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Canadian woman charged in alleged high speed chase

By Howard B. Owens

The Canadian woman who allegedly led local law enforcement on a high speed chase through Genesee County and into Orleans County on Dec. 19 has been charged with a series of vehicle infractions and a misdemeanor steaming from the incident.

Crystal Pinnock was arraigned today in Stafford Town Court before being released to Orleans County for arraignment on charges in that county.

Pinnock was charged with:

  • Town of Le Roy, speed over 55 mph and unsafe passing.
  • Town of Stafford, unlawful fleeing of a police officer (a misdemeanor), speed over 55, failure to yield to emergency vehicle, driving left of pavement markings and a misdemeanor count of reckless driving.
  • Town of Batavia, speed in zone, driving left of pavement markings.
  • City of Batavia, speed in zone, reckless driving (misdemeanor) and three counts of passed red light.

State Police will also press charges for alleged infractions in Elba.

Previously:

After 33 years on Elba's zoning board, Balonek calls it a day

By Gretel Kauffman

F. Peter (Pete) Balonek of Elba was honored Monday night at the Elba Town Board meeting for his 33 years of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals. The instructor at SUNY Brockport and locally renowned strawberry farmer served as chairman of the ZBA for the past 15 of those years. 

He is retiring so he can spend winters in Florida.

Town Supervisor Lucine Kauffman presented him with a plaque and a hug, saying, "We may be able to fill your vacant position, but we'll never find anyone to replace you."

Balonek described his time serving on the board as "interesting."

"The most challenging part," he said, "is when you're emotionally involved. Once there was, I guess you could call it, a neighbor confrontation, and I had to be the mediator. So that was difficult."

"He's a good guy, a fair guy," said Wade Chamberlin, town council liaison to the ZBA.  "He's a good leader. He'll be hard to replace."

Accident reported on Bank Street Road

By Howard B. Owens

An accident with injuries has been reported at Bank Street Road and Batavia-Elba Townline Road.

Mercy EMS and Elba Fire have been dispatched.

Two Elba bank robbers sent to state prison for their violent crime

By Howard B. Owens

Judge Robert Noonan said he still doesn't understand why Dennis M. Abrams decided to rob a bank in Elba on June 18, but even with the defendant's "Boy Scout" background, the violent nature of the crime compelled the judge to impose a serious prison sentence.

Abarams can expect to be separated from his wife and newborn baby in state prison for up to 13-and-a-half years.

When Noonan imposed sentence, a young woman sitting in the fourth row of the courtroom burst into tears, moaned, "thirteen and a half years," jumped from her seat and rushed toward the hallway doors.

As with the sentencing of accomplice Michael J. Wells 11 days ago, two former M&T employees spoke in court about the trauma of the bank robbery and how the events changed their lives.

"I would like Mr. Abrams to close his eyes and imagine what it would be like if his wife or his mother were on the floor with a gun to her head," said Patty Hackett, who was working as a teller the day of the robbery.

Both Hackett and former branch manager Theresa Claybourn read statements similar to their Dec. 10 testimony at the Wells sentencing (for audio of those statements, click here). And both had messages directly addressing Abarams and co-defendant Damone Dillon, who was also sentenced today.

Dillon, who acted as a lookout for Abrams and Wells, received the maximum term under his plea agreement, 10 years.

While Dillon had a prior criminal convection for dealing drugs, Abrams entered the Elba bank branch in June with a spotless record. According to his attorney, Daniel M. Killelea, Abrams was literally a Boy Scout, even while growing up in Buffalo's rough East Side.

"For lack of a better term," Killelea said, "he was a nerd."

"Dennis should not have come anywhere near anything like this in his life," Killelea said. "This was not a person heading down the road of committing a violent criminal offense. This is somebody who was held out as a person of achievement in his community."

At one time, Abrams was on track to become a cop in Atlanta, until a hiring freeze derailed his plans. Meanwhile, he took a job in a collections agency, which is where he met his wife. Together, they earned more than $150,000 a year. At the time he entered the Elba M&T Bank branch, Abrams had $2,000 in cash in his pocket.

Yet, Abrams conceived of the robbery, convinced his buddies to join him, carried his own registered handgun, drove his car from Buffalo to Elba, switched license plates on the car and drove himself , Wells and Dillon to the bank. After the robbery, he drove during the getaway attempt. At best, for his part in the actual robbery, he came in waving his loaded gun "Rambo style" (as Patty Hackett put it) and at worst, he held that same gun to Hackett's head (Killelea suggested that it was Wells who held a pellet gun to Hackett's head, not Abrams).

"Judge," said Killelea, "this is somebody who was so naïve of the process, so unsophisticated, that I've asked and I know we've discussed (motioning toward District Attorney Lawrence Friedman), why, if he needed money, didn't he simply just embezzle from his employer, a collection agency?

"The simplest explanation I can think of is that there is no movie or TV show about somebody embezzling from an office like that. He must have gotten the idea from movies or television, and he didn't associate with people doing that sort of thing."

Before imposing sentence, Judge Noonan spoke at some length about how puzzled he remains about this case.

"This case reaches out to hyperbole to say that this may go down as the most puzzling case I've ever heard," Noonan said. "I can't find anything about you that wouldn't say that you would not have been voted in high school the person least likely to rob a bank."

Noonan said he will probably wonder for years about why Abrams decided to violently rob a bank.

For their part, both Abrams and Dillon turned to Hackett and Claybourn and said they apologized.

Dillon, sentenced first without Abrams in the room, made near a full turn toward the first row of the courtroom and seemed to look both Hacket and Claybourn in the eyes when he spoke.

"I did wrong," Dillon said. "I apologize. I'm sorry that happened to you all. I wish I could take it all back. I can't, so all I can say is I'm sorry."

His contrite body language, however, turned to visible agitation when Noonan pronounced his maximum available sentence. Dillon immediately folded his arms tightly and his facial expression was tense.

When Abrams was asked to speak, he never fully turned toward the first row, and would look away occasionally.

"I'm sorry. I honestly had no intention of hurting anyone," Abrams said. "I'm sorry once again for causing this stressful...I'm sorry from the bottom of my heart. I didn't mean to put you through anything like that."

After court, his uncle, John Abrams, who works in law enforcement in the City of Buffalo, said the entire Abrams family feels remorseful for what the bank employees went through that day.

"Our family is very remorseful," John Abrams said. "We hope they can get on with their lives. As a family, we are very remorseful that it happened."

Abrams added that Dennis is also remorseful and has fully cooperated with law enforcement since his arrest.

"We still support him as we always have as a family," Abrams said. "And we want to thank the judge for giving him a chance to express his remorse."

Claybourn and Hackett left the courtroom through another exit and were not available for comment following the sentencing.

Sentencing in Elba Robbery

By Howard B. Owens

Demone Dillon, who acted as a look out in a robbery of the M&T Bank in Elba, received a 10-year sentence this morning, the maximum sentence available to Judge Robert Noonan under terms of a plea deal made earlier.

Dennis Abrams, who planned the robbery, is entering the court now for sentencing.

UPDATE: Abrams receives 13-and-a-half years in state prison.

UPDATE: Full coverage posted here.

Second combine fire reported in Elba

By Howard B. Owens

For the second time today, the Elba Fire Department is being dispatched to a combine fire.

The fire is described as "fully involved."

The location this time is 7402 Bank St. Road.

UPDATE 3:25 p.m.: The fire is confirmed fully involved. It's about 500 feet from a barn. Byron's grass truck has been requested to the scene.


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UPDATE: A reader sent in the photo below.

Combine fire in Elba this morning

By Howard B. Owens

A reader sent in this camera phone photo from a combine fire on North Byron Road in Elba this morning. We have no further details on the fire at this time.

Police Beat: Two marijuana charges, one shoplifting charge

By Howard B. Owens

Valene May Blackwell, 26, of 22 Tracy Ave. Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Blackwell is accused of shoplifting $35.91 in items from Kmart.

Ryan M. Bobzin, 21, of Byron, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and driving a vehicle with a suspended registration. Bobzin was reportedly stopped by State Police on Route 237 in Byron on Monday at 10:45 a.m.

Jonathan A. Brenkus, 21, of Elba, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, aggravated unlicensed operation and driving in excess of 55 mph. Brenkus was reportedly stopped by State Police on Route 33 in Stafford Monday at 8:50 a.m.

Police Beat: Argument over dogs leads to alleged assault with cane and shovel

By Howard B. Owens

John A. Bilodeau-Redeye, 57, of 493 Bloomingdale Road, Akron, is charged with assault, 2nd degree and menacing in the second. Bilodeau-Redeye reportedly became involved in an argument with his wife over their dogs. Bilodeau-Redeye allegedly struck his wife with a cane and then grabbed a pistol and a shovel. Bilodeau-Redeye then allegedly struck his wife with the shovel while holding the pistol. The incident was investigated by Deputy Kevin McCarthy.

Michael J. Lopez, 26, of 7 Chestnut St., Apt. 3, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation and unsafe lane change. Jose Juan Santiago-Burgos, 21, of 8029 Telephone Road, Le Roy, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 4th; and, Derrick J. Krager, 19, of 32 N. Lyon St., lower, Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct. Lopez was stopped by Officer Dan Coffey on Sunday at 9:37 p.m. for an alleged unsafe lane change. Officer Matthew Baldwin assisted. During the stop, the officers reportedly found Santiago-Burgos in possession of brass knuckles. As for Krager, he allegedly became upset with the police during the traffic stop and punched the car.

Sean J. Allen, 21, of Buffalo, is charged with DWI, refusal and assault, 3rd degree. Allen was arrested after Trooper Tim Ferris observed an apparently disabled blue sedan on Route 33 on Thursday. When he approached the vehicle, he reportedly found a man sleeping in the driver's seat. The woman in the passenger seat claimed the driver, Allen, had punched her in the face. Allen was jailed on $1,500 bail.

Jesse Alvin Russell, 20, of 33 Williams St., upper, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and possession/consumption of alcohol, under 21. Russell was stopped on Route 98 in the Town of Alexander by Deputy Patrick Reeves. He reported finding marijuana in Russell's vehicle.

Curtis M. James, 29, of 107 Watson St., Batavia, is charged with DWI, consuming alcohol in a vehicle and failure to dim headlines. James was stopped on Ellicott Street by Officer Thad Mart on Sunday at 2:35 a.m.

Frank R. Oneil, 61, of 3591 Maltby Road, Oakfield, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and improper tail lights. Oneil was stopped by Officer E.E. Bolles on Sunday at 3 a.m. on W. Main Street.

Jeffrey Allen Hoag, 40, of 2058 Black Street Road, Pavilion, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and moving from lane unsafely. Hoag was charged after his car reportedly struck a tree at 7550 Route 20 in Pavilion.

David M. Bohn, 34, of 8069 Kelsey Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI, failure to keep right, operating with a suspended registration and leaving the scene of a property damage accident. On Thursday, the Sheriff's Office received a report of a two-vehicle accident at 3298 Pratt Road. One pickup truck reportedly sideswiped another and knocked off its side mirror. The suspect vehicle reportedly failed to stop. Shortly after the report of the accident, Deputy Patrick Reeves located the suspect vehicle and arrested Bohn on suspected DWI.

Alexis Anne Czaja, 27, of 60 Drake St., Oakfield, is charged with disorderly conduct. Czaja was taken into custody in Batavia on a bench warrant for failure to appear on the disorderly conduct charge.

Rolando Garcia-Perez, 38, of 15 West Ave., Elba, is charged with illegal entry into the United States. Garcia-Perez was arrested and turned over to the Border Patrol following a one-car accident on Monday at 6:54 a.m.

Derrick W. Jackson, 22, of Oakfield, is charged with menacing in the 3rd degree, criminal mischief, harassment, aggravated harassment and endangering the welfare of a child. Jackson was arrested by State Police on Sunday at 1:51 a.m. No further details provided.

Elba bank robber sentenced to 12 1/2 years in prison

By Howard B. Owens

He was the last caught, the last to admit guilt, but Michael J. Wells will be first of three Elba bank robbers to go to state prison.

And he's going away for a long time.

Judge Robert Noonan did not impose the maximum sentence available to him under terms of a plea agreement, which was 15 years. But he told Wells this afternoon that under state law, he was required to impose a lengthy sentence and that he had no qualms about doing so.

The sentenced imposed on the 24-year-old was 12.5 years, followed by five years of supervised release. Under determinant sentencing rules, Wells is looking about 10 years in prison. He could serve another five if he got into any trouble after release.

Wells has no prior criminal convictions or offenses that might indicate he would try to rob a bank and, by all accounts, no history of drug use or alcohol abuse. According to his attorney Thomas Burns, Wells comes from a good family.

Even so, Noonan said he didn't understand what led Wells to participate in a viciously violent crime.

"When this case first came before me, I thought, though I didn't say it to court personnel, 'When this case plays out, I'm going to understand what this is all about,' and here we are six months later and this still all puzzles me. ...

"This is like somebody plucked a person from out of nowhere and said, 'why don't you commit some terribly violent crime?' And you, even being an intelligent human being, said, 'Sure, I'll go along with that.' This is just totally perplexing, and as I close your file, I'm just as puzzled by that today as I was on the first day."

And it was a violent crime.

Two of the women who were working in the M&T Bank branch in Elba on June 19 spoke before Noonan sentenced Wells. Both described an event of sheer terror that has left them traumatized -- both are undergoing treatment for PTSD -- and they said, scarred for life.

Patty Hackett, a 19-year employee of M&T Bank who has shown up for every court appearance for all three defendants, spoke first. She began by explaining how she and her husband worked hard to raise two children and send them to collage. When the children were babies, her husband worked three jobs -- including pumping gas at night and working on a farm on weekends -- to help make ends meet. When it came time to pay for college for their children, he again took on a second job.

"Not once did it ever cross his mind or our minds to rob a bank because we needed cash," Hackett said.

She then described in some detail the events inside the bank during the robbery. She was on a conference call when Wells, Dennis Abrams and Demone Dillon entered the bank yelling and waving guns.

"They came running through the doors Rambo-style," Hackett said.

She was going to try and grab the other teller that morning -- Alicia Nichols -- and try to make it to the bathroom where they could lock themselves in, but before she even got out of her chair, Abrams grabbed her, she said, and threw her to the ground.

"He was holding a gun at me," Hackett said. "I was terrified. I was sick. I was thinking, 'God, we’re going to be robbed and I’m going to die.'"

Later she added, "I thought, 'This is it. We're going to die. Please help me dear God,' I remember saying. I remember seeing a picture in my mind of my beautiful daughter and my beautiful son and my husband who is the love of my life."

Theresa Claybourn who was the branch manager that day, also described a scene of terror in which she thought for sure she was going to die.

"I believe that second man was intending to keep me at bay and I thought at any second he was going to come over and see my phone off the hook and think I called the cops and then shoot me dead," Claybourn said.

When it came his turn to speak, Wells, who has largely remained stone-faced every time he appears in court, didn't say much, but he did express regret for his actions.

"I made a terrible, horrible decision that day and I wish I could change it," Wells said. "I know that I can’t. If anything comes out of this, I hope that others will learn from my poor, bad example."

Both Abrams and Dillon will be sentenced at a later date.

WBTA's Dan Fischer was given permission to tape record the hearing and will have audio available online and on air later today and tomorrow. He may air the entire hearing tomorrow morning. We'll update this story with the time when that information becomes available. We'll also link to any audio he posts once they are available.

UPDATE: Audio from WBTA, Patty Hackett describes how the crime has changed her life (mp3).

Car hits pole in Elba

By Howard B. Owens

Elba Fire and Mercy EMS are responding to a report of a car hitting a pole at 5353 Ford Road.

UPDATE 7:28 a.m.: Wires were pulled from the adjacent house. The home owner has turned off his electricity and National Grid is being dispatched.

UPDATE 7:31 a.m.: Border Patrol has also been requested to the scene.  Also, traffic is now clear.

UPDATE 7:33 a.m.: Elba Fire requested to return to scene because of smell of electrical burning in the house.


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Guns in unlocked cars among items stolen in overnight car break-ins in Elba and Byron

By Howard B. Owens

There was a rash of car break-ins over night in Elba and Byron and items stolen include long rifles, according to Deputy Brian Thompson.

Thompson is asking that anybody who saw or heard anything suspicious between the hours of 10:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. to call the Sheriff's Office at 585-345-3000.

He said any residents who find that their cars were entered over night, no matter what was taken, should call.

"People will say, 'oh, it's just some spare change,' but we need to map where these break-ins took place," Thompson said.

The pattern of break-ins include Barre in Orleans County, Thompson said. He estimates the total number of cars reported so far at about 20.

All of them were left unlocked, including the cars that contained the guns.

"People are just not getting the message," Thompson said. "Every house we go to people say they didn't know we've been having car break-ins for the last year and a half. I just don't get it. You've been reporting it. The Daily's been reporting it. It's been on WBTA and on TV in Buffalo and Rochester. People don't understand that in today's drug-infested situation we're in, it happens everywhere, not just in the city."

Investigators are looking for possibly two suspects, Thompson said. Based on the description from people who heard the timing of car doors slamming and cars driving off, it appears there is a person on foot going into cars and another person driving a getaway car.

Police Beat: Driver charged with felony unlicensed operation

By Howard B. Owens

Wayne R. Freeman, 33, of 8545 East Ave., Gasport, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree. Freeman was also reportedly cited for "multiple" equipment violations ("too many to list," states the Sheriff's Office report). Freeman was reportedly driving on Route 77 in Pembroke when Deputy Kevin McCarthy spotted his vehicle with an alleged broken tail light. Upon stopping Freeman, McCarthy discovered that Freeman's license was previously revoked for a prior DWI conviction and that Freeman was allegedly violating the terms of his conditional release. McCarthy then determined that Freeman was allegedly driving drunk. Freeman was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Peter B. Burton, 51, 360 Seward St., Rochester, was arrested and charged on a warrant for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in connection with an incident on May 22. In its press release, Batavia Police did not specify the nature of the alleged incident. Burton was jailed on $1,500 bail.

Nicole M. DellaPenna, 23, of 3842 Rose Road, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and criminal possession of a controlled substance. DellaPenna was allegedly found in possession of marijuana and cocaine during an investigation of a suspicious vehicle parked on Farwell Drive.

William J. Cassidy, 28, of 107 State St., upper, Batavia, is charged with loitering. Cassidy allegedly refused to leave the area of 20 Center St. after being asked to do so by police.

James Joseph Laudico, 19, of 1055 Sliker Road, Pembroke, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Laudico was reportedly a passenger in a vehicle stopped for an alleged traffic violation by Deputy Patrick Reeves. Reeves reportedly found marijuana in Laudico's left front pants pocket.

Kaitlyn Ann Kelly, 22, of 4079 Connecticut Ave., Island Park, is charged with petit larceny. Kelly allegedly stole $53.49 in merchandise from Target.

Allison Irene Thomas, 19, of 15 Robert Quigley Road, Scottsville, is charged wih petit larceny. Thomas allegedly stole $78.47 in merchandise from Target.

Ramon Cortes-Vasquez, 60, of Elba, was arrested by State Police in Elba on Friday at 2:42 p.m. on an unspecified arrest warrant. The State Police blotter item classifies the case as "immigration." It also says it is not a criminal investigation. The arrest took place at State Route 98 and Mechanic Street. Cortes-Vasquez was held without bail.

Cub Scout Pack 17 of Elba Partners with Care-A-Van Ministries to feed the People

By Robin Walters

  Paul Ohlson, Founder of Care-A-Van and Robin Walters, PR Director gather with the scouts.

The Cub Scout Pack 17 of Elba held a local "fun" raiser this evening at the Elba Firemans Recreation Hall.  Local families were entertained by Jeff Musial and Nickel City Reptiles and Exotics. The admissison was a non perishable food item.

The scouts combined this evening's food  admissions with their local Scouting for Food drive. All donations were then presented to Care-A-Van Ministries to help feed the local people. They also held a 50/50 and presented the proceeds to Care-A-Van.

My understanding is that over the summer the scouts had raised funds that they used to be able to present this fun evening to all families at no charge.

We thank Cub Master Chris Chadbourne scouts and their leaders and all those families that donated to help feed the local families that are in need. You truly have blessed many!

This young man was brave!

 

There was quite a crowd!

Packing the food up

Putting it on the bus

This young scout helped load the bus as well

Kids enjoy time on the bus.

Thanks again and more photos of this event can be seen on our Facebook!

Come join us there! 

Elba School Students Help Clothe Others

By Robin Walters

These young volunteers were kept busy sorting the jeans

 Recently, the Elba School students helped clothe others with their jeans.

Christine Bucceri and students of the Elba school got together to help and bless others. At a recent school dance instead of the normal admission fee to get in,the students were asked to bring a pair of jeans for admission.

They then delivered the jeans to Care-A-Van Ministsries to bless others that may be in need. I will say it was a huge pile! There had to be over 100 pair of jeans if not more.

A special thanks to Christine and the students at the school for this wonderful donation to the ministry. Those that received the jeans were very appreciative.

What a wonderful creative way to help others!

Join Local Cub Scouts for an Evening of Family Entertainment to Benefit Local Families

By Leela Chadbourne

 

Who: Elba Cub Scout Pack 17
What: Nickel City Reptile and Exotic Show
Where: Elba Fireman’s Rec Hall on Rte 98 in Elba
When: November 18th, 7 pm sharp
 
Please join Elba’s Cub Scout Pack 17 for an evening of family “fun”draising and laughs.  Come, bring a donation of a non-perishable food item and sit back, laugh and enjoy the entertainment of Jeff Musial and Nickel City Reptiles and Exotics. The show will be held at Elba Fireman’s Recreation Hall on Rte 98 in Elba on Wednesday November 18th at 7pm sharp. Doors will open to the public for seating at 6:45 and refreshments will be served following the show.  All food donations will be combined with our local Scouting For Food collection and will help provide assistance to local families this holiday season through the help of Car-A-Van Ministries. We will also be selling tickets for a 50/50 raffle with proceeds going to Car-A-Van Ministries.

Police Beat: Alleged probation violation in Greece

By Howard B. Owens

Charles Patrick Taylor, 32, of 238 Mason Ave., Greece, was picked up on a warrant for an alleged violation of probation. Taylor was arrested at the Greece Probation Department and arraigned in Stafford Town Court. Taylor was jailed on $200 bail.

A 17-year-old Elba Central School student is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. The marijuana was reportedly found in her car.

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