batavia

Three Batavia churches were broken into overnight and items were stolen from at least one of the buildings, according to Officer Eric Hill, Batavia PD.

Det. Pat Corona said there was evidence recovered that should help police identify the suspect or suspects.

The first burglary was reported early this morning at St. James Episcopal Church, 405 E. Main St., and Hill and Corona responded to the scene.

Hill didn't release what was stolen from St. James, citing an ongoing investigation.

Corona said the burglar at St. James kicked in a door to gain entry.

While Hill and Corona were tied up at St. James, officials at the First Baptist Church, 306 E. Main St., reported somebody had forced his way into the church building.

Det. Rich Scauff reported for duty to investigate that break-in. Hill said no items have yet been reported stolen at the Baptist church.

As Corona was leaving St. James, officials from St. Mary’s Church, 16 Ellicott St., reported signs of forced entry at their church.

Corona said the suspect or suspects forced their way in through a basement window (photo above) and forced their way into several storage areas but so far nothing is confirmed missing.

No arrests have been made yet. The investigation is continuing.

The suspect in a stabbing that occurred shortly before 1 a.m. today on Lewis Place in Batavia was arrested and jailed without bail. Adante L. Davis, of 218 State St., Apt. 4, Batavia, is charged with second-degree assault and criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd.

The victim was treated at UMMC for non-life-threatening injuries and released. Davis was also treated at UMMC for injuries allegedly sustained in the physical altercation. Davis is scheduled to appear in court tommorow at 11:30 a.m.

The case was investigated by Officer Frank Klimjack and Officer Eric Bolles.

(Initial Report)

Two games into his professional career, Alex Mejia came through for the Muckdogs in a big way Saturday night, giving local fans an idea why the Cardinals selected the Pac-12 Player of the Year in the fourth round of June's amateur draft.

Mejia put the Muckdogs on the board in the third inning against the Lowell Spinners with an RBI double. It was Mejia first professional hit (top photo).

The former El Camino Real High School (Sylmar, Calif.) All-City shortstop also flashed some leather that proved solid defensively.

Mejia helped lead the Arizona Wildcats to a College World Series championship and signed with the Cardinals just a week ago at the end of his junior year in college to help his family out financially. He received a $250,000 bonus.

The newest Muckdog comes from a strong baseball family (his father was an All-American at Pepperdine, his sisters play college softball and his cousin is with the Washington National's AAA farm team). 

The 21-year-old Californian put up impressive numbers at Arizona, hitting .357 in 2012 and .335 in 2011.

ESPN featured Mejia in a recent article, and the shortstop received some high praise.

"His passion to succeed, his intangibles, his knowledge of the game ... Alex has it all," Lopez said. "I wouldn't trade him for anyone."

There are some analysts who believe Mejia is the best shortstop in all of college baseball. The reigning Pac-12 Player of the Year -- and Defensive Player of the Year -- is hitting .361 and boasts a fielding percentage of .959.

But Mejia wasn't the only player to contribute to the Muckdog's 3-0 win over Lowell in front of 667 loyal Muckdog fans.

David Washington, a fourth-year pro from San Diego, who is showing signs of putting it all together this year and is hitting .322, drove in two key runs in the fourth inning with a two-out double.

Tyler Melling picked up his first in four starts this season, tossing six shutout frames, scatting seven hits and striking out five Lowell batters. Mellin's ERA dropped to 2.05.

Last season's starting shortstop is now the Muckdog's closer, and Yunier Castillo picked up his third save on the year. After eight appearances, Castillo's ERA is 0.80 and he's fanned 12 in 10 innings.

First-round pick Patrick Wisdom continued his solid rookie season with two hits and some impressive defense at third base.

Also collecting a hit was catcher Jesus Montero, who is the top offensive player for the Muckdogs so far this season.

Montero is hitting .407 with three home runs and 12 RBI. His OPS is 1.072.

The fifth-year pro is the brother of Seattle Mariner's catcher Jesus R. Montero (the Seattle catcher is known as Jesus Rafael Montero as opposed to the Muckdog's Jesus Montero). The elder Montero was traded to Seattle by the Yankees, where he was considered one of the top catching prospects in the major leagues.

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A fight involving several subjects was reported on Lewis Place and Batavia PD responded.

Officers are on scene and report there is a stabbing victim at a residence on Lewis Place and possibly one other injured person.

No indication on how serious the injuries are.

Mercy EMS responding.

UPDATE 12:52 a.m.: Police were told that the victim was at a residence on Lewis, but when officers arrived, they were told the victim had left, so officers are trying to locate the victim. The knife was recovered in front of a neighboring residence. Mercy EMS is on scene.

UPDATE 1:01 a.m.: A second ambulance is requested to Batavia PD headquarters for a report of a male having trouble breathing.

UPDATE 1:04 a.m.: The victim and his brother are going to UMMC ER. Police are interviewing a suspect at HQ. Batavia PD has cleared the scene on Lewis Place.

More than 40 bands and solo performers congregated downtown Saturday, the rain stayed away, and a good time was had by all at the annual Ramble & Arts Fest in Jackson Square.

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Mercy medics are responding to Dwyer Stadium in the City of Batavia where a female behind the third-base line was reportedly struck in the head by a baseball bat. There's a Muckdogs game in progress.

UPDATE 8:11 p.m.: The woman is 50 and was struck by a flying bat from 30 feet away. She is said to have head and hand injuries and is arriving at UMMC.

A young child fell off her bike and struck her head on the pavement at 4 Lewis Place in the City of Batavia. She is unconscious. Mercy medics and city fire are en route.

UPDATE 7:19 p.m.: The girl is 12 years old and lost consciousness for about 30 seconds. She is now conscious, alert and in stable condition. She has elbow and knee pain and pain on her right side. She was not wearing a helmet. Mercy Medic #1 is taking her to UMMC.

Message from County Highway Superintendent Tim Hens:

The County Highway Department will begin a series of repairs to the River Street Bridge next week. The repairs include joint replacements and a full deck mill and fill. The repairs will have a major impact on travel across the bridge as traffic will be reduced to one lane. Motorists are encouraged to find alternate routes. The repairs are scheduled to start on Tuesday and last for at least two weeks with another closure later this summer to complete the repairs.

Two women are reportedly having a heated argument over clothes at the Golden Coin Laundry on East Main Street in Batavia. Police are responding.

UPDATED 1:14 p.m. with additional information on charges.

A 32-year-old man who clambered on to rooftops in two separate incidents Friday is in jail, being held without bail, after being charged with criminal trespass and criminal mischief.

Bradley J. Broadbent, no permanent address, climbed onto a roof and reportedly jumped from roof to roof between homes on Hutchins Street late Friday afternoon.

Police, fire and medical personnel responded to the scene and Broadbent was talked into getting onto a ladder and climbing down.

He was transported by Mercy EMS to UMMC for evaluation.

At about 8 p.m., Broadbent reportedly fled UMMC's emergency room and a short time later, police were notified of a person entering a residence on Tracy Avenue.

Broadbent reportedly knows the woman who lives at the residence.

After a search of the residence, officers reportedly located Broadbent on the roof of a neighbor's garage.

Several other charges are pending against Broadbent, according to police.

On Friday, Lt. Jim Henning characterized Broadbent as a person of interest in a case of vandalism at a business building on Swan Street.

At the Hutchins Street incident, Broadbent was observed making repeated head and upper body movements, appearing very jittery. Police described his behavior as "irrational."

The criminal trespass charge stems from the Hutchins Street incident. At Hutchins Street, Broadbent also allegedly kicked in a door of a residence, leading to the criminal mischief charge.

According to Henning, Broadbent will also be charged at his arraignment July 9 with burglary for allegedly entering the Tracy Avenue residence.

Photo: From the Hutchins Street incident Friday. 

The driver of an SUV reportedly drove into some trees an the edge of BJ's Wholesale Club in Batavia. He got out of the vehicle and was obviously angry. No one is sure what happened or why. Sheriff's deputies are responding.

The Ramble Music & Arts Fest, scheduled to start at noon today in Jackson Square, will still take place today, despite this morning's thunderstorm.

The performance schedule will run about an hour behind because of the storm, but all performers are still expected to take the stage.

UPDATE: At 11:45 a.m., singer Brent Persia was already performing on the acoustic stage. The Ramble is under way.

The Ramble Music and Arts Festival is known as a celebration of the musical culture of Genesee County—but to many of the musicians participating, it means so much more.

“I think it’s a very popular event because all the people get to reminisce about the old times,” says Andy Hare, who will participate in the 7th annual festival for the third time this Saturday. “It’s almost like a class reunion for many of the musicians and the people who follow them—the old guys like us, chasing the Sixties.”

The “us” Hare is referring to are the members of the Moonshine Valley Band, his former group that will be reunited Saturday night. The band is one of several from the good old days that is coming together specifically for this occasion.  

“It’s a chance for guys like me to get out and show they’ve got a few kicks left in them,” Hare jokes.

Founder Bill McDonald says that the festival was started to serve that very purpose — to take a walk down memory lane by reuniting all those local musicians who had played together years ago. It has since grown from its humble beginnings — this year’s event will feature 37 acts, several artists, and “many ramblin’ revelers.”

“The purpose has always been to get the current community and folks who once called our area home involved, to share in the fun and keep the music and friendships vibrant,” he explains.

The Ramble is not strictly geared toward the middle-aged crowd — the event attracts people of all ages and generations.

“The festival day and the weeks pre and post have brought many friends, young and old, musical mates, and people in general, together for some fun,” says McDonald.

The festival-goers falling under the “young” category give the Ramble its charm, as the majority are the receivers of a passed torch.

“It shows the young people what’s coming, because many of them are offspring of the performers,” says Hare. “It’s generational entertainment.”

The Ramble Music and Arts Festival will take place from noon to 8 p.m. this Saturday, July 7, in Downtown Batavia. The 37 participating acts will perform on two different stages: the electric acts in Jackson Square, and the acoustic acts on Center Street. A remembrance of past musicians will take place at 4 pm. Admission is free.

Batavia police are on Hutchins Street dealing with a person who is reportedly on a rooftop hallucinating and yelling statements about the police.

Batavia Fire Department is sending over a ladder truck and Mercy EMS is in route.

UPDATE 4:52 p.m.: The person is safely off the roof and is being transported to UMMC for evaluation. Lt. Jim Henning said that the subject asked for water and 10 minutes to gather his thoughts. Once he drank the water, he was ready to climb down the ladder provided by fire personnel. Henning said the subject fits the description of a suspect in an earlier criminal mischief complaint wherein some bathroom fixtures were ripped from the wall in a building on Swan Street.

Edward J. Fuller, 22, of Clifford Avenue, Rochester, was sent to prison for three years Thursday after being picked up on a warrant in Mt. Morris and being turned over to the Sheriff's Office. Fuller was previously convicted of criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell and failed to appear for his sentencing, so a warrant was issued. Following his arrest, Fuller was transported to Genesee County Court and sentenced by Judge Robert C. Noonan. (Original Arrest Report)

Thomas Charles Zimmer, 35, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Zimmer was allegedly in his wife's hotel room in violation of a court order.

Javier Resendez, 23, of Cockram Road, Byron, is charged with illegal entry into the United States. Resendez was taken into custody following a report of a suspicious male trying to find a ride home at the Arrow Mart on Clinton Street Road, Batavia.

Samuel Robert Thomas, 57, no permanent address, is charged with petit larceny. Thomas is accused of stealing and damaging 16 newspapers left for sale at the Arrow Mart on Clinton Street Road, Batavia.

A small fire is reported on the northwest corner of the roof on Building #4 at the VA Medical Center, located at 222 Richmond Ave. in Batavia. City firefighters are on scene and they report "there's a little smoke up there."

UPDATE 2:30 p.m.: The third platoon is called to stand by in the city fire hall.

UPDATE 2:34 p.m.: The small fire is described as "smoldering" and stems from roofing work. They are checking for extensions now.

UPDATE 2:42 p.m.: The fire is knocked down and they continue to check for extensions, reporting there is still some smoke coming from what is described as a balcony area.

UPDATE 2:50 p.m.: They plan to use a chainsaw to open up a portion of the roof to ensure there is no extension inside.

UPDATE 3:10 p.m.: The blaze is believed to have started when a worker used a heat gun while doing some lead paint abatement.

UPDATE 3:19 p.m.: The fire is completely out.

Joy Hale is this year's winner of the annual Don Carroll's Toys for Kids lottery ticket basket raffle. The basket contained more than $200 in scratchers and gift certificates (not counting potential winnings, of course). Hale's ticket was drawn by Jeff Heubusch, owner of Southside Deli, who donated the lottery tickets. Above, Carroll, left, and Heubusch.

Nicholas A. Antonucci, 25, of 4192 Broadway Road, Alexander, is charged with burglary, 2nd, grand larceny, 3rd, and grand larceny, 4th. Antonucci is accused of stealing a shotgun from a residence in the Town of Gainesville and of stealing a dirt bike from a residence in the Town of Covington. The shotgun was reportedly recovered in Batavia. Antonucci was already in the Wyoming County Jail on $100,000 bail charged with other burglaries and thefts. On each of the new charges, $50,000 was added to Antonucci's bail.

Jordan Kyle Prentice, 21, of Batavia Oakfield Townline Road, Batavia, is charged with DWAI, unlawful possession of marijuana, failure to keep right and driving left of pavement marking. Prentice was stopped at 12:42 p.m., June 22, on Judge Road, Alabama, by Sgt. Tom Sanfratello for allegedly driving down the middle of the road. Prentice is accused of driving under the influence of marijuana.

Bradley Micheal Crandall, 44, of Lake Street, Le Roy. Crandall is accused of stealing cans of beer from Tops in Le Roy. He was apprehended after a short foot chase by a store employee.

John Arthur Smith, 45, West Bergen Road, Le Roy, is charged with resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration, 2nd, and harassment, 2nd. Smith is accused of interfering with an investigation into a domestic incident. He allegedly pushed a deputy's arm away several times as the deputy attempted to place him into custody.

Sarah P. Nichols, 29, of 112 Ellsworth Ave., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Nichols is accused of stealing $50 from the cash drawer at her place of employment on West Main Street.

Lucas George Yauchzee, 22, of West Bergen Road, Bergen, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Yauchzee is accused of grabbing another person by the arms and pushing that person backwards during an argument.

Christine M. Krug-Leach, 45, of 703 W. Ferry St., Buffalo, is charged with DWI, DWAI and refusal to submit to breath test. Krug-Leach was stopped at 11:11 p.m. on West Main Street, Le Roy, by Le Roy PD following a report of an erratic driver.

Matthew R. Mancini, 26, of Bedford, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and moving from lane unsafely. Mancini was stopped at 11 p.m., Tuesday, in the Village of Alexander by State Police.

Scott Sullivan, 32, of Darien, is charged with a traffic device violation (sign). Sullivan was issued an appearance ticket by State Police on Wednesday morning.

Matthew S. Ryan, 29, of Chittenango, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Ryan was detained by State Police in Darien at 7 p.m., Tuesday.

One person was injured in an accident at 6:17 p.m., Tuesday, in the parking lot of Auto Zone, 8347 Lewiston Road, after one car backed into another.

Angelo A. Ricci III, 31, of Lyndonville, was transported to UMMC with minor injuries.

Ricci's car was struck by a 2003 Dodge Van driven by  Andrew R. Webster, 31, of Batavia,

Webster, nor his four passengers, were hurt in the crash.

The accident was investigated by Deputy Joseph Graff.