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Stafford

Woman released from hospital following Sunday night accident

By Howard B. Owens

A woman who was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital by ground ambulance following an accident on Clinton Street Road on Sunday night has been treated and released.

Margaret G. Foley, 86, of 6880 Lymon Road, Byron, reportedly lost control of her car on a snow-covered road, hit a mailbox and then a snow pile, causing her car to overturn onto the passenger side.

The accident occurred at 10:28 p.m. Sunday in the area of 5860 Clinton Street Road, Stafford.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Frank Bordonaro. No tickets were issued. No other vehicles were involved.

Here's our initial report.

Stafford man charged with stealing more than $7,000 worth of tools

By Billie Owens

A 20-year-old Stafford man has been arrested following an investigation into the theft of more than $7,000 worth of construction tools in 2008.

John R. Testa, of 6005 Bartof Road, was arrested Wednesday by the Genesee County Sheriff's Office and charged with one count of criminal possession of stolen property in the 3rd degree, a class D felony.

He is accused of allegedly taking about $7,331 in tools reported stolen from trailers at the Lowe's construction site on Veteran's Memorial Drive in Batavia. The goods were believed to have been taken during the night hours June 25 - 26, 2008.

The tools were allegedly found in Testa's possession on July 1, 2008 at a location in the Town of Stafford. They were recovered by the Sheriff's Office, with the exception of two saw-alls and a cordless drill, which are still missing.

Testa was arraigned before Stafford Town Justice Call and released under the supervision of Genesee Justice. His next court date is set for 1 p.m. on Feb. 2.

Investigator Timothy Weis handled the case, with assistance from Deputy Daniel Vanvalkenburg and Deputy Ronald Meides.

Tire comes off truck, strikes car and two people are injured

By Howard B. Owens

Two people were injured Tuesday when a tired came off a truck and struck their car.

The truck driver was not cited following the accident that sent Marcia Gere, 63, and Colleen Gere to UMMC by ambulance for treatment.

Marcia reportedly suffered whiplash and Colleen was reportedly in shock and complaining of chest pain.

The truck is owned by Hanson Aggregates of Pavilion. It was driven by Michael J. Walker, 56, of Pavilion.

The accident occurred at 11:41 a.m. on Route 5 in Stafford.

Walker had a proper overweight permit, according to Deputy Brian Thompson, who investigated the accident.

Police Beat: DWI suspect accused of kicking jail door

By Howard B. Owens

Michael V. Poleo, 26, of 3409 W. Main St., Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief 3rd, DWI, unlawful possession of marijuana and failure to keep right. Poleo was reportedly stopped by Deputy Patrick Reeves on Route 5 in the Town of Batavia following the report of an erratic driver. At the time of his arrest, he was reportedly found in possession of marijuana. Allegedly, upon arriving at the Genesee County Jail, Poleo became irate and kicked a holding cell door and cracked the window. The damage is estimated at more than $250.

Brittany L. Ellis, 20, of 15 Bostwic Place, Hornell, is charged with petit larceny. Ellis is accused of shoplifting from Famous Footware on Veteran's Memorial Drive in Batavia.

Zeke A. Gross, 38, 965 Avenue D St., Rochester, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation 1st and speeding. Gross was reportedly stopped for speeding by Deputy Patrick Reeves on Route 5 in Pembroke. After the stop, it was found that Gross reportedly has 32 suspensions or revocations on his driver's license, including operating without insurance, failure to pay child support, dishonored check, failure to pay fines and failure to answer summons. Gross posted a $350 pre-arraignment bail and was released on an appearance ticket.

Martin F. Jones, 38, no permanent address, is charged with two counts of harassment 2nd. Jones allegedly hit two different women at two different locations. One alleged incident was at 10:30 p.m. Thursday at the other was at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The alleged incidents are not related. Jones was jailed on $750 bail.

Jeffery J. Fisher II, 20, of 4940 Bigford Road, Medina, is charged with petit larceny. Fisher is accused of shoplifting alcohol from Tops Market.

A 17-year-old from Bergen was arrested by State Police at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday and charged with harassment 2nd and unlawful possession of alcohol by a person under 21. No further details were released.

Police Beat: Second area driver in a week charged under Leandra's Law

By Howard B. Owens

Michelle M. Kasper, 20, of 4591 Kams Road, Albion, is charged with DWI (as a felony under Leandra's Law), endangering the welfare of a child (three counts), and unlawful possession of marijuana. Kasper was stopped on Judge Road in Alabama by Deputy Tim Wescott at 9:30 p.m. yesterday who responded to a report of a car off the roadway. This is the second arrest of a WNY resident in the past week under terms of the recently enacted Leandra's Law.

Honour Haley Myers, 21, of 6392 Hamm Road, Lockport, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Myers was arrested following the investigation of a reported domestic incident in Stafford.

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:

Stafford man suffers broken arm in accident

By Howard B. Owens

A Stafford man suffered a broken arm in an accident 2:43 a.m. Thursday after reportedly running his car off the road in Le Roy.

John Richenberg, 20, of 8891 Fargo Road, was charged with DWI.

Richenberg was reportedly eastbound on Route 5 when his car went off the south shoulder. The 2002 Ford SUV he was driving reportedly struck a small tree, then a larger tree and then a telephone pole.

Alexander teacher accused of forcibly touching a student

By Howard B. Owens

An Alexander Central School District teacher has been accused of conducting an inappropriate relationship with a student.

He's been charged with three misdemeanor counts, which are official misconduct, endangering the welfare of a child and forcible touching.

Sheriff's investigators say they found mobile phone data and phone records linking Mark R. Hamilton, 49, of 8011 Caswell Road, Stafford, with the alleged inappropriate relationship with the student.

Sheriff's Office Youth Officer C.M. Erion obtained data from Verizon Wireless as part of his investigation, which was assisted by Western New York Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory in Buffalo.

Hamilton, a graduate of Geneseo State College, was hired in 2000 by the Alexander Central School District as an elementary school teacher. While the Sheriff's Office press release lists him as a high school teacher, the district's Web site indicates he was most recently a science teacher in the middle school. He coached Batavia girls basketball from at least 2000 until 2008. WBTA reports he's been on adminisrative leave for a month.

Woman who reportedly crashed through border crossing chased through Genesee County

By Howard B. Owens

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.

Police Beat: Oakfield man charged with grand larcney

By Howard B. Owens

Gerald C. Rosario, 45, of Oakfield, is charged with grand larceny in the fourth degree for allegedly stealing a credit card. Rosario was arrested by State Police on Wednesday in Albion at 11:48 a.m. He was issued an appearance ticket. No further details are available

Tiffany Joy Howard, 19, of 5049 E. Main St., rear, Batavia, is charged with harassment. Howard is accused of being verbally abusive and making physical threats to another person over a period of time.

Michael B. Marchese, 48, of Stafford, is charged with criminal contempt. Marchese was arrested by State Police in the Town of Batavia on Wednesday at 8:31 p.m. He was released on an appearance ticket. No further details available.

UPDATED: The following reports came in just after I posted the initial Police Beat.

Ronald K. Nobles, 65, of 74 Thistlewood Lane, Spencerport, is charged with DWI, aggravated DWI and failure to keep right. During the investigation of another car accident at 9:25 last night on Gulf Road in the Town of Le Roy, Nobles allegedly drove his car off the right shoulder and struck a utility pole. Upon further investigation by Deputy M.R. Butler, it was determined that Nobles was allegedly driving drunk. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Steven M. Binder, 20, of 9364 Creek Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd degree. Binder is reportedly the subject of an order of protection requiring him to stay away from GCC, where his ex-girlfriend attends classes. On Tuesday at 1:30 p.m., Binder was allegedly found on campus.

Motor vehicle accident in Stafford

By Billie Owens

Emergency crews are handling a two-car accident with injuries at 6212 Route 5 (Main Street) in Stafford, just east of Transit Road.

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.

Car strikes poll in Stafford on Buckley Road

By Howard B. Owens

A driver reports striking a pole on Buckley Road in area of Prentice Road in Stafford and complains of a head injury.

Stafford Fire and Mercy EMS have been dispatched.

UPDATE 7:44 a.m.: Pole is down. Wires are down.


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Fastenall landlord gets tax assistence from GCEDC for building expansion

By Howard B. Owens

A landlord in Stafford is receiving a $36,837 tax exemption to expand the building on its land, the GCEDC announced today.

BGW Properties, LLC, owns the land and building that is currently leased by Fastenall, a wholesale distribution company.

Fastenall has run out of space at the facility and was looking for a new location. The tax break will help BGW add 4,000 square feet to the building and keep Fastenall as a tenant.

The exemptions come in the form $5,600 in sales tax relief, a $1,375 mortgage tax exemption and a $29,862 property tax exemption.

BGW is expected to invest $110,000 in the expansion, and GCEDC estimates that the multiplier effect for the local economy is $47 for each dollar of tax relief.

Car reportedly rear-ended in Stafford, four people injured

By Howard B. Owens

Four people suffered minor injuries when one car reportedly rear-ended another on Batavia-Stafford Townline Road in Stafford at 3:38 p.m. yesterday.

Mark A. McLaughlin, 19, of 5872 Griswold Road, was driving north when he allegedly struck the back of a car driven by Anjelica E. Sistrunk, 22, of 308 E. Glen Ave., Syracuse.

Sistrunk had stopped before turning into 8170 Batavia-Safford Townline Road.

There were three passengers in Sistrunk's car -- Darlene Parsons, 22, Nikkia Travis, 19, and Journey M. Sistrunk, less than a year old. 

The three adults in Sistrunk's 1996 Saturn sedan were taken to UMMC where they were treated an released.

McLaughlin, driving a 2005 Toyota sedan, was treated at the scene and released.

Man injured riding ATV on old railroad tracks

By Howard B. Owens

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.

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.

Alleged hit-and-run driver strikes pedestrian in Stafford

By Howard B. Owens

A pedestrian was hit by an alleged hit-and-run driver Saturday at 6:14 p.m. on Route 5 in Stafford.

Richard D. Sanderson, 24, of 5563 Broadway Road, East Bethany, said he was walking along the road when a car crossed the white fog line and struck him with the passenger side mirror.

The mirror struck his hip.

Sanderson was transported to UMMC.

The driver has not been identified and no further description of the vehicle was released.

Police Beat: Man accused of firing shotgun at neighbor's front door

By Howard B. Owens

Gary W. Merritt, 50, of 9570 Bernd Road, Le Roy, is charged with reckless endangerment in the first degree. Merritt allegedly fired shotgun rounds at a neighbor's house. The rounds struck a glass door while the resident was standing near the door. The alleged incident occurred Saturday at 3:15 p.m. and was investigated by Deputy James Diehl. Merritt was released under supervision of Genesee County Justice.

Darryl Stephen Johnston, 34, of 111 Copeland St., is charged with petit larceny. Johnston is accused of stealing five bottles of booze off the bar at the Pizza Pantry in Corfu. The bar was closed at that time of day on Aug. 28. Johnston was arrested at his home in Rochester on Nov. 4.

Paul S. Banach, 22, of 166 Lake Road, Avon, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to stop for a stop sign, speeding and driving left of pavement markings. Banach was stopped Saturday at 2:50 a.m. by Deputy Jason Saile on Route 262 in the Town of Byron.

Arthur W. Hale, Jr., 48, of Foxe Harrow Drive, Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, and driving left of pavement markings. Hale was allegedly observed crossing a double yellow line once, and a dotted yellow line twice on Route 33 in Stafford by Sgt. Greg Walker at 2:03 a.m. on Saturday. The officer stopped Hale and determined that he was allegedly driving drunk. Hale was also cited for failure to keep right and refusing to take breath test.

David M. Jackson, 32, of Bethany, is charged with harassment and endangering the welfare of a child. Jackson was arrested by State Police at 6:10 p.m. on Saturday. No further details available.

Police Beat: Alleged speeding leads to marijuana arrest

By Howard B. Owens

Kyle R. Thill, 20, of 1469 Lewiston Road, Alabama, is charged with driving while impaired by drugs, speeding (going 53 in a 40 mph zone) and unlawful possession of marijuana. Thill was reportedly stopped by Deputy Patrick Reeves at 1:16 a.m. on Nov. 1 on Knowlesville Road in Alabama.

Michael Willard Mairrose, 20, of 4111 S. Main St. Road, Batavia, was picked up on a DWI warrant from Town of Stafford Court. He was jailed on $500 bail.

James Valentino Brown, 20, of 162 Peck St., Rochester, is charged with criminal possession of marijuana. Brown was allegedly found in possession of marijuana while at College Village. He was jailed on $250 bail.

Jeremy Scott Yantz, 29, of 214 Ellicott St., upper, Batavia, is charged with DWI. Yantz was taken into custody on a warrant stemming from a previous arrest.

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