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Pavilion

Police Beat: Pavilion woman accused of fleeing scene of accident

By Howard B. Owens

Mary A. Brairton, 20, of 6790 Junction Road, Pavilion, is charged with aggravated DWI, aggravated driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to reduce speed on a curve, leaving the scene, unlicensed operation and aggravated unlicensed operation. Brairton was allegedly involved in a motor vehicle accident on Bernd Road, Monday at 12:42 a.m.  and allegedly fled the scene. Brairton was reportedly found later by Deputy Frank Bordonaro at her residence and taken into custody.

David S. Taylor, 49, of 2384 Titus Ave., Rochester, is charged with DWI, speeding and moving from lane unsafely. Taylor was allegedly driving on Route 33 in the Village of Corfu on Sunday at 12:04 a.m. when he was allegedly seen by Village police traveling at a high rate of speed and swerve into the oncoming traffic lane.

Police Beat: Minor accident leads to drug and alcohol charges

By Howard B. Owens

Patrick L. Gugliuzza, 30, of 94 Exchange St., Attica, is charged with DWI, criminal possession of a controlled substance and following too closely. Deputies were in the area of 104435 Route 98 in Alexander investigating a motor-vehicle accident. The deputies received a report of a minor property-damage accident on southbound Route 98 near the accident scene. Upon investigation of that accident, Deputy J.M. Graff concluded that Gugliuzza was allegedly driving while intoxicated. Further investigation allegedly revealed that Gugliuzza had a small quantity of heroin. His passenger, Brandon Eck, 29, of 51 Bunnel St., Attica, was also charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument and unlawful possession marijuana.

Keith A. Finan, 44, of 10501 Bonnie Brae Drive, Darien, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, driving left of pavement markings in a no-passing zone. Finan was reportedly stopped on Bonnie Brae Drive in Darien on Friday. The investigation was conducted by Deputy Jason Saile.

William Daniel Nix, 48, of 55 Riverview Drive, Rochester, is charged with criminal mischief, harassment and disorderly conduct. Nix is accused of causing a disturbance at 48 Deli Express at 8204 Park Road. Nix was reportedly using foul language and was asked to leave. Nix allegedly continued to use foul language and got involved in a physical struggle with a clerk, tearing his shirt.

Ariana M. Busch, 19, of 10876 Bowen Road, Attica, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and failure to dim headlights. Busch was arrested following a traffic stop on Route 20 in Darien at 2:25 a.m. on Saturday.

Dylan C. Miller, 21, of 3883 Eagle Harbor Road, Albion, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, driving an unregistered car and failure to yield right-of-way. Miller was stopped by Officer T.S. Mart on Oak Street at 2:18 a.m. on Saturday.

Brian L. Smith, 47, of 8655 Jones Road, Houston, Texas, is charged with DWI and driving with improper tail lamps. Smith was stopped by Officer Dan Coffey at 1:05 a.m. on Sunda. Smith was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Scott D. Kingdon, 43, of 6243 Sparks Road, Pavilion, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Kingdon was reportedly involved in a verbal argument with a friend. The friend called the Sheriff's Office and reported that Kingdon might be at her house. While Deputy Kevin McCarthy was checking the residence, Kingdon reportedly pulled into the driveway. McCarthy allegedly found Kingdon was driving while intoxicated.

Two teenagers, one from Alexander and another from Bethany, are charged with petit larceny for an alleged theft in Alexander. The original incident was reported to State Police on Sept. 15.

David H. Robinson, 45, of Corfu, and Amber M. Robinson, 40, of Batavia, are charged with identity theft. Amber is also charged with forgery of a public record. David and Amber were arrested by State Police at 3 p.m. on Thursday. No further information is available.

Woman on UFO site claims object spotted in Pavilion area

By Howard B. Owens

An anonymous poster on a UFO site claims she and her husband saw a strange object in the sky in the Pavilion area Saturday night.

The poster says they spotted the object just around 8 p.m. and that other cars on Route 63 apparently saw it, too, because cars were swerving and stopping along the side of the road.

It was very dark out and about 8:15pm when we saw an object with 5 LARGE white lights and 1 SMALL red blinking light hovering low above the road in the distance ahead. Coming from Batavia we thought it was a radio tower or airplane or something of that nature. As we neared it we noticed it was some type of aircraft. We both were pretty calm at first because neither my husband or I believed in UFO's. As we drove directly under this object we both became extremely nervous. I didn't know what to make of what I just saw, my husband couldn't even speak. I know we were not the only ones who saw it because there were several cars in front of us an behind us.

The woman claims that they spotted another object later that evening from their house, and that object made some sort of humming sound.  The couple awoke about 3 a.m. when the same sound started again.

Five Star Bank robber pleads guilty

By Billie Owens

The 25-year-old Le Roy man accused of robbing Five Star Bank in Pavilion Oct. 5 pleaded guilty this morning in Genesee County Superior Court.

Nick A. Hawkins, of 24 W. Main St., copped to felony robbery in the third degree, which could result in two-and-a-half to seven years in state prison.

When asked by Judge Robert Noonan if he forcibly stole $443 from Five Star Bank, Hawkins said he did.

"I gave her a note that said 'Put the money in the bag now, thanks.' That's exactly what it said," Hawkins testified.

The crime prompted a four-hour manhunt in Pavilion involving deputies from Genesee, Wyoming and Livingston counties as well as State Police and the DEC all-terrain-vehicle unit.

Hawkins also pleaded guilty today to felony burglary in the third degree for breaking into a building at Frost Ridge Campground, located at 8108 Conlon Road, in the Town of Le Roy in April 2001.

The penalty for that is one-and-a-third to four years if his request for youthful offender status is accepted by Judge Noonan.

Sentencing on both charges, which are to run concurrently, is scheduled for 9:15 a.m. on Dec. 8. Hawkins remains in county jail in lieu of $25,000 bail.

Three orders of protection were also set forth by Judge Robert Noonan for the three bank employees present on the morning of the robbery.

Hawkins' attorney, Gary Horton, said afterward that he's probably looking at two-and-a-half years on a concurrent sentence.

Police Beat: Suspect accused of assault on deputy faces more charges

By Howard B. Owens

Ryan Lee Krupp, 24, 13 Pringle Ave., Batavia (pictured), is charged with criminal possession of stolen property and unlawful possession of marijuana. These are additional charges stemming from his arrest Oct. 16, which involved an alleged escape and an alleged assault on a deputy. At the time of his arrest, Krupp was allegedly found in possession of a stolen credit card and marijuana. Krupp remains in custody without bail.

William Didir Gamble, 18, of 144 Leicestershire Road, Rochester, is charged with harassment. Gamble is accused of striking and threatening two roommates at College Village.

A 10-year-old boy in Pavilion has been charged with sexual abuse in the first degree and endangering the welfare of a child. The charges stem from a report filed with the State Police on Aug. 25.  The arrest was Sept. 11. It was in the State Police blotter today. The boy was released without bail. No further details are available.

Spencer T. Johns, 18, of Castile, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Johns was issued an appearance ticket by State Police after being arrested in the Town of Bethany at 4 p.m. on Tuesday. No further details are available.

Pavilion Library holds two-day book sale, Oct. 16-17, at fire hall

By Billie Owens

The Pavilion Public Library will hold its annual Book Sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Friday, Oct. 16, and Saturday, Oct. 17. It takes place at the Pavilion Fire Department/ Recreation Hall, located at 11302 S. Lake Road.

The sale will make more room for a large amount of new books.

Prices are as follows:
Hard Cover -- $1 each
Paperback -- .50 cents each or five for $2
Videos -- $1 each

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Unique jacket not significant in capturing alleged bank robber

By Howard B. Owens

After a long weekend off, Deputy Chief Jerome Brewster got back to us on some questions we had about the arrest of Nick A. Hawkins for allegedly robbing the Five Star Bank branch in Pavilion.

He referred most of the questions to the district attorney's office, but did say: "...the jacket did not play as significant (a) role as we thought it would. "

The bank robber wore a light blue and black jacket with "Husqvarna" lettering on the left sleeve. 

Brewster said, "The arrest was the culmination of a thorough, cooperative investigation conducted by the Sheriff's Office and State Police."

He also provided this mug shot of Hawkins.

Previously:

Accused bank robber comes from Le Roy family having a tough time

By Howard B. Owens

It's been a rough couple of months for the Hawkins family of Le Roy.

Lori Hawkins, after 32 years working for area dairy farmers hasn't been unable to find a job. On Sept. 5, her second-oldest son, Mike Burrs, died at age 31 after a lifetime battle with a congenital heart disorder.

Now her 25-year-old son, Nick A. Hawkins, is charged with robbery, accused of handing a demand note to the cashier at the Five Star Bank branch in Pavilion last Monday. He is in Genesee County jail being held on $25,000 bail.

We first met Lori Hawkins at a dairy rally at Dale Stein's farm organized by Assemblyman Steve Hawley. She showed up with a cardboard sandwich sign that read "Exp. milker 4-hire. Unemployment benefits denied. Labor dept. not much help. Can you afford to hire me? I want to work!"

So far, Hawkin's efforts to land a job haven't panned out.

Hawkins said she knows how to milk cows, care for calves, administer medication and do any of the tasks associated with being a dairy farm hand. But her experience doesn't seem to matter much these days.

"Now they're hiring Mexicans," Hawkins said. "I'm 50 years old. They look at me and I think they think I'm too old. I don't know what they are thinking."

Hawkins is the mother of four children, but she said Nick is always the one she had trouble with. School counselors advised her when he was young that Nick might be borderline ADD (Attention-deficit disordered). She said he's never been properly checked out, but wonders if he might be bipolar or have obsessive-compulsive disorder.

"When he was younger, he would always act out and then regret it later," Hawkins said.

Nick Hawkins has a criminal history that Lori said started when he was a teenager. At 14 or 15, he he was accused of stealing a bike.

She said Nick was on probation from 2002 to 2007 for stealing a four-wheeler, plus she's heard of various petty crimes.

"I'm sure he's done stuff that I don't even know about," she said.

Lori said she last saw her son one evening last week and they watched TV together.

"It (news of the bank robbery) was a shock to me," she said. "I didn't even know about it."

She said Nick has no stable work history. He learned welding at BOCES and has some dairy farm experience ("I taught him how to milk cows," she said), but he never seems to be able to hold a job.

"I don't know if he develops an attitude problem or what," she said.

The death of Mike Burrs has been hard on the entire family, Hawkins said, and there's been some dispute over what to do with Mike's belongings, which includes a snowmobile and a dirt bike. Nick didn't want his grandmother to sell those items, Lori said, and the issue upset him.

"Since his brother died five weeks ago, I've been telling him he should go to counseling," Lori said. "But he's 25 years old. He's not going to listen to what his mother tells him to do."

Le Roy man arrested and charged with Pavilion bank robbery

By Howard B. Owens

Four-hundred and forty-three dollars.

That's the amount of money Nick A. Hawkins allegedly stole from Pavilion's Five Star Bank branch on Monday.

Hawkins, 25, of 24 W. Main St., Le Roy, is in custody tonight.

The money is all gone. Hawkins reportedly spent his loot before his arrest, which he allegedly took from the bank using a demand note.

The 11:30 a.m. robbery triggered a four-hour manhunt in Pavilion involving deputies from Genesee, Wyoming and Livingston counties as well as State Police and the DEC all-terrain-vehicle unit.

Hawkins is charged with robbery in the third degree. He was jailed on $25,000 bail.

No word yet on what led to his arrest.

Previously:

No hot leads in Pavilion bank robbery investigation, Sheriff says

By Howard B. Owens

There are leads, but no hot leads in the search for the man who robbed the Five Star Bank branch in Pavilion yesterday.

The man fled the scene, apparently, by heading behind the bank, toward St. Mary's Street and the train tracks and heading off into the woods in that general direction.

That, at least, is what the Sheriff's Office believed yesterday, and where deputies and state troopers concentrated their search efforts for about four hours.

The biggest clue that might lead to arrest, Sheriff Gary Maha said, is the blue and black racing jacket with "Husqvarna" lettered down the left sleeve.

The robber is described as a white male, 25 to 35 years old. He presented a demand note at the branch at 11:32 a.m. yesterday and reportedly did not display a weapon.

Audio: Gary Maha speaks with WBTA. (mp3)

UPDATE: We just received the example photo used at the top of this post from the Sheriff's Office.  This is what investigators believe is an example of the jacket the robber was wearing.

NOTE: The jacket isn't in Husqvarna's current catalog nor have I been able to find that particular jacket on sale any place online so far.  So it is pretty unique.

Manhunt in Pavilion for bank robber winding down

By Howard B. Owens

The manhunt for a bank robber in Pavilion is going into "investigative mode," said Sheriff Gary Maha minutes ago.

The uniformed personal are being pulled from the field. DEC officers from Avon are on the trails through the woods where he was last seen. They will back track to the Five Star branch to see if the robber shed his hat and jacket after leaving the bank.

"When our deputy saw somebody he wasn't wearing this hat or jacket, so either it wasn't him or he dumped his clothing," said Maha.

Investigators are talking to Pavilion business owners and residents, sharing the bank photo of the suspect and following up on leads from the scene, Maha said.

Audio: Statement by Sheriff Maha (mp3).

Search continues for Pavilion bank robber

By Billie Owens

A man suspected of robbing Five Star Bank in Pavilion at about 11:30 a.m. is still on the lam as law enforcement units from three counties (Genesee, Wyoming and Livingston) scour a heavily wooded area southwest of the village.

A state police helicopter is surveying the area, too, along with ATVs and a canine unit.

"We think he's still in the area," Genesee County Sheriff Gary Maha said. "But we're not sure."

Pavilion School has been in lockdown since the incident, but that is being called off now and school officials say the students will be dismissed at the regular time.

The suspect is described as white, between 25 and 35, between 175 and 180 lbs.. He's wearing a black jacket with light blue stripes down the sleeves, with a Husqvarna logo, sunglasses and a green and white hat.

According to Sheriff Maha, the suspect did not brandish a weapon when demanding money at the bank. He was seen running from the bank, then he dropped out of sight. Soon thereafter, a Sheriff's deputy spotted a man running down the railroad tracks nearby. He acted suspiciously and ran into the woods.

The heat-sensor equipment on board the helicopter is virtually ineffective in locating the suspect's whereabout in the thick woods. Law enforcement set up a wide parameter around the scene and eventually let the dog loose to help in the pursuit.

Meanwhile, officers were checking parked cars in the vicinity to clear them of any possible involvement. Fresh four-wheel drive tracks were spotted before the police ATVs arrived, but it's unknown if they relate to this incident.

No one apparently was injured in the heist and the Sheriff said it's unknown at this point, how much money was taken. Although it was intially reported by The Batavian that a bag with money was found, that is not the case. The suspect brought a "Target-type" bag into the bank, but it has not been found.

If this is another case of an urban resident robbing a rural bank, and that's not known yet, it would seem to indicate, according to Maha, that: "maybe they think we're easy pickin's. "

He said, on average, there's one or two bank robberies a year in Genesee County.

AUDIO: Press Conference with Sheriff Maha (mp3)

AUDIO: Statement from Sheriff Maha about releasing bank photo (mp3)

Police pursue bank robbery suspect in Pavilion area

By Howard B. Owens

Pavilion School is being locked down as police pursue a bank robbery suspect in the area.

The man is described as a white male heading toward Wyoming on foot.

Police on scene are requesting Livingston County send a K-9 unit and the State Police helicopter is being requested.

UPDATE: The suspect has been seen running on the railroad tracks, heading north out of the Village of Pavilion, near the end of St. Mary's Street. He is further described as being between 20 and 35 years old, 5'10" and about 170 lbs., wearing a bright green and white hat, sunglasses, a jacket with stripes down the sleeves and a logo of Husqvarna (on either hat or jacket).

A state police helicopter is on scene. The canine unit is readying to release the police dog. There's a lot of trails through the woods where the suspect is now. They have set up a command post at the village library and now are calling for a parameter set up at Hanson Park near the creek.

UPDATE: They've spotted fresh four-wheel drive tracks in the area, unknown as to whether that indicates an accomplice -- or is relevent to the case.

UPDATE: They've spotted a bag of money "in a Target like bag." The bank robbed was the Five-Star Bank, located 6948 Cato Street in Pavilion.

UPDATE (12:30 p.m.): Units are checking parked cars in the vicinity to determine whether any are involved in this incident. They've spotted a path off the railroad tracks heading west.

UPDATE (12:34 p.m.): Officers are scouring the ATV trails and the canine is working the trails, too. The library is offering police to come in and use Google Maps if need be. Law enforcement ATVs are en route.

UPDATE (12:47 p.m.): They've let the dog off leash to work the trail.

UPDATE (1:05 p.m.): The police are switching the command post from the library to the town hall.

Van fire in Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens

A van fire has been reported at 7500 York Road in Pavilion. The caller reports her van was being worked on. There is a lot of smoke, but no visible flames.


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Police Beat: Man arrested for punching another at Darien golf course

By Howard B. Owens

Joseph Kyle Loveland, 26, of 665 Niagara Falls Blvd., Amherst, is charged with harassment. Loveland allegedly punched another person in the face while at Chestnut Ridge Country Club in Darien at about 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. The victim was reportedly treated at the scene and declined transportation to a hospital. Loveland was issued an appearance ticket. The incident was investigated by Sgt. Greg Walker.

Pamela A. Loughridge, 41, of 5630 Buffalo Road, Apt. 5, Churchville, is charged with DWI, aggravated DWI with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle and moving from the lane unsafely. Loughridge was stopped at 6:04 p.m. yesterday by Deputy Chad Minuto on Route 237 in Byron.

Justin J. Jaszko, 30, of 8087 Kelsey Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal trespass. Jaszko allegedly entered the residence of his child's mother in Oakfield and refused to leave. The alleged incident occurred Friday morning at 8:45. Deputy Christopher Parker handled the call.

Ann M. Burgler, 49, of 6592 Royal Parkway, Lockport, is charged with DWI, DWI with a BAC of .08 or greater and failure to keep right. Burgler was stopped by Deputy Kevin McCarthy on Route 5 in Pembroke at 2:54 p.m. on Saturday.

Adam M. Gaylord, 29, of Byron, is charged with DWI, operating a vehicle with a BAC of .08 or greater and criminal possession of a weapon. Gaylord was stopped by State Police on Chapel Road in Elba at 10:50 p.m. on Friday.

Stephen L. Nichols, 33, of New York City, is charged with DWI and DWI with a BAC of .08 or greater. Nichols was stopped by State Police in Pavilion at Route 63 and Route 20 at 2:50 a.m. on Saturday.

Pavilion Post Office reopens Oct. 1

By Billie Owens

Post office box and retail services will resume at the Pavilion Post Office on Thursday, Oct. 1. It is located at 11142 Lake St. in Pavilion.  

Any P.O. box mail remaining in the existing boxes at the temporary location after close of business on Sept. 30 will be transported to the respective post office box at the Pavilion Post Office for the Oct. 1 reopening. 
 
The hours of operation are 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday.
 

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Police Beat: Driver accused of dumping trash charged with DWI

By Howard B. Owens

Gergory P. Hamm-Johnson, 19, of 10140 Brookville Road, Alexander, is charged with a felony count of DWI, aggravated DWI and illegal dumping. He was stopped by Deputy Kevin McCarthy at 2:52 a.m. for allegedly throwing trash from his vehicle onto Old Creek Road in Alexander. 

Brian T. Rushing, 24, of 3314 Eagle Harbor Road, Albion, is charged with DWI, DWI with a BAC of .08 or greater, driving left of pavement markings and unlicensed operation of a vehicle. Rushing was stopped on Townline Road in Bergen by Deputy Howard Carlson on Thursday at 5:33 a.m. for an alleged traffic violation.

Matide Maximino Luis, 21, no address, is charged with entering the country illegally. Luis was picked up last week following a traffic accident on Route 20 in Pavilion. Luis allegedly ran from the scene after deputies suspected he was in the country illegally. He was captured after a short foot chase. Luis was turned over to the Department of Homeland Security Border Patrol.

Four Genesee County men were arrested for alleged trespass on Sept. 19, according to a State Police blotter item released yesterday. The four men are apparently accused of trespassing at 2750 Maple Road, Oakfield. Arrested and charged were Ryan T. Schultz, 22, of Oakfield; Robert J. Maerten, 22, of Basom; Donald J. Maerten, 24, of Basom; and, Adam R. Bischoff, 22, of Oakfield. No further details are available.

Police Beat: Man reportedly had marijuana residue on pipe

By Howard B. Owens

Peter William Stapley, 19, of 3797 Piffard Circle, Piffard, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Stapley allegedly possessed a pipe with marijuana residue on it. He was arrested Friday at 3:39 a.m. in Pavilion.

Robert Lawrence Drozdowski, 27, of 14 W. Main St, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt. Drozdowski allegedly violated a court order which required him to have no contact of any kind with his ex-girlfriend. He allegedly sent a letter to her while incarcirated in Genesee County Jail. Drozdowski remains in jail.

William Dolose Hirsch, 22, of 10025 Buckman Road, Pavilion, is charged with two counts of harassment and stalking. Hirsch was arrested after allegedly calling his ex-girlfriend several times in June after he reportedly was told not to contact her again. He also sent her a picture for "no legitimate purpose," according to the Sheriff's Office press release. Hirsch was jailed on $2,000 bail.

Car into pole on Ellicott Street Road in Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens

A car has run into a utility pole at 6442 Ellicott Street Road, Pavilion.

Live wires are down, and the pole is down on top of the car. No word on injuries yet.

Southbound traffic is being halted.

UPDATE 1:31 p.m.: Apparently, three people were in the car. They are now in a swimming pool near the accident scene trying to wash the glass off themselves. EMS: "We've got three victims here. They are in the pool. They appear OK other than glass."

UPDATE 2:17 p.m.: Route 63 has been reopened.


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Sealer spilled on Junction Road in Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens

I didn't catch the initial call, but apparently there was an accident this morning around the 6800 block of Junction Road in Pavilion involving a sealer truck.

Sealer and yellow paint were apparently spilled on the roadway.

The highway superintendent is enroute to investigate the scene. The two vehicles involved have been towed away.


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