Le Roy

The driver who crossed into the U.S. from Canada on Saturday morning simply did not stop at the border crossing, a U.S. Border Patrol spokesman said today.

Border Patrol agents and other law enforcement agencies in the border region were immediately notified of the 6:30 a.m. border crossing and a description of the car was transmitted to patrols. 

"We made an attempt to locate (the car)," said Kevin Corsaro. "She took a road we didn't take."

It wasn't until 7:45 a.m., when a Genesee County Sheriff's deputy clocked a car allegedly speeding at 90 mph on Route 5 in Le Roy, that U.S. law enforcement found the possible suspect vehicle.

That interception started a high-speed chase that involved a half-dozen law enforcement agencies and passed through Downtown Batavia and the Village of Albion before the driver lost control of her car on Route 18.

It wasn't until after the crash, according to Sheriff Gary Maha, that his office became aware of the alleged illegal border crossing and that the car his deputies just spent 15 minutes chasing, matched the description of the suspect vehicle.

Deputy J.L. Baiocco didn't know, according to Maha, that a car had zipped through the border without stopping or that the car he observed allegedly driving erratically on Route 5 might be driven by a suspect who allegedly entered the country illegally.

Lt. Eugene Jankowski of the Batavia Police Department also told us Saturday morning that the police department received no notification of an alleged illegal border crossing and that a suspect was on the loose somewhere in Western New York.

Corsaro was adamant, however, that standard procedures were followed and that all law enforcement agencies in the region were duly notified and that a description of the suspect vehicle was distributed to area law enforcement.

Corsaro was also careful to note that the woman who was eventually arrested at the end of a chase that exceeded 100 mph at times may not be the same driver who crashed through the border.

"We have not had a chance to interview her yet," Corsaro said. "She's still in the hospital."

In fact, Crystal Pinnock, 23, of Ontario, Canada, the suspect driver, is listed in satisfactory condition at Strong Memorial Hospital.

Previously:

• High-speed chase passes through Batavia this morning
• Woman who reportedly crashed through border crossing chased through Genesee County

Aaron L. Heale, 28, of 8 School St., south apartment, is charged with grand larceny in the 4th degree and one count of criminal possession of a controlled substance. Heale is accused of purchasing more than $1,000 in merchandise from a local store using checks from a bank account that had been closed for years. The investigation by Le Roy Police Detective John Condidorio began in November 2009. On Dec. 16, Det. Condidorio -- along with members of the Le Roy Police Department, the Genesee County Sheriff's office and the Genesee County Local Drug Enforcement Task Force -- executed a search warrant on Heale's apartment. Heale was not present at the time. Condidorio reports that during the search, evidence of the alleged grand larceny was found along with drug paraphernalia. Heale was located on Dec. 20 at a residence in the village and arrested. He was jailed on $1,500 bail.

Linda L. Snyder, 27, of 6 Lewis Place, Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct and endangering the welfare of a child; Paula A. Kingsley, 34, of 8 Lewis Place, Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct. Snyder and Kingsley were allegedly involved in a neighbor dispute at 4:05 p.m. on Sunday. Snyder is also accused of grabbing a 15-year-old girl and fighting with her. Both were jailed on $1,000 bail.

Ralph G. Depema, 33, of 854 Whitier Road, Spencerport, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation and unsafe turn. Depema was reportedly stopped by Officer Chris Camp Ellicott Street at 11:35 a.m. on Sunday. After the stop, it was discovered that Depema was driving despite his license reportedly being suspended 16 times. Depema was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Joshua P. Garcia, 26, of 14 Marchall Ave., Akron, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and aggravated unlicensed operation. Deputy Kevin McCarthy responded to a report from the T/A Travel Plaza of a person who reportedly passed out in the dining area and then refused to leave. Upon interviewing Garcia, McCarthy determined that he allegedly drove to the location.

Brian L. Smith, 48, 4128 Colonial Blvd., Batavia, is charged with aggravated harassment in the 2nd degree. Smith allegedly made repeated contacts via online communication with a woman in Florida after she had repeatedly asked him to stop. Investigator Kristopher Kautz characterized the communications as "harassing and alarming in nature."

Philip Anthony Caccamise, 27, of 65 South St., Le Roy, is charged with harassment. Caccamise allegedly grabbed a friend and threw him to the ground.

Glenn W. Viehdeffer, Jr., 59, of 7628 Lewiston Road, Oakfield, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, moving from lane unsafely and inadequate/no muffler. Viehdeffer was stopped for an alleged traffic violation by Deputy Jason Saile on South Pearl Street Road in Oakfield at 1:42 a.m. on Saturday.

Eric W. Kubik, 23, of 2160 Phelps Road, Basom, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and driving left of pavement markings. Kubik was stopped by Deputy Howard Carlson on Route 5 in the Town of Le Roy at 2:40 a.m. on Saturday.

John C. Bertini, 51, of 2419 Pratt Road, Corfu, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Bertini was stopped by Deputy Kevin R. McCarthy on Indian Falls Road for an alleged improper headlight at 2:08 a.m. on Sunday.

A 17-year-old from Batavia is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Deputy Kevin McCarthy investigated a car parked partially on the pavement on Gabby Road in Pembroke at 4:54 a.m. on Saturday. He found the youth allegedly in possession of marijuana.

Ricky N. Porter, Jr., 19, of 1 Walnut St., Batavia, is charged with assault in the 3rd degree and criminal contempt in the 1st. Porter allegedly violated a court order of protection by pulling the hair of a girlfriend and then hitting her numerous times in the head and face. Porter was jailed without bail.

Joshua G. Bachorski, 26, of 11 Pringle Ave., lower, Batavia, is charged petit larceny. Bachorski allegedly stole a bottle of liquor from Mr. Wine and Liquor.

Amanda M. Elliott, 25, of 18 1/2 Walnut St., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Elliott allegedly shoplifted items from Tops.

Julia R. Sallade, 18, of 9845 Roanoke Road, Pavilion, is charged with petit larceny. Sallade allegedly attempted to steal $368 worth of clothing and jewelry from JCPenney.

A woman who allegedly crashed the U.S. border crossing from Canada, somehow managed to elude law enforcement until a Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy spotted her 2000 Hyundai westbound on Route 5 in the Town of Le Roy this morning.

When Deputy J.L. Baiocco attempted to stop the car at 7:45 a.m., the driver reportedly sped away, which began a pursuit with speeds exceeding 100 mph.

It's unknown if Baiocco was initially attempting to stop the car for an alleged traffic violation, or if the Sheriff's Office had been supplied with a description of the suspect vehicle.

When City Police learned of the pursuit, Lt. Eugene Jankowski attempted to lay a spike strip on East Main Street at Summit and Liberty, but was unable to get the device down in time. The car got to the city too quickly, Jankowski told us this morning.

"It was going so fast that it was kicking up a cloud of salt dust," Jankowski said. "There was zero visibility behind it."

In Batavia, the driver reportedly made a right turn on Route 98 and headed north. City police broke off its part of the pursuit at the city limit. State police joined the pursuit at that point and Orleans County Sheriff's deputies took lead in the pursuit when the Hyundai passed into Orleans.

According to a Genesee County Sheriff's Office release distributed this afternoon, after passing through the Village of Albion, the woman lost control of her car on westbound Route 18 and crashed, allowing Orleans law enforcement to apprehend her.

Taken into custody, and transported to Strong Memorial Hospital for minor injuries, was Crystal Pinnock, 23, of Ontario, Canada.

It's unclear how Pinnock managed to elude the Border Patrol after allegedly entering the United States.

The Sheriff's Office said charges are pending in every jurisdiction that the car reportedly passed through and the investigation is ongoing.

A Le Roy man arrested last week as part of a suspected meth production ring is now accused of also passing forged currency.

Christopher J. Elmore, 31, of 14 St. Marks St., Le Roy, was arrested by Det. John Condidorio of the Le Roy PD on one count of attempted criminal possession of a forged instrument in the 1st degree and one count of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the 1st degree.

Elmore allegedly attempted to pass a forged $10 bill at a store in Le Roy on Sept. 22. When the clerk recognized the reportedly fake bill, he told Elmore the $10 bill was counterfeit. Elmore reportedly tried to take the bill back, but the clerk wouldn't let him and the clerk called police. Elmore then allegedly fled the scene. The clerk provided police with a vehicle description and license plate number.

The business had reportedly filed prior complaints of counterfeit bills coming in.   

Elmore remains in Genesee County Jail on $75,000 bail from his arrest on the criminal possession of a controlled substance charge related to the alleged meth lab at 28 Clay St. No additional bail was levied on the forged instrument charges.

There's a vehicle-rollover accident in the westbound lane of Route 5 in Le Roy.

UPDATE 8:42 p.m.: First responder reports that the road is "solid ice" and that the car went over the guardrail. The good news is, "everyone is out of the vehicle."

UPDATE 8:45 p.m.: Mercy EMS medic reports, "It's solid black ice out there." He's taking all of the patients to the toll booth.

UPDATE 8:53 p.m.: With the patients safely out of the area, Le Roy Fire is leaving the scene and back in service. "There's too much danger here."

A baby who was shaken and once described by District Attorney Lawrence Friedman as in grave condition is doing much better according to her mother.

This morning we received this e-mail from the mother (who asked that we not use her name):

I want to let everyone know the baby is doing excellent so far. She has made lots of progress. She is taking steps on her own and with help sometimes on her own holding onto to something. She is starting to use her right hand with lots of exercises. She knows the people who have been around her. She dances in her chair when she hears music. She is pretty much almost herself. With lots of prayer from people who know her and people who don't know her, she has come a long way.

Dietrich Williams is accused of shaking the baby girl and slamming the baby's head against a hard surface. He is awaiting trial on charges of assault in the first degree and reckless assault on a child. He pled not guilty to the charges in July. Williams reportedly worked with the mother in Le Roy and was acting as a sitter at the time of the alleged assault.

The mother said she's struggling because she's not working, but "all that counts is that she is getting better."

She said the baby, who will be two in March, is speaking single words and is getting therapy every day.

One driver apparently rear-ended another in a non-injury accident Sunday just after midnight.

Robert T. Long, 36, of 10 South St., Le Roy, was headed south on Route 19 when he slowed at West Bergen Road. Steven C. Kazmierczak, 25, of 61 Myrtle St., Apt. D2, Le Roy, was also southbound. Kazmierczak's car allegedly struck Long's from behind.

Kazmierczak was issued tickets for allegedly following too close, DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Kazmierczak was also cited for allegedly leaving the scene of a property-damage accident.

Kari L. Riggi Joshua A. Miller Christopher J. Elmore

The five Le Roy residents arrested this morning in connection with a suspected meth lab at 28 Clay St. have been charged and ordered held in Genesee County Jail on $75,000 bail each.

All five where charged criminal possession of a controlled substance in the second degree.

Sheriff Gary Maha announced this evening that 500 grams of methamphetamine were found at the residence.

Nathan D. Bernard Koree R. Stephenson

Previously:

• Unnamed tipster leads investigators to suspected meth lab in Le Roy
• Five arrested in Le Roy in connection with possible meth lab

 

About two months ago, local law enforcement received a tip from an unnamed informant that methamphetamine was being manufactured and sold out of a home in Le Roy.

This morning at 6:15 the officers from Le Roy, Genesee County, State Police and the DEA raided a home at 28 Clay St. and arrested five people.

"It took some time to develop probable cause for a search warrant," Sheriff Gary Maha said at a press conference this morning.

The five people arrested at the house have not been formerly charged yet. They will be arraigned later today in Le Roy Town Court.

Taken into custody were:

• Kari L. Riggi, 21, of 28 Clay St.
• Koree R. Stephenson, 22, 14 St. Marks St., Le Roy
• Christopher J. Elmore, 31, 14 St. Marks St.
• Nathan D. Bernard, 21, 28 Clay St.
• Joshua A. Miller, 20, 51 Myrtle St.

Maha described the lab found in the house as a working meth lab and that it was larger than the one allegedly found in Alabama last month.

"That was a little bit of a surprise to us," Maha said. "We didn’t expect it to be as large, so that’s why it will take a little bit more time for clean up."

Agents will be on scene all day, he said, and a clean-up crew that specializes in this sort of hazardous material clean up for law enforcement will arrive from Pennsylvania this afternoon.

The alleged lab was located in the attic and, according to Maha, there was also a quantity of finished product in the house.

Le Roy Chief Chris Hayward said his department believes some of the meth was being distributed in Le Roy, but some of it may have been going into other communities as well. He said where it was being distributed is unclear at this time.

Hayward said this is the first known meth lab found in the Village.

"Over the last 18 or 24 months I've been on public record as saying we have a growing problem in this community and we've been taking steps to address it," Hayward said. "If nothing else, this demonstrates to the community that there is a problem here that we need to address."

Hayward said he believes three of the five individuals grew up in Le Roy and another has lived in the Village for a decade or so. Police have also responded to 28 Clay on calls unrelated to the suspected meth labe, Hayward said.

The Drug Enforcement Agency also participated in the investigation, but has not yet decided whether to file federal charges against the suspects. In the Alabama/Batavia case, the three individuals arrested were immediately arraigned on federal charges, which carry stiffer penalties. Maha said then that the DEA was brought in to send a clear message that meth manufacturing won't be tolerated in Genesee County.

Five people were taken into custody this morning in connection with a suspected meth lab at 28 Clay St., Le Roy, the Sheriff's Office announced this morning.

At 6:15 a.m., the Sheriff's Office, Le Roy Police Department and State Police executed a search warrant at the Clay Street address.

No further details have been released at this time. Sheriff Gary Maha and Chief Chris Hayward are holding a joint press conference at 11 a.m.

A tree has reportedly fallen on a car at 13 Clay St., in Le Roy.

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Nick A. Hawkins, described by his attorney as a troubled young man, who admitted to robbing the Five Star Bank branch in Pavilion on Oct. 13, is going to state prison.

Judge Robert Noonan imposed a sentence of two to six years this morning, though he could not order Hawkins repay the $443 dollars he received from a teller after handing her a note because Five Star Bank did not request restitution.

Hawkins, dressed in orange jail garb, was a little tearful when he expressed regret for his crimes.

"I'd like to apologize for all the trouble I’ve caused every one," Hawkins said, pausing to wipe a tear from his face. "I know that doesn’t change it, but I d’ like a chance to make it right. That’s all."

Noonan also sentenced Hawkins on his burglary conviction, stemming from a crime he committed at Frost Ridge Campground in 2001. That  one-and-a third- to four-year sentence will be served concurrently with his robbery sentence.

Hawkins had a plea agreement that would have allowed the burglary conviction to be treated as a youthful offender case. But since the plea, the court discovered he had a previous youthful offender adjudication for a felony conviction in another county. That made him ineligible for youthful-offender status this time. Hawkins could have withdrawn his guilty plea, but did not.

Public Defender Gary Horton asked Judge Noonan for some leniency, describing Hawkins as a "tortured individual" who has struggled with a number of issues in his life.

"He realizes the seriousness of the offenses," Horton said. "He realizes the seriousness as much as anybody in this courtroom and I know he’s remorseful for any pain he has caused others. I don’t think this is an individual who should be given up on or thrown away at this time. I fear the kind of individual he will be several years from now when returned to our community."

Noonan said he felt compelled to send Hawkins to prison.

"Reading about family, your mental health, your drug addiction, the loss of your brother, these are all troubling things," Noonan said. "It’s a very sad story, no question about that. But as you stand here before me, I have to balance the trouble you've gone through with the needs of society. You need to be in prison. You’ve demonstrated you cannot abide by laws in a free society and you cannot control yourself and you committed crimes that are very troublesome."

Previously: 

• Accused bank robber comes from Le Roy family having a tough time
• Five Star Bank robber pleads guilty
• Le Roy man arrested and charged with Pavilion bank robbery
• Police pursue bank robbery suspect in Pavilion area

 

A Rochester man faces nearly half a dozen charges stemming from a single-car auto accident in Le Roy on Saturday morning.

Carlos Alberto Mateo, 30, of 27 Potomac St., Rochester, is accused of criminal trespass and fleeing the scene of an accident, as well as aggravated unlicensed operation, driving without a license and operating a vehicle without seat belts.

Mateo is suspected of driving his car into a telephone pole on Route 5 near York Road in the Town of Le Roy and then running from the scene. He was reportedly found hiding in a garage of a residence on York Road.

He was jailed on $2,500 bail.

(Photo courtesy Lorie Longhany -- original post)

Reader Lorie Longhany e-mailed in this picture of a car that hit a utility pole in Le Roy. We have no further details on the accident at this time.

A Le Roy man who was riding his ATV on abandoned railroad tracks was hurt Sunday when his ATV hit a rock and became airborne, landing on his foot.

Jeffery L. Bowker, 45, was riding along a half-mile of unused track north of Route 5 in Stafford at 4:30 p.m. when the accident occurred.

Bowker was taken to UMMC. The accident remains under investigation.

A woman who was shot in her arm during an alleged domestic dispute in Le Roy on Wednesday has been charged with a pair of crimes stemming from the incident.

Michelle L. Baumgart reportedly grabbed a hand gun belonging to Robert M. Jackson during the reported argument and in the ensuing struggle, the gun discharged.

Baumgart was arrested last night at 10:28 and charged with reckless endangerment in the first degree and criminal possession of a weapon.

She was released under the supervision of Genesee Justice following her arraignment.

At the time of the alleged incident, there were reportedly two children in the home at 8800 Keeney Road, Le Roy.