Many thanks to Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Brian Thompson for taking the time to introduce me—and by extension, all of you—to the newest member of the county force: Finn, the Czech Shepherd. Finn was purchased by the force through donated funds to help mostly on search missions, whether that means he's looking for a criminal hiding in a building or a bag of pot strapped under a Lexus. Take a look:
Edwin L. Stancliff, 29, of Florida, was charged with driving while intoxicated Tuesday in the town of Pembroke, Genesee County sheriff's deputies said. Stancliff crashed his vehicle on Route 5, damaging property, then fled the scene. He was also ticketed with unlicensed operation, moving from the lane unsafely and leaving the scene of a property damage accident.
Darryl M. Cummings, 31, of Buffalo, was charged with third-degree assault related to an incident at Darien Lake Theme Park in August, Genesee County sheriff's deputies said. Cummings is accused of punching a man in the face during an argument at the park.
George Dagraca, of 5 Thomas Ave., Apt. 2, Batavia, was charged with a felony county of failure to register as a sex offender, city police said. Dagraca allegedly moved from Massachusetts to Batavia on August 11 or 12, but he did not register with the city police department until August 28.
City police were alerted to a break in at the Harvester Center yesterday by one of the shop owners there, according to WBTA's Dan Fischer. Police located 27-year-old Brian Jurewicz, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, nearby. Jurewicz was charged with a felony count of burglary and may face additional charges. Police allege that Jurewicz entered several businesses at the center and caused damage inside. He was sent to Genesee County Jail on $10,000 bail. There is no mention in the report of the degree of the burglary charge, nor of what Jurewicz took from the businesses, if anything.
In other news, city police are looking for the owner of a dog that bit a child on the leg Sunday night. No charges are pending, but the police want to verify the vaccination records for the dog. The owner is described as a black male, between 35 and 40 years old. He was walking the dog on Jackson Street nearby the Salvation Army when the dog nipped the child on the leg.
Scott A. Manza, 48, of Le Roy, was charged with second-degree harassment Friday afternoon in Batavia, Genesee County sheriff's deputies. Manza is accused of slapping a mental health worker across the face during an interview.
Sabrina I. Hyde, 34, of 219 N. Spruce St., Apt. 5, Batavia, was charged with driving while intoxicated early Saturday morning, city police said. Hyde allegedly backed into another vehicle out front of her residence.
Kevin Weber, 37, of Vine St., Apt 3, Batavia, was arrested and charged with third-degree arson, city police said today. That arrest followed witness reports that Weber was responsible for a fire Monday at a storage shed at 25 Vine St. that caused minor damage to the structure. Police and fire personnel had responded to the scene of the fire Monday night, although upon their arrival the fire was already extinguished. No injuries were reported as a result of the fire. Weber was sent to Genesee County Jail without bail.
City police reported that 56 traffic tickets were issued during an enforcement patrol on Law, Oak and Ellicot Streets and Richmond Avenue during the month of September.
From the press release:
The tickets were issued for equipment violations, failure to wear seat belts, as well as suspended registrations and licenses. One fugitive from justice from Homeland Security was detained as a result of the operation.
Two separate operations focusing on commercial traffic were conducted. Officers issued 36 tickets with 6 commercial vehicles being removed from the highway due to safety concerns.
Det. Richard Schauf supplied this additional information about the fugitive arrest:
"As a result of one of the cars stopped during the operation a license check revealed that the person was wanted by Homeland Security. The division of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) took custody of the individual and transported to their facility."
Christopher A. Laird, 16, of Elba, was charged with a felony count of third-degree burglary yesterday, Genesee County sheriff's deputies said. Laird was reported missing on Saturday and was subsequently spotted by police in the village of Le Roy on Wednesday. Once he was seen, Laird allegedly fled. Police then searched the area with the help of sheriff's deputies and state police, including the state aviation unit. Laird was eventually located and arrested at a residence on Transit Road in Elba, where he had stolen a Polaris Trail Blazer off-road four-wheeler. He was arrested, charged with burglary and sent to Genesee County Jail in lieu of $5,000 bail.
Ryan M. Norton, 34, of Le Roy, was charged with second-degree harassment and endangering the welfare of a child yesterday evening, deputies said. During an argument at his residence on Summit Street in Le Roy, Norton allegedly strangled and struck a woman and endangered the welfare of a 14-year-old child.
All above reports issued in published releases from the department.
City police are investigating a string of downtown burglaries over the past several weeks, the most recent at St. Joseph's School on Summit Street, which was broken into twice on Monday and Tuesday, according to the Daily News. Palace of Sweets in Batavia City Centre was the target last week, according to Det. Richard Schauf, who told reporter Scott DeSmit that the thief made off with about $900 in cash and may have had the key to the office.
The burglar broke glass to enter the store and then opened steel blinds which bar entry to the store after-hours, to get back onto the mall concourse and, apparently, leave the building.
Dan's Tire Service and Ponderosa Restaurant were also broken into in August. Nothing was taken from the restaurant. Dan's Tires reported about $155 in cash missing from the register.
The Batavian called the police chief Tuesday morning to get some information about the downtown burglaries. We had received reports of the robberies, and several readers had come to us looking for more information about the city's law enforcement. One reader said she heard a lot of sirens over the weekend, more than seemed usual. We phoned the dispatch center to inquire about the sirens. We were told that they do not log calls in a blotter and were too busy to provide any other information.
Dan DiLaura, owner of Dan's Tire, told us that the burglary there on August 23 happened around 10:00pm. The thief smashed a window at the garage and left a blood trail leading from the entry to the cash register. DiLaura said it was a bit puzzling, because the thief seemed to know the exact location of the money, judging by the trail. Also puzzling, the $1,500 flat-screen television about a dozen feet from the cash register was left untouched.
Forty-four-year-old Thomas K. Lee was charged with a felony count of first-degree criminal contempt and a felony count of second-degree assault last night, city police said. Lee is accused of violating an order of protection by going to the home of his ex-wife. When police tried to arrest Lee at the home on MacArthur Drive, Lee allegedly punched one of the officers in the face. He was sent to Genesee County Jail without bail.
Christopher R. Waite, 19, of Oakfield, was charged with third-degree criminal trespass Monday, Genesee County sheriff's deputies said. Waite is accused of entering a home on S. Pearl St. without the owner's permission. Deputies did not say why or how Waite entered the property.
Lincoln A. DeCoursey, 30, of Pavilion, was charged with a felony count of driving while intoxicated Monday, deputies said. DeCoursey was stopped and ticketed with speeding on Route 5 in the town of Stafford when deputies found him allegedly under the influence.
Timothy R. Howard, of Lockport, was charged with a felony count of third-degree criminal possession of marijuana Friday, state police said. Howard was allegedly found with nearly 11 ounces of marijuana following a traffic stop on Dysinger Road in the town of Lockport.
Theresa E. Silliman, 40, of 3207 Pratt Road, Batavia, was charged with second-degree harassment Thursday, deputies said. Silliman is accused of slapping another woman across the face during a verbal argument.
Ten people were charged with driving while intoxicated following a state police "saturation patrol" that was set up after the Buffalo Bills game on Sunday. Another 34 traffic tickets were passed out. Those who were charged with DWI include:
Above information was provided in a published release from the state police.
WBTA's Dan Fischer spoke with the daughter of Robert Kirkup this morning following Kirkup's sentencing of 5 to 15 years in prison for killing his wife in Genesee County during a camping trip 16 years ago. Lawler asked the court to give her father the maximum sentence. You can hear why daughter Susan Lawler suspected all along that her father was responsible for the death of her mother, Janet Kirkup. Listen to the audio clip here.
Kirkup told the court that he regretted choking his wife to death and then burying her in a shallow grave in the town of Darien, which has not yet been found.
Kirkup was transferred to Genesee County in June following the resurrection of the investigation by a cold case team from California, where Kirkup was then located. In court on August 12, Kirkup said that he killed his wife in self defense.
Dan Fischer reports:
Susan Lawler said she will now turn her attention to finding her mother’s remains. Kirkup had three daughters. Susan was the only one to speak at this morning’s sentencing. His oldest daughter submitted a letter to the court supporting her father.
In other news, a house fire in South Byron required the efforts of six fire crews to battle the blaze that was still burning at noon today. No injuries were yet reported, according to Dan Fischer. Byron, South Byron, Bergen, Elba, Stafford and Le Roy departments responded to the fire at East Main Road at the corner of Mechanic Street.
Motorists dropping off students at Batavia High School are urged not to use the central bus loop, which is for buses only, according to WBTA's Dan Fischer. There are safety concerns in allowing buses and passenger vehicles in the same area. If you are picking up or dropping off students, please use the "pick-up circle" near the band room.
City Council will meet tonight at 7:00pm in the Council chambers at City Hall.
Two children died in a house fire Sunday in the village of Fredonia. More details can be found in an article from the Jamestown Post-Journal.
In Medina, a school teacher was arrested and charged with official misconduct. Scott Ballard, 33, is accused of initiating relationships with two of his former students. More details can be found in an article from the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal.
State police are looking for any information related to a string of burglaries in and around the Niagara County town of Gasport. Items reported stolen include: computer equipment, fishing equipment, golfing equipment, New York State inspection stickers, automotive diagnostic equipment, a 1979 Harley Davidson motorcycle, a Mongoose bicycle, jewelry and money.
From the press release:
The Niagara County Sheriff’s Department recovered two bicycles from an attempted burglary at the Gasport Marina on Telegraph Road. A younger looking white male was scene running from the scene.
Anyone with information concerning these thefts is asked to contact Inv. Thomas Gibbons at the State Police in Lockport at (716) 434-5588.
William P. Viscionte, 47, of Rochester, and John C. Gould, 42, of Mt. Morris, were charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property Friday, Genesee County sheriff's deputies said. The two men were apprehended following reports that they had stolen merchandise from Target in Batavia. They were stopped on the Thruway just west of Batavia. Deputies allegedly found "numerous other pieces of stolen merchandise" in the vehicle. Investigation continues. Both men were sent to Genesee County Jail with no bail.
Tanya M. Wicker, 32, of Hemlock, was charged with possession of untaxed cigarettes and attempt to evade tobacco tax Friday, sheriff's deputies said. Wicker was allegedly in possession of 10 cartons of cigarettes purchased at the Tonawanda Indian Reservation.
David M. Ross, 39, of 17 Highland Ave. (Apt: Lower), Batavia, was charged with unnecessary noise, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest Saturday evening at his home, city police said. Police had responded to a noise complaint. When Ross was issued an appearance ticket he allegedly threatened the officers.
Robert E. King, 49, of Geneseo, was charged with theft of services and third-degree unauthorized use of a vehicle over the weekend, sheriff's deputies said. King is accused of using Batavia BOCES vehicles, equipment and personnel to transport scrap from the campus to be returned for cash on several incidents from May through August of this year. He allegedly kept that money for himself.
All of the above reports were issued in published releases by the respective departments.
State police are investigating a scheme to defraud customers of Direct TV and Dish Network. This alert was issued today:
From August 2005 through November 2007 numerous names and social security numbers were illegally obtained and utilized to submit orders for customers who did not request any services from these companies. At this time it is believed that a subcontractor used by both of these companies submitted the fictitious orders for a financial gain. Both companies are aware of the situation and are no longer doing business with the subcontractor. The victims whose name or social security numbers were used then received notices from collection agencies or bills from Direct TV or Dish Network for services they never requested or received. In some cases victims are receiving bills to their address under someone else’s name.
So far, we have accounted for many victims throughout Western New York including Jamestown, Niagara Falls and Rochester. However, due to the investigation we believe that there are numerous other victims unaccounted for at this time. We are asking anyone who believes they may be a victim of this crime to contact Investigator Christopher Puckett at SP Niagara (716) 297-8730.
Genesee County's Drug Task Force teamed up with Monroe County sheriff's deputies in the arrest of Steig. J. Hale, 20, of Churchville, deputies said. Hale was charged with two felony counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and two felony counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Hale is accused of selling "a quantity" of heroin to an agent of the task force. He was sent to Genesee County Jail, arraigned Monday and released under supervision.
Tonie. R. Rhinehart, 39, of Stafford, was charged with driving while intoxicated and third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation Wednesday, Genesee County sheriff's deputies said. Rhinehart was stopped and ticketed with speeding. A subsequent investigation found her to allegedly be under the influence of alcohol and driving without a valid license.
All above reports were issued in published releases by the respective departments.
Two posts on the town of Batavia Assessment Board of Review and a post on the Batavia Concert Band Board of Directors are open, and willing participants are encouraged to apply, according to the Daily News. Folks interested in the assessment positions should get their application to the Batavia Town Hall. Call (585) 343-1729 for more information. For those looking to join up with the Batavia Concert Band, call Jason Smith at (585) 590-0743.
Election coverage in the Daily News was featured on The Batavian last night. Scroll down to view the posts.
In other news...
We encourage you to get out and pick up a copy of the Daily News at your local newsstand. Or, better yet, subscribe at BataviaNews.com.
State police are investigating a crash that claimed the life of a Depew man yesterday. Twenty-nine-year-old Thomas Delong was riding on his motorcycle along Bloomingdale Road in the town of Alabama when he lost control of the bike on a curve and crossed into the path of an oncoming vehicle, driven by Donald Jelonek, of Cheektowaga. Delong fell from his bike and was struck by the vehicle in the road. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Genesee County Coroner Robert Yungfleisch. Jelonek was not injured and faces no charges.
Angela K. Williamson, 36, of 106 Ellsworth Ave., Batavia, was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and promoting prison contraband Sunday, Genesee County sheriff's deputies said. Williamson was allegedly found with a bag of marijuana in her purse while she was being processed for a previous charge by the Batavia city police.
All above reports were issued in published releases from the various departments.
Today's Daily News features two more reports from Matt Surtel who is on a trip to Washington D.C. with a group of area veterans led by Assemblyman Steve Hawley. Surtel steps out of the spotlight for the front page piece which includes reflections of some of the vets as they observe the National World War II Memorial. A fantastic article, worth reading in full. In another article inside the paper, Surtel thrusts himself back into the fore in a quirky tale about his first-ever trip to the mess hall. My only critique of this short and punchy piece is that we only know that Surtel is in a cafeteria, but we don't know where. Where are you, Matt?
Joanne Beck must have been a busy writer yesterday. She has three pieces featured on the front page. One is about the City Council—Council President Charlie Mallow says they are "moving forward very, very quickly." Another is about Mallow stepping down as chair of the county Democratic party, news that was featured on WBTA and The Batavian this morning. The third article by Beck—which does not feature Charlie Mallow in a prominent role—is about the quartet of Chinese students who have settled at the campus of Genesee Community College for the year. It's a fun article.
Cregg Paul, co-owner of Center Street Smokehouse, was convicted of repeated failure to file corporate tax returns for his company, Employee Leasing Network, in county court Monday. He was acquitted of four other felony charges and four misdemeanors related to the returns. Paul could face up to four years in prison or "a lesser term in local jail or probation." He will be sentenced on December 10.
We encourage you to pick up a copy of the Daily News at your nearest local newsstand. Or, better yet, subscribe at BataviaNews.com.
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