.m., Sunday, on West Main Street in the city by Officer Mark Lawrence.

Sean P. Flynn, 24, address not provided, is charged with DWI and moving from lane unsafely. Flynn was stopped at 11:29 p.m., Friday, on Route 33, Pembroke, by Deputy Brad Mazur.

Douglas Scott Sprague, 43, of South Pearl Street, Oakfield, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Sprague is accused of punching another person in the back of the head.

Sean N. Lindquist, 48, of Judge Road, Alabama, is charged with DWI and failure to keep right. Lindquist was stopped at 9:24 p.m., Friday, on Ledge Road in Alabama by Deputy Jason Diehl. Further charges possible pending lab results.

Ryan Micael Flatley, 23, of Union Road, Cheektowaga, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and making a U-turn at grade. Flatley was found stuck off the road at 12:19 a.m., Saturday, on Tinkham Road in Darien by Sgt. Brian Frieday. Flatley apparently tried to make a U-turn and became stuck.

Name Redacted Upon Request, 18, of Ellicott Street, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant stemming from charges of reckless endangerment and harassment, 2nd. xxxx was reportedly spotted in the parking lot of Department of Social Services by a probation officer who knew of the warrant for a failure to pay a fine in Town of Le Roy Court. xxxxxx was detained until Sheriff's deputies arrived. He was jailed on $500 bail.

Melissa Courtney Kent, 18, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Kent is accused of stealing several items from a car parked near a party on Route 19, Town of Le Roy, over Memorial Day weekend.

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