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Store owner helps catch man who allegedly tried to steal adult DVDs

By Howard B. Owens

An apparent attempt to steal DVDs from an adult product store on Ellicott Street led to a search of the Buell Street neighborhood this afternoon.

A Batavia Police officer believed the man ran into a wooded area near train tracks off of Edward Street and the search was called off. 

A short time later, the owner of Pandora's Boxxx, 4818 Ellicott St., Batavia, drove down Edward and spotted a man fitting the description of the suspect.

The store owner remained in his car, called 9-1-1 and followed the suspect down Edward and into the Elmwood/St. Joseph Cemetery.

Uniformed and plain clothes officers from the Sheriff's Office and the Batavia Police Department arrived on scene and at about that time the suspect decided to try to run.

He was apprehended quickly.

The man is identified as Micahel J. Piasta, 30, of East Main Street, Batavia.

He is charged with attempted petit larceny.

The store owner praised his employee for providing an exact description of the suspect to Deputy Chris Parker, who handled the investigation.

(initial report)

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