batavia

The Canandian woman who earlier this week was charged with a series of crimes in Genesee County stemming from a high-speed chase on Dec. 19 faced justice in Orleans County yesterday.

The Buffalo News reports that Crystal Pinnock appeared in Albion Town Court to answer to charges in Albion, Barre and Gaines. She also appeared later in Carlton. 

She was charged with reckless driving, speeding and failure to yield to a police vehicle, among other charges.

Albion Justice Kevin J. Howard committed her to jail without bail.

For the sixth straight year, the Batavia High Blue Devils won the annual Batavia Lions Club Basketball Tournament, this time beating Notre Dame 66-33.

Josh Budlong had 14 rebounds as Batavia moved to 6-1. Andrew Hoy scored 12 points. Tom Rapone scored 10 points for Notre Dame. Gianni Zambito added 9 more.  Co Co Irvin was the tournament's MVP. He scored 15 points in the final.

AUDIO:  Post game chat with tournament MVP Co Co Irvin (mp3).

There are 46 more photos from tonight's final game after the jump:

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Deputy Brad Mazur apparently makes for a convincing pizza delivery driver.

On Nov. 15, Mazur showed up at the home of a Byron woman with a fresh pizza from Fullerino's Pizza and asked her to sign the credit card slip.  The woman signed, just as she reportedly has before for orders from Fullerino's.

Mazur's ruse worked.

The credit card number used by the woman was allegedly stolen.

After Mazur identified himself he asked the lady a few questions. The interview led to the discovery of several such allegedly fraudulent transactions that began with the woman reportedly stealing credit card numbers while employed at Batavia Citgo.

Mazur delivered his pizza to Alisha A. Ballard, 21, of 7174 Byron Road.

Ballard faces several charges, including petit larceny, forgery 2nd, unlawful possession of a  personal ID, identify theft 2nd and falsifying business records 1st.

After being arraigned in Batavia City Court, Ballard was released under the supervision of Genesee Justice.

The investigation began Oct. 30 after a local resident complained that his credit card number had been used without his authorization to order food from Fullerino's. Mazur and Deputy John Duyssen conducted the investigation.

The alleged credit card thefts date back to Aug. 18.

Patti Pacino, most recently an alumni coordinator for GCC, has been selected to fill the Ward 2 Batavia City Council seat by Ward 2 Republicans.

Pacino will replace Marianne Clattenburg, who was elected to an at-large seat in November.

Pacino was born in Batavia and has a long history of community involvement, including membership in Kiwanis and Zonta International. She has been a teacher and worked for both Genesee Community College and Batavia High School, where she was a career center coordinator.

She has also served as on the board of directors for the Genesee county YWCA and the Cornell Cooperative Extension.

In 2004 she was named Geneseean of the Year by the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce.

She's married to James R. Pacino.

In a statement, Ward 2 GOP Chairman Chad Bachorski said, "The committee feels with experience and obvious dedication to her work, Patti will be an excellent fit in representing the citizens of the second ward on City Council."

If approved by the Council, Pacino will be sworn in Monday.

UPDATE: I did a video interview with Patti this afternoon.  Assuming no glitches or interruptions, I'll have it posted by this evening.

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:

• Woman who reportedly crashed through border crossing chased through Genesee County
• Border Patrol says it notified local law enforcement of alleged illegal border crossing

Ryan Tenney, who admitted to embezzling more than $100,000 from his former employer, Elcon, Inc., still hasn't been sentenced for his crimes.

While his attorney would like to delay his sentencing at least one more time, Judge Robert Noonan ruled this morning that the sentencing scheduled for 9 a.m. Jan. 4 will stay on the court calender.

"I'm not yet certain Mr. Tenney should be out (of incarceration) in long-term treatment," Noonan said. "It won't take much from Hope Haven to report a rules violation to go straight to sentencing."

Tenney was released from jail on Dec. 2 to enter substance abuse treatment at Hope Haven. A report on his progress was not available to Noonan this morning, so even though Hope Haven is recommending Tenney now be placed in Trapping Brook, another treatment house, Noonan didn't want to delay the scheduled sentencing.

Tenney's attorney Gary Horton said after court that a bed could open for Tenney at Trapping Brook within days.

Previously:

• Batavia man admits to stealing $106,000 from employer
• Elcon owner says he needs embezzler's help to work computer accounting system
• Tenney jailed, but not yet sentenced in embezzlement case
• Judge tells embezzler: get help or go to prison

Two people accused of dealing cocaine were arrested at the Days Inn at 200 Oak St., Batavia, early this morning.

Both were arraigned in City Court at 11 a.m.

Taheed M. Moffett and Lekisha M. Avant are both charged with criminal possession with intent to sell and criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Judge Robert Balbick set bail for Moffett at $50,000 and for Avant at $15,000.

According to First Assistant District Attorney David Gann, if convicted, Moffett will have a second felony conviction. He also has a pending robbery charge.

Moffett, who was not represented in court by an attorney, which is common at this stage of criminal procedures, asked for reduced bail.

"I've been at every court date and haven't been late for one court date," Moffett said. "I hope that can be taken into consideration. I'm not a flight risk. I have family in the area and I've been coming to court."

Later, Moffett said he didn't understand why he was arrested.

"I know you've got nothing to do with this, Judge Balbick, but I didn't possess anything," Moffett said. "The other person had it."

Balbick explained that the state will have to prove its case at a preliminary hearing, but for now he was being arraigned on these charges.

Avant said she's only had a prior disorderly conduct charge, and that she lives with her mother and recently completed Job Corps.

If convicted, Moffett could be sentenced from two to 12 years, according to Gann. Avant's possible sentence is nine years.

Earlier today, Sheriff Gary Maha said there will be a press release forthcoming about the raid at the Days Inn at 12:30 a.m.  At this time, we don't know if any other individuals were involved.

UPDATE 12:30 p.m.: The Sheriff's Office has issued a press release on this case:

Moffett is 25 and a resident of 33 Turner St., Rochester. 

Avant is 22 and a resident of 314 Woodbine St., Rochester.

Members of the Genesee County Local Drug Enforcement Task Force executed a search warrant over night on Room 121 of the Days Inn.  Batavia Police received a tip about crack cocaine sales at the hotel. The Sheriff's Office says more than $1,000 in crack cocaine was found in the search.

Witnesses tell us they saw Batavia Police and Genesee County Sheriff's patrols as well as other vehicles show up in force at the Days Inn in Batavia about 12:30 this morning.

Sheriff Gary Maha confirmed this morning that there was a drug raid at the location in execution of a search warrant, but said no further details are available until later today, when a press release comes out.

The subjects have not been arraigned yet.

Batavia will advance to the next round to play Notre Dame in the annual basketball tournament sponsored by the Batavia Lions Club. The Blue Devils beat Albion 63-55 and improved the team record to 5-1. Andrew Hoy scored 16 points. Justin Washington added 12 points and seven rebounds for Batavia. Co Co Irvin tacked on 13.

More pictures after the jump:

In the first game Monday night of the annual basketball tournament sponsored by the Batavia Lions Club, Notre Dame beat Perry 52-41.  The Irish are now 5-0. Vinny Zambito scored 19 points.

More pictures after the jump:

A Batavia woman is the first person in Western New York charged with an enhanced felony DWI under a new statute that took effect Dec. 18 known as "Leandra's Law."

The law turns a misdemeanor DWI into a felony DWI if children are in the car.

Michelle T. Crawford, 24, was reportedly picked up by State Police in the Town of Marilla in Erie County.

Troopers were alerted Sunday afternoon to a domestic dispute in the Town of West Seneca in which the woman involved drove away with her three children, and she was reportedly agitated and had been drinking. The initial report had her heading back to Batavia.

Shortly after the initial report reached State Police, a trooper spotted a vehicle matching the description of the one that left West Seneca on Clinton Street near Two Rod Road.

Following a traffic stop, Crawford was charged with felony DWI, three counts of endangering the welfare of a child and other traffic offenses. Crawford allegedly refused a breath test.

She was jailed in the Erie County Holding Center on $25,000 bail.

The children, ages 4, 3 and 17 months, were picked up by a relative.

Police now have a suspect in the case of shots fired on Tracy Avenue last Wednesday. It's the same person they've been looking for all along; he's now formally a suspect.

And he's also suspected of stealing a truck from Western NY Concrete on East Main Street prior to the shooting.

The truck was found on Ellicott Avenue about three hours after the shooting, according to Det. Richard Schauf, and police believe it's the same truck used by the alleged shooter on Wednesday. The truck is being checked for evidence.

There's no new information available on the suspect.

Police are also not saying how many shots were fired, just that several hit the car.

Detectives now want to talk to a third person they believe was in the car with the two 18-year-olds mentioned in previous reports. The third person is male and a teenager. He has not made himself available for an interview. It's not believed he was wounded during the attack.

Law enforcement agencies throughout Western New York have been advised to be on the lookout for the shooting suspect.

Police also continue to try and retrace the steps of the occupants of the car in an attempt to further the case.

The condition of a boy hit by a car on Washington Avenue last Wednesday has improved, according to Det. Richard Schauf of the Batavia Police Department.

Thirteen-year-old James Difalco is now listed in stable condition at Buffalo Women's and Children's Hospital, Schauf said this morning.

Difalco sustained a head injury when he reportedly ran into the street and was hit by a car. The driver has not been charged.

Joel Moreles-Cruz, 35, of 13 Jackson St., Apt. 2B, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and unlicensed operation. Moreles-Cruz was stopped by officer Darryle Streeter at 1:54 a.m. on Christmas on Ellicott Street after police received a report that Moreles-Cruz was allegedly driving without a license.

Sharnice S. Gibson, 18, of 21 Wood St., Batavia, is charged with criminal attempt in the 1st degree. Gibson allegedly approached a woman she was barred from contacting and threatened her.

Steven Michael Chauncy, 19, of 10637 Pavilion Center Road, Pavilion, is charged with unlawful dealing with a child in the 1st degree. Chauncy is accused of hosting an under-age drinking party. He was arrested at 2:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Travis G. Hawley, 18, of Bergen, is charged with an alcohol control violation and petit larceny. Hawley was arrested by State Police for an alleged violation on Dec. 4. No further details were released.

Batavia Police are looking into a report that somebody broke into a construction trailer at 16 Bank St. and made himself a pot of coffee.

There is photographic evidence.

The suspect may be a homeless man asked to move along from the Post Office building yesterday.

Nothing, other than some coffee, appears to be missing from the construction trailer.

A 20-year-old driver involved in a 4 a.m. one-vehicle accident in Batavia is in very serious condition at Erie County Medical Center, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

Eslie J. Worthington, III, 20, was driving a 1998 Dodge Ram pickup westbound on Batavia-Oakfield Townline Road when the truck traveled off the south shoulder and struck a culvert.

Worthington was the only person in the truck. He sustained head injuries and was taken to ECMC by Mercy Flight.

The Sheriff Office reports that the investigation is ongoing, but that "alcohol appears to be a factor." Charges are pending.

The investigation is being conducted by Deputy Jason Saile, with deputies Kevin McCarthy and Frank Bordonaro along with investigator Timothy Weis and Sgt. William Scott of the Crash Management Team.

I know its the last week of December and also the year! There is snow on the ground and were tucked between two holidays, Christmas and New Years. We couldn't be any further away from baseball!   This is why it's more important now than ever that we think about our Batavia Muckdogs and the upcoming 2010 season. 

The Rochester Red Wings have been operating the Muckdogs the last two seasons and have stepped up to the plate and will operate the team again in 2010. I say stepped up to the plate because for two seasons the Wings have lost  a lot of money operating the Muckdogs. This is a critical time for our team. The Wings came on board at the last minute a few years ago when we were about to lose our pro team.  They really saved our team.  If Hollywood was involved, they probably couldn't have written a script any better. 'A Small city franchise since 1939 on the brink of losing its only pro team when a neighboring big city franchise saves the team.  Then its a magical year where for the first time in 45 years that small city wins a championship!'  It was a magical season, but  now after two seasons of operating in the "red" , you have to wonder how much longer the Wings can keep the Muckdogs in Batavia!

I have spoken with several people involved with the Red Wings and they all want this to work in Batavia. This is where I ask you, the citizens of Batavia and Genesee County to step up to the plate and support our only professional franchise.  If every business in our area bought just one pair of season tickets, that would be enough to save the team! Just one pair! Its a tax write off for the business and in turn they can use the tickets for their employees and a gift to other businesses they work with.  

A summer night at Dwyer Stadium is so much more then a night out at a baseball game. Dwyer stadium is really the only place left in our County that people can gather together in a community atmosphere and visit with old friends while making new ones. I worked for a small business in Batavia on Main st. for years. I used to hear all the time how our community would gather together on a Saturday night on Main st. and visit with old friends while making new ones! Dwyer stadium is our last place like that!  I can't tell you how much fun the social aspect is at Dwyer!  Also the cost for a family of four sitting together on a summer night outside compared to a night of sitting in the quiet dark movie theater is no contest! The Muckdogs win in price and entertainment every time!

Batavia has had pro ball since 1939. The league we play in was born right here at the Hotel Richmond!  Yes it has grown and moved on to bigger markets like Staten Island, Brooklyn and Aberdeen. How cool is it hat Brooklyn comes to Batavia to play pro ball?  How cool is it that a parent can bring their kids to a game where they can watch future MLB stars in our own backyard?

There are bigger markets that would jump at the chance of having a pro baseball franchise in their city.  We are lucky to still have ours and its up to us, the citizens and businesses of Batavia and Genesee County to hold onto ours!  I hope you consider stopping down to Dwyer in the coming month, the first of 2010, to show Rochester and the New York Penn League that were serious about keeping our franchise for many years to come!

The Batavia Lions Club has purchased a device that helps people with severe eyesight problems see better -- well enough to read a  book or continue with favorite hobbies.

The first person to get to use the device is Tamara Augello of Elba. Augello lost sight in her right eye due to complications from diabetes. While she relies on her left eye to see, that eye has been losing its vision.

The Lions Club has loaned her a $3,300 machine called a Topaz CCTV. It magnifies items, such as books, so that people using the machine can see to read.

Augello also enjoys needlepoint and the machine will help her complete some projects she's been working on.

“Not only can I read any book I choose, but also, my little grandson can sit on my lap while I read him all the books he loves," Augello told the club in a letter.

Half the cost of the machine was covered by a grant from the New York State and Bermuda Lions Foundation MD-20 Grant Program, and the remaining funds for the purchase were raised by local club members.

In a statement, the club said:

We wish Tamara many years of enjoyment as she uses this equipment to again do what she loves. We also encourage local people with special vision needs to contact the Batavia Lions Club. It is our goal to work hard to provide assistance to the visually impaired in our area.