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Doors broken down at three stores overnight, cash and cigarettes stolen

By Howard B. Owens

A smash-and-grab thief struck three convenience stores overnight -- two in Genesee County and one in Erie -- taking cash and cigarettes.

The first break-in was reported at West Main Mini-Mart, 3845 W. Main Street Road, Batavia, at 10:54 p.m., according to Chief Deputy Jerome Brewster. The perpetrator smashed in the front doors and stole the cash register and an unknown quantity of cigarettes.

At 11:35 p.m., dispatchers received a burglary alarm for the Raceway Mini-Mart, 629 E. Main St., Batavia.

When officers arrived they found the front door smashed in and reported seeing evidence that the cash register and some quantity of cigarettes were stolen.

Chief of Police Shawn Heubusch said Batavia PD will release information on this break-in later today.

The Erie County Sheriff's reported a similar break-in at a store in Clarence at 12:33 a.m with the thief getting away with loose change, according to Brewster.

UPDATE: Batavia PD reports that about 20 cartons of cigarettes were taken from the Raceway location.

Law and Order: Maple Street resident accused of running up purchases on employer's credit card

By Howard B. Owens

Daniel Thomas Henning, 32, of Maple Street, Batavia, is charged with six counts of forgery, 2nd, and one count of grand larceny, 4th. Henning is accused of using the business credit card of his employer to make unauthorized personal purchases at a retail store on Veterans Memorial Drive. He allegedly signed the name of a coworker to the sales receipts. Henning was jailed on $20,000. He faces possible additional charges in the City of Batavia for similar activity at a store on Ellicott Street.

Matthew F. Vanbuskirk, 23, of Le Roy, is charged with DWI and unlawful possession of marijuana. Vanbuskirk was arrested by State Police related to an incident reported at 4:27 p.m., April 17. Vanbuskirk was arrested at Strong Memorial Hospital.

Rose Elizabeth George, 22, of Council House Road, Basom, was arrested on a bench warrant related to a harssment, 2nd, charge.

Woman accused of selling cocaine to undercover agent

By Howard B. Owens

A Hutchins Street resident was arrested at her home Wednesday evening by members of the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force for allegedly selling cocaine to an undercover agent.

Michelle C. Scroger, 41, is being charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, 3rd, a Class B felony, and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, 3rd.

Scroger is accused of selling cocaine to an agent on two separate occasions.

She was arrested on a sealed grand jury indictment and jailed pending further court proceedings.

Batavia PD assisted in Scroger's arrest.

Simmons appears in court for restitution hearing in Walmart case

By Howard B. Owens

Grace Suozzi, the 70-year-old former Walmart cashier who was punched in the face Christmas Eve 2011 by 27-year-old Jacquetta Simmons, is seeking $2,100 in restitution for expenses related to her injury.

Judge Robert C. Noonan presided today over a restitution hearing and will issue a decision later on the restitution request.

Suozzi's daughter, Teresa Wormley, testified that she has been handling her mother's medical care, including taking her to and from medical appointments.

The itemized list of restitution claims includes co-pays, high blood pressure medication, transportation mileage and lost earnings because Suozzi could not work as a poll watcher during the last election.

The attorney for Simmons, Earl Key, objected to just about every question put to Wormley by ADA Melissa Cianfrini, saying that Wormley lacked the proper expertise on the topics.

At one point, Noonan became exasperated with Key and told him the rules for evidence in a restitution hearing were not the same as criminal trial.

Key said he just wanted to get his objections on the record, which Noonan agreed was his right.

During cross examination, Key probed Wormley about why she hadn't submitted medical bills to workers comp and Wormley said she didn't know she could. 

In closing arguments, Key argued that Suozzi wasn't entitled to restitution for items she could have been reimbursed for (through workers comp) and that since Suozzi hadn't been to a doctor for years priror to the incident, there's no way of knowing if she already had high blood pressure. Key argued that Simmons shouldn't pay for the $215 in high blood pressure medication.

Cianfrini said that Simmons was responsible for actual out-of-pocket expenses and the restitution sought was within the scope of the law. She also pointed out that the court has previously awarded restitution for a third party to drive a victim to and from medical appointments.

After the hearing, District Attorney Lawrence Friedman said it doesn't really matter whether Suozzi has sought workers comp for her uncovered medical expenses because any restitution would go to workers comp if those claims were approved.

Typically, in restitution cases, defendants must reimburse insurance companies that have paid out claims.

Simmons, out of prison pending an appeal of her sentence, appeared in court with her family and her infant child.

At the end of the hearing, Noonan asked about the status of the stay of sentence issued by the Court of Appeals. The stay expires May 31 and Key indicated he plans to have his actual motion to have the sentence vacated by then, and will seek a continuation of the stay pending further consideration of the appeal.

Man accused of fleeing justice in Genesee County back in local jail

By Howard B. Owens

An Alabama resident who allegedly fled Genesee County justice and was later arrested in Arkansas is back in local custody, being held without bail.

On March 27, 2012, Benjamin William Muntz, 24, of Knowlesville Road, reportedly failed to appear for sentencing on his convictions for grand larceny, 3rd, burglary, 2nd, and criminal possession of stolen property, 5th.

There were reports of him being seen in Arizona and at one time State Police reportedly feared he was headed back to Genesee County with another man to rob a local farmer.

Muntz was arrested Oct. 4 in Fayetteville, Ark., on unrelated charges and served a short time in prison before being released on parole, at which time he was arrested on the warrant out of Genesee County.

Muntz also faces a possible petit larceny charge in the Town of Alabama and a burglary charge in Henry County, Georgia.

No leads in series of car break-ins, ATV theft in East Pembroke

By Howard B. Owens

Thieves made off with laptops, GPS devices, cash, backpacks and book bags during a series of break-ins to cars in the East Pembroke area this past weekend.

During the spree an ATV was stolen from a home on Read Road, East Pembroke.

Deputies are investigating the thefts but have no leads at this point, according to Chief Deputy Jerome Brewster.

There are about 20 known larcenies from Saturday and Sunday, Brewster said.

"Often times, we get a call of four or five larcenies and it turns out there may have been 15 or 20 more people who just don't report it," Brewster said.

The ATV stolen was left outside, but did not have its keys in its ignition. It was pushed down the road a ways and then apparently hotwired, Brewster says.

It's a 2009 Yamaha Raptor, white with red rims.

Brewster said another ATV was stolen in Darien about three weeks ago and later recovered in Lancaster.

It was apparently driven down a railroad bed and then abandoned.

"A lot of times these kids try to hide it in the weeds thinking it won't be found and they can come back and ride it again later," Brewster said. "They don't dare take it home."

Anyone with information that may assist in the investigation can call the Sheriff's Office at (585) 343-5000.

Law and Order: Batavia resident charged with felony DWI, driving without interlock device

By Howard B. Owens

Maurice G. Leach, 36, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with felony DWI, felony aggravated unlicensed operation, driving with out interlock device, operating out of ignition interlock restrictions, speeding, unlicensed operator and refusal to take breath test. Leach was stopped at 12:53 a.m., Tuesday, on Route 33, Stafford, by Deputy James Diehl.

Kevin P. Heinman, 30, of 8290 W. Bergen Road, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, moving from lane unsafely and refusal to take breath test. Heinman was stopped Friday by Le Roy PD after allegedly being observed making a wide left turn from Route 19 to Route 5 and weaving between two westbound lanes, then striking a curb. Heinman was jailed on an unspecified amount of bail.

Ted E. Kingsley, 40, no permanent address, is charged with petit larceny. Kingsley is accused of shoplifting from a store on West Main Street, Le Roy, taking several items, including beer. Kingsley was jailed on $1,500 bail.

Earl F. Pickard, 52, of 57 W. Main St., Le Roy, is charged with petit larceny. Pickard is accused of stealing beer from a store on West Main Street, Le Roy.

Patrick Scott Rumble, 26, of Main Street, Batavia, was arrested on a warrant for allegedly not paying a fine in Town of Byron Court stemming from a conviction on criminal possession of a controlled substance. Rumble paid the fine and was released.

Melissa Marie Morton, 27, of West Middlebury Road, East Bethany, is charged with two counts of trespass. Morton allegedly entered the Target store in Batavia on April 9 and April 12 after being previously banned from the store.

Austin D. Zauner, 17, of Darien Center, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs. Zauner is accused of driving while under the influence of marijuana. Zauner's vehicle was stopped by State Police in the Town of Bennington on Sunday for an alleged traffic violation. A trooper trained in drug recognition evaluated Zauner and a urine sample was collected for analysis at the crime lab in Albany. His passengers, Matthew P. Tambe, 18, and Tyler M. Tambe, 18, were charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

Crime Victims' Week kicks off with flag raising, seminar on human trafficking at GCC

By Howard B. Owens

Crime Victims' Rights Week kicked off in Genesee County today with the raising of a ceremonial flag by a local law enforcement color guard at Genesee Community College, followed by a daylong seminar for students, police and others who work with crime victims on human trafficking.

Theresa Asmus delivered opening remarks. U.S. Attorney for WNY William Hochul was the morning's keynote speaker.

Law and Order: Man accused of shouting obscenities, resisting arrest

By Howard B. Owens

Russell L. Penepent, 50, of 218 State St., Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct, harassment, 2nd, and resisting arrest. Penepent is accused of yelling obscenities at passing traffic while in the area of 19 Oak St., Batavia, and causing a disturbance. Penepent then allegedly fought with police when officers attempted to take him into custody. Penepent was jailed on $10,000 bail or $20,000 bond. The incident was handled by officers Eric Dibble, Kevin DeFelice, Marc Lawrence and Sgt. Chris Camp.

Jamie L. Ayala, 33, of 10 Wood St., Batavia, is charged with trespass. The alleged incident was reported April 16 at 412 E. Main St., Batavia, and Ayala turned herself in on a warrant Thursday. No further details released.

Robert L. Stanley, 53, of 26 Ganson Ave., lower, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Stanley is accused of violating a stay away order of protection at 7:24 p.m., Friday. Stanley was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Matthew A. Poole, 21, of 5 Warren St., Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct. Poole was charged following an alleged incident reported at 2:16 a.m. Sunday at 262 East Ave. in Batavia.  No further details were released.

Jeremy R. Eaton, 36, of 129 State St., Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd, criminal mischief, 4th, and endangering the welfare of a child. Eaton turned himself in on a warrant related to an alleged incident at 12:40 a.m., Friday. Eaton was jailed on $1,000 bail. No further details were released.

Danny J. Torok Jr., 25, of 34 Maple St., upper, is charged with harassment ,2nd, criminal obstruction of breathing/blood circulation and endangering the welfare of child. Torok was arrested in connection with an alleged incident at 11:45 a.m. Friday at 34 Maple St., Batavia. Torok was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Jordan Matthew Brown, 20, of Ellicott Street, upper, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Brown is accused of shoplifting at Kmart on Friday.

Michael Foster Brandt, 22, of Montclair Avenue, Batavia, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, tinted windows, no front plant and loud exhaust. Brandt was stopped at 4:01 p.m. on Feb. 2 by Deputy Kevin McCarthy. Further investigation revealed Brandt was allegedly under the influence of drugs at the time of the stop.

Michael Foster Brandt, 22, of Montclair Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, for allegedly kicking and damaging the car of another person at a location on Route 5, Stafford, at 4:24 p.m. Jan. 26.

Destiny Mikel London, 22, of Hanlon Road, Albion, is charged with two counts of felony aggravated DWI, driving while ability impaired by drugs, driving on a suspended registration, aggravated unlicensed operation and no insurance. London was stopped at 6:33 p.m., Friday, on Main Street, Oakfield, by Deputy Howard Carlson. She allegedly had two children in the vehicle at the time, ages 2 and 3.

Minnie Henry, 25, Pearl Street Road, Batavia, is charged with resisting arrest, DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Henry's vehicle was stopped for allegedly driving 69 in a 66 mph zone on Hartshorn Road at 2:10 a.m. Saturday by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Jared Shaun McDonald, 19, of Lake Street Road, Pavilion, is charged with assault, 3rd. McDonald allegedly pushed another person causing a back injury at 3:57 a.m., Sunday. McDonald was jailed on $1,000 bail or $2,000 bond.

A 17-year-old from Darien Center, is charged with petit larceny. The youth is accused of shoplifting from Kmart.

Summer R. Prentice, 19, of Knowlesville Road, Alabama, is charged with obstructing governmental administration, 2nd, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and harassment, 2nd. Prentice was arrested and held on bail related to alleged events reported at 12:46 p.m., April 5, in the Town of Oakfield.

Stephanie A. Wixson, 36, of North Street, Batavia, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation and driving while impaired by drugs. Wixson was stopped at 10:31 p.m. April 16 in the Town of Alexander by State Police. No further details released.

ERT assists in arrest of parolee considered armed and dangerous

By Howard B. Owens

The Emergency Response Team was deployed in Bethany yesterday to help authorities arrest a parolee who was considered armed and dangerous.

Christopher Allen Harzynski, 30, a parolee from Buffalo who was residing on West Bethany Road, was wanted for an alleged parole violation.

Harzynski was taken into custody without incident.

He has allegedly been on the run since Sept 27.

Deputy John Baiocco investigated his possible whereabouts for two weeks before locating him.

Besides the ERT squad, the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force and Deputy Lonnie Nati assisted Baiocco in the arrest.

Harzynski is being held at the Genesee County Jail pending pick up by his parole officer.

Law and Order: Two charged with alleged burglary in Pavilion

By Howard B. Owens

Jamie R. Bachorski, 18, of Webber Avenue, Oakfield, and Matthew J. Vandorn, 23, of Trumbell Parkway, Batavia, are charged with burglary, 3rd. Bachorski and Vandorn were arrested yesterday as the result of an investigation into a burglary reported July 5. The investigation began with the report of a barn being broken into and several items stolen. Both suspects were jailed on $5,000 each. The investigation was conducted by Juvenile Officer John Dehm, Investigator Timothy Weis and deputies Timothy Wescott, Cory Mower, Chad Minuto and James Diehl.

Carl Joseph Shelter, 25, of Lewiston Road, Alabama, is charged with unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, failure to stop for stop sign, speeding (139 mph in a 55 mph zone), operation of a motor vehicle by an unlicensed driver and failure to keep right. Shelter was arrested following a pursuit that started on Feeder Road, Alabama, at 12:56 a.m. and concluded later on the Tonawanda Indian Reservation. He is also charged with uninspected motor vehicle, no/inadequate plate lamp and failure to dim high beams.

Batavia man admits transporting girl out of state for sexual purposes

By Howard B. Owens

A Batavia man entered a guilty plea in federal court yesterday to one count of transporting an individual in interstate commerce for the purpose of engaging in illegal sexual activity.

Timothy Logsdon, 29, of Dewey Avenue, Batavia, faces a sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The Sheriff's Office initiated an investigation in September after receiving a report that a 16-year-old girl was missing. The girl's parents suspected their daughter might be with Logsdon.

The FBI assisted in the investigation and obtained a court order to allow a trace of Logsdon's mobile phone.

Logsdon was located by Kentucky State Police in Bowling Green.

When located, Logsdon admitted to officers that he was in the process of transporting the victim to the state of Tennessee where the two planned to live together and carry on a relationship. The defendant was placed under arrest and remains in custody.

Sentencing is set for Aug. 5.

Law and Order: Driver charged with DWI after vehicle goes into water off Creek Road, Bethany

By Howard B. Owens

Robert Thomas Seager, 43, of East Main Road, Batavia, is charged with felony DWI, driving with a BAC of .08, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, failure to stop at stop sign, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle and refusal to take breath test. Seager was arrested following the investigation into a property damage accident reported at 9:51 p.m. Tuesday at Putnam and Creek roads, Bethany. (Initial Report)

Autumn Marie Sierra, 19, of 77nd Street, Brooklyn, is charged with criminal nuisance, 2nd, and unlawful possession of marijuana. Sierra is suspected of covering the smoke detector in her room at College Village making it inoperable. Upon investigation, Sierra was also allegedly found to possess marijuana. Also charged was Mona'e Kristin Damon, 18, of Thompkins Avenue, Brooklyn, as well as Oumou Sy, 18, of East 102nd Street, New York City.

Christopher Leo Stone, 30, of Willow Pond Way, Penfield, is charged ith DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Stone was stopped at 1:09 a.m. April 13 on Route 33, Byron, by Sgt. Greg Walker, for allegedly driving 84 mph in a 55 mph zone.

Rodeny Ira Dean, 45, of Bloomingdale Road, Tonawanda Indian Reservation, is charged with felony DWI, moved from lane unsafely, refusal to submit to pre-screen device, drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle. Dean was reportedly involved in a single-car accident at 8:18 p.m., Monday, on Akron Road, Pembroke. Dean's vehicle struck the guy wire of a utility pole, shearing the pole and knocking electrical wires to the ground. Dean suffered minor injuries and was transported to ECMC for evaluation. Additional charges may be pending. The accident was investigated by Deputy Chad Minuto.

Batavia resident convicted of sex crimes by Ontario County jury

By Howard B. Owens

Michael Lewis, 42, most recently a Batavia resident, was found guilty Tuesday of sexually assaulting two girls under age 14 in East Bloomfield over an 18-month period in 2010 and 2011.

Lewis was originally indicted on 335 counts by an Ontario County Grand Jury. It took a jury more than four hours to reach a guilty verdict on 38 counts.

According to an Ontario County District Attorney's press release, "Under the law, in indictments of this magnitude, a judge is authorized to submit representative counts of the indictment to the jury. In this case, Hon. Frederick G. Reed submitted 8 counts of Predatory Sexual Assault Against a Child, 4 counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and 26 counts of Rape in the first, second and third degrees. The jury convicted Lewis of every single submitted count."

Lewis faces up to life in prison. Sentencing is set for June 26.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney James Ritts.

The press release praises the work of Ritts and the four girls who testified:

ADA Ritts did a masterful job of preparing the case and presenting it to the jury, making the huge number of crimes manageable and understandable. And real credit goes to the four young girls who testified in this case — two victims and two other witnesses. Each of them was able to summon the courage to describe to the jury, while sitting mere feet from the defendant, the sordid acts they endured or witnessed.

Deputies handle more felony cases in first quarter of 2013, Sheriff reports

By Howard B. Owens

In the first quarter of 2013, felony investigations in Genesee County have increased 71 percent over the same period in 2012, according to Sheriff Gary Maha.

Maha delivered a report today to the Legislature's Public Service Committee.

The increase (52 cases up to 89) seems to be the result of more burglary and grand larceny reports.

There have also been more sex-related criminal reports.

For the office of investigations, there's also been a significant increase in pistol license background checks.

For the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force, the most prevalent drugs seen locally are cocaine and marijuana, but there has also been an ongoing increase in the possession and sale of prescription medications, particular hydrocodone and OxyContin.

For road patrol, deputies responded to 7,032 incidents during the quarter. That's a 10-percent hike over 2012.

However, 9-1-1 calls dropped 11 percent year-over-year to 6,033.

Non-9-1-1 calls are up 10 percent to 30,472.

At the same time, the jail population has dropped from an average of 76 inmates to 72, though the female population has increased from 12 to 15.

The Sheriff expects the Commission of Correction to recommend adding seven corrections officers (which includes two supervisor positions).

More female inmates, since they must be housed at facilities in neighboring counties, could add $150,000 in expenses.

Genesee Justice currently has a caseload of 594. There were 203 new case files opened in the first quarter, compared to 214 a year ago.

The Child Advocacy Center handled 65 new cases, compared to 57 a year ago.

For Sheriff's Office administration, the Sheriff continues to work on fundraising for a new K-9. The villages of Bergen and Oakfield renewed their patrol contracts.

Maha anticipates a need for more seasonal deptuties to handle the Darien Lake concert series.  Last year, there were 10 positions. He's requesting 15. Darien Lake reimburses the county for the cost of these positions.

Task Force arrests alleged marijuana dealer

By Howard B. Owens

An investigation by members of the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force into alleged trafficking of marijuana in Batavia has led to the arrest of Vincent M. Eschenlauer, 22, of Lewiston Road, Batavia.

Agents allegedly found more than a pound of marijuana and $3,500 in cash at his residence.

Eschenlauer is charged with one count of criminal possession of marijuana, 2nd, a Class D felony.

Following arraignment, Eschenlauer was released under supervision of Genesee Justice.

Law and Order: Driver accused of giving false name to deputy

By Howard B. Owens

Joshua Tyler Gilbert, 20, of Lewiston Road, Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct.  Gilbert was stopped at 8:20 p.m. Saturday on Route 77, Darien, by Deputy Joseph Corona for allegedly speeding. During the traffic stop, a warrant for Gilbert's arrest was discovered and he was taken into custody. Bail was set at $100.

Joseph Carl Jeffords, 22, of West Main Street, Le Roy, is charged with criminal impersonation, 2nd. Jeffords was reportedly the driver of a vehicle stopped at 11:24 p.m. Saturday on West Main Street Road, Batavia. Jeffords allegedly gave Deputy Patrick Reeves a false name during the traffic stop. Jeffords allegedly was driving without a valid NYS drivers license and has three suspensions. Jeffords was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Patrick Daniel Moore, 35, of Stouts Road, Elba, is charged with promoting prison contraband, 2nd. Moore allegedly possessed tobacco while confined at the Genesee County Jail.

Alexander Phillip Browne, 28, of Lake to Lake Road, Stanley, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, speeding and refused pre-screen device. Browne was stopped at 12:46 a.m. Sunday on Route 5, Batavia, by Sgt. Thomas Sanfratello.

Richard Thomas Cooke, 44, of Hedley Street, Medina, is charged with petit larceny. Cooke is accused of stealing scrap from a location on West Main Street Road, Batavia. The property owner reportedly confronted Cooke. The suspect allegedly fled the scene in his pickup truck. Cooke was located later at his residence in Medina and taken into custody.

Two 17-year-old Batavia residents are charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. The two teens were located in a vehicle behind a shopping plaza on West Main Street, Batavia, by members of the Local Drug Task Force. A quantity of marijuana was allegedly spotted in the lap of one of the teens. Upon further investigation more marijuana was allegedly located in the vehicle.

Lisa Marie Harlach, 44, of Kelsey Road, lower, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Harlach was arrested on a warrant for allegedly making verbal threats to kill or harm another person by use of a firearm.

Michael J. Penvose, 33, of 27 E. Main St., Le Roy, is charged with petit larceny. Penvose is accused of shoplifting from a business on West Avenue, Le Roy.

Woman accused of threatening deputy with knife plans to proceed in case with new attorney

By Howard B. Owens

A former Le Roy resident who is accused of holding a kitchen knife to the chest of a Sheriff's Deputy last summer is getting a new attorney to handle her criminal case.

Her case may also be consolidated with the case against her husband stemming from the same incident.

Elaina Mead is charged with attempted aggravated assault on a police officer, a Class C felony, menacing a police officer, a Class D felony, and obstructing governmental administration.

Her husband, Donald Mead is charged with assault, 2nd, a Class D felony, criminal possession of a weapon and obstructing governmental administration.

The charges stem from events June 17 at 21 Maple Ave., Le Roy, when Deputy Matthew Butler went to the Mead residence, along with Le Roy PD Officer Emily Clark, to question Michael Mead about an alleged violation of a court order. When Butler reportedly tried to place Michael Mead under arrest, his parents allegedly became involved in a scuffle with Butler and Clark.

Mead allegedly came out of the kitchen with a knife and according to the officers, held it against Butler's chest. Clark reportedly knocked it away and sustained a very minor cut on her hand in the process.

In January, the 43-year-old Elaina entered a guilty plea on an Alford basis, to attempted menacing of a police officer. She would not admit to the factual allegations, but an Alford plea affords a defendant a chance to avoid a jury trial when the evidence seems strong and possibly more time in prison if convicted.

Last month, Elaina Mead withdrew her guilty plea.

Both Elaina and Donald Mead return to court in 10 days for Elaina's new attorney to take over the case and for a possible consolidation of the two cases.

Maple Street resident confronts apparent burglars overnight

By Howard B. Owens

A Maple Street resident heard noises, became suspicious and wound up in a scuffle with a pair of apparent burglars overnight and Batavia PD is looking for information that might lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.

The call of a disturbance on Maple came in about 3 a.m.

The neighbor knew an apartment should have been unoccupied at the time and upon investigating found two people trying to flee from the residence. He confronted them and became involved in a physical altercation with at least one of the suspects.

The suspect is likely to have a facial injury, according to BPD.

Both suspects are white males. One was wearing a dark colored hooded sweatshirt. The other was described as approximately 5’8” in height, with black hair and wearing a dark blue hooded sweat shirt and blue jeans.

Reportedly stolen was a gray personal safe containing a quantity of cash and medications.

BPD can be reached at (585) 345-6350 and the confidential tip line is (585) 345-6370.

VP at GCC reportedly arrested in Rochester on public lewdness charge

By Howard B. Owens

Genesee Community College's second-highest ranking administrator, the interim VP for Academic Affairs, Michael Stoll, was reportedly arrested on Good Friday in Rochester for alleged public lewdness.

The 66-year-old resident of Warboys Road, Bergen, allegedly exposed himself to an undercover police officer at 11 a.m. while in a Rochester municipal park.

Our news partner WBTA learned of the arrest from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.

The charge against Stoll is a Class B misdemeanor.

Stoll posted $250 bail the same day.

The senior administrator began his career at GCC 42 years ago when the college first opened.

GCC spokesman Richard Ensman told WBTA that the college was not aware of Stoll’s arrest. Ensman said GCC is investigating.

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