Stories from

Editrudis Zavala-Palacio, 52, is accused of first-degree rape with forcible compulsion stemming from an incident which occurred in 2009 at an upper apartment in the first block of Jackson Street in the City of Batavia. He was arrested this month on July 7 at 5:30 p.m. and arraigned in Batavia City Court. He was put in jail on $200,000 cash, $400,000 bond, or $400,000 partially secured bond. No upcoming court date cited. No information provided about the investigator(s).

Shacerie Rivera, 24, was arrested at July 14 on Liberty Street in Batavia and charged with second-degree criminal assault and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. It is alleged that at 10:23 p.m. July 13 that she cut a person in the arm with a knife; then she is accused of interfering with police as they attempted to take another person into custody. Rivera was arraigned in Batavia City Court and released under the supervision of Genesee Justice. Rivera is due back in court on Aug. 11.

Marquele Tomlin, 30, is charged with second-degree reckless endangerment after a lengthy investigation into a report of an armed robbery at 1 a.m. May 30 on East Avenue in Batavia during which Tomlin was shot. The investigation began about 2:45 the same morning when members of the Batavia Police Department were dispatched to UMMC for a report of a victim with a gunshot wound to the hand. Tomlin stated that he had been shot during a robbery earlier in the night while walking on East Avenue, somewhere between Vine and Elm streets. Police officers, detectives and a canine scoured the area, but were unable to located any evidence of a crime scene. Several other areas of interest through the city were also checked with negative results. Detective Jason Ivison watched hours of security footage and interviewed dozens of people during the course of the investigation. Tomlin is accused of operating a vehicle with a loaded and unholstered firearm on his lap in reckless manner, which caused the firearm to discharge. According to the police report, Tomlin shot himself in the hand and the bullet exited the vehicle in the area of East Avenue and Batavia Middle School, causing a substantial risk of serious physical injury or death to another person. He was released on an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court July 27. There is an ongoing investigation into the vehicle Tomlin was operating that night and a vehicle of interest has been identified. If anyone has information relating to this case, please call Detective Ivison at (585) 345-6312 or through the confidential tip line at www.bataviapolice.org.

Melanie Marrero, 20, is charged with obstruction of governmental administration in the second degree and second-degree harassment. At 10:31 p.m. July 13 on Liberty Street, Marrero was arrested after a complaint that she failed to comply with officer commands, physically resisted arrest and spit on police officers. She was issued an appearance ticket for July 20 in Batavia City Court then released.

Donald Ernest Yott Jr., 32, of Alexander Road, Alexander, is charged with: criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree -- high-capacity ammunition feeding devices; a second count of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree -- an assault weapon; and criminal possession of a firearm. On July 20 at 4:20 p.m. Yott was arrested on the charges and arraigned in Alexander Town Court. The charges stem from a search warrant executed by the Genesee County Sheriff's Office on Sept. 6. Yott was released on his own recognizance and is due back in court Sept. 14. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy James Diehl, assisted by Deputy Andrew Mullen.

Eric Doleman, 51, and Amanda Bowles (no age provided) were arrested and charged with petit larceny. It is alleged that at 9:37 a.m. on July 14 that they took eight pocket knives from a convenience store on East Main Street in Batavia. They are accused of fleeing on foot and were subsequently taken into custody at a separate location. Both were issued appearance tickets and are due in Batavia City Court for arraignment Aug. 3.

Antonio Goodson, 31, is charged with petit larceny. On July 12 at 12:18 p.m., Goodson was arrested for stealing two 30-packs of Budweiser beer from Save-A-Lot in Batavia. He was released on an appearance ticket and was due in Batavia City Court on July 20.

Cynthia M. Gosier, 36, of Maple Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. After an investigation, Gosier was arrested July 17 on suspicion of shoplifting from Walmart. She was issued an appearance ticket returnable to Town of Batavia Court on Aug. 17. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jenna Ferrando, assisted by Deputy Travis DeMuth.

Nicholas O'Connor, 30, is charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle in the third degree. At 11:04 p.m. on July 4, he was arrested for allegedly keeping a vehicle beyond the time frame agreed upon with the owner. He was issued an appearance ticket and is due in Batavia City Court July 27.

A tree trimmer was dangling from a broken white harness while hanging 40 feet in the air. He was clutching onto the bucket of a work truck he was using at 10096 Perry Road, Pavilion.

He is now safely in the bucket, which has been brought down and he denies injury. Pavilion fire and Le Roy's ladder truck were responding but they are standing down. Mercy medics will continue in nonemergency mode to confirm everything's OK.

UPDATE: Reader-submitted photo.

UPDATE: The person who provided the picture asked us to take it down.

Andre L. Roberts is indicted for the crime of assault on a police officer, a Class C violent felony. It is alleged that on Oct. 21 in the Town of Alexander, that Roberts, with intent to prevent a Genesee County Sheriff's deputy from performing a lawful duty, caused serious physical injury to the officer. In count two, Roberts is accused of resisting arrest, a Class A misdemeanor, for intentionally preventing or attempting to prevent a police officer from arresting him or another person.

Robert J. Williams is indicted for the crime of aggravated cruelty of animals, contrary to NYS Agriculture and Markets Law Section 353a(1) -- a felony. On Jan. 14, with no justifiable purpose, Williams is accused of intentionally killing or intentionally causing serious physical injury to a companion animal with aggravated cruelty. In count two, Williams is accused of the same crime involving a second animal. In counts three and four, Williams is accused of fourth-degree criminal mischief, a Class A misdemeanor contrary to Penal Law Section 145.00(1), for intentionally damaging property belonging to another -- to two dogs.

Dejon J. Smith is indicted for the crime of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony. It is alleged that on Feb. 25 in the City of Batavia that Smith knowingly and unlawfully possessed a narcotic drug -- cocaine -- with the intent to sell it. In count two, Smith is indicted for criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree, a Class C felony. It is alleged in count two that on that day, he knowingly and unlawfully possessed one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures or substances containing the narcotic cocaine; these had an aggregated weight of one-eighth ounce or more. In count three, Smith indicted for the crime of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, a Class A misdemeanor, for knowingly and unlawfully possessing a controlled substance -- alprazolam. In count four, Smith is accused of tampering with physical evidence, a Class E felony. It is alleged in count four that Smith, believing certain evidence was about to be produced or used in an official proceeding, intentionally acted to prevent this. He is accused of hiding some cocaine behind a stack of storage container lids in a storage shed while hiding from a uniformed officer who was searching for him. In count five, Smith is indicted for the crime of second-degree obstruction of governmental administration, a Class A misdemeanor. It is alleged in count five, that Smith intentionally obstructed, impaired or perverted the administration of law or other government function by means of intimidation, physical force or an independently unlawful act.

Shane M. VanName is indicted for the crime of first-degree criminal contempt, a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Nov. 1 while in the first block of North Street in the Town of Le Roy VanName violated an order of protection. He is accused of intentionally harassing, annoying, threatening or alarming a protected person, or subjecting the person to physical contact or threatening to do so. In count two, VanName is indicted for second-degree criminal contempt, a Class A misdemeanor. It is alleged in count two that he intentionally disobeyed a court order of protection out of Darien Town Court issued Oct. 23. In count three, is indicted again for second-degree criminal contempt. It is alleged in count three that he intentionally disobeyed a court order out of Darien Town Court to stay away from a second person at the same address on North Street in Le Roy.

Alexander L. Baldwin is indicted for third-degree grand larceny, a Class D felony. It is alleged that between November and December that Baldwin stole property from a couple -- U.S. currency valued at more than $3,000. In count two, Baldwin is accused of the same crime for receiving funds in excess of $3,000 from the couple to perform home improvements, thus creating a trust, and then appled the funds for a purpose other than the trust intended.

Christopher L. Taylor is indicted for the crime of third-degree grand larceny, a Class D felony. It is alleged that on Jan. 16 in the Town of Pembroke that Taylor stole property with a value in excess of $3,000.

Myles D. Macleod is indicted for the crime of aggravated driving while intoxicated, per se, as a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Nov. 27 on Route 77 in the Town of Darien that Macleod rode a 2005 Harley-Davidson motorcycle while he had a BAC of .18 percent or greater. In count two, the defendant is accused of DWI as a Class E felony for operating the motorcycle that day while he was intoxicated. In count three, Macleod is accused of aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree for riding his motorcycle that day in Darien while his driver's license was suspended or revoked by the NYS DMV Commissioner and while he was under the influence of alcohol or a drug. In count five, the defendant is indicted for circumventing a required ignition interlock device, since the motorcycle did not have one. In count five, Macleod is accused of refusing to submit to a breath test. In count six, he is accused of the violation of operating an unregistered motorcycle that day on Route 77. In Special Information filed by Genesee County District Attorney Lawrence Friedman, Macleod is accused of having been convicted of DWI as a Class E felony on Nov. 5, 2014 in Genesee County Court. The conviction forms the basis for the suspension or revocation referred to in the current indictment and it was still in effect on the day of the crimes alleged in the current indictment.

Joel Morales Cruz is indicted for the crime of aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, a Class E felony. It is alleged that on Oct. 25 in the City of Batavia that Cruz drove a 1996 Honda on Oak Street while his driver's license was suspended or revoked by the NYS DMV Commissioner. In count two, Cruz is accused of driving while intoxicated, as a misdemeanor, that day on Oak Street. In count three, Cruz is indicted for DWI, per se, as a misdemeanor. It is alleged in count three, that Cruz drove on Oak Street that day while he had a BAC of .08 percent of more. In Special Information filed by Genesee County District Attorney Lawrence Friedman, Cruz is accused of having been convicted of driving while intoxicated as a misdemeanor on April 22, 2010 in Batavia City Court and the conviction forms the basis for the suspension or revocation referred to in the current indictment and was still in effect.

Two accidents with injuries are reported on the westbound Thruway in the area of mile marker 396.8. A male in a van in the left lane is injured and two children and their mother are also occupants; unknown injuries. A female in a vehicle in the median is also injured.

Three ambulances are called in, including one from Alexander and two Mercy rigs. Pembroke fire is in command and East Pembroke Fire Department is on scene as mutual aid.

UPDATE: 3:30 p.m.: A mother and baby were transported to ECMC. A father and daughter were transported to John. R. Oshei Children's Hospital in Buffalo.

A tree is down and blocking half the roadway in the vicinity of Dublin and Buckman roads in Bethany. There's a phone wire down, too.

Bethany Fire Department is responding and they are in contact with the town highway department. Fire police are also responding with cones and traffic control.

Peyton is a light orange tabby cat -- you know those really friendly, affectionate ones who know no enemies -- and he's been missing about two weeks now.

This ginger has a noticeably notched split on his right ear and no collar.

"He is very loved and missed," laments Jacquie Valder-Phillips about her charge.

Peyton has a miserable mini "Peyton Place" story that Valder-Phillips wants readers to know about.

See, this tomcat had a best bud once, a man who worked at Genesee Valley Farm on South Main Street Road in Batavia for nearly 20 years. Before he died in old age, Peyton trusted him and valued their bro time.

Maybe when the man died a bit of poor Peyton did, too, because he shuffled off and hasn't been seen since. Peyton is prolly pining for his peer who happened to be human.

Makes Valder-Phillips feels guilty because in the time before the farm employee's death, "People kept saying 'Take care of Peyton. ... Be sure to take care of Peyton.' And I'm like 'Of course, I'll take care of Peyton.' And now he's nowhere around."

Here's the kind of feline he is, says Valder-Phillips: once a couple years back a horse trailer pulled over at the farm to load up three horses. When it drove away, they said "Uh oh, where's Peyton?"

Sure enough he had jumped inside the trailer ready for new adventures with the horse trailer driver -- until his stowaway scheme was discovered then back to the farm he went.

If you can help or have seen Peyton, please call or text Valder-Phillips at: (585) 343-5878. Or email:   info@geneseevalleyfarm.com

David James Leroy, 28, of Gabbey Road, Pembroke, is charged with second-degree criminal contempt and trespass. He was arrested July 15 for allegedly violating a stay away order of protection and arraigned in Pembroke Town Court. It is alleged that at 7:42 a.m. on July 10 on Gabbey Road that Leroy violated the order of protection by speaking to his neighbor and trespassing on his property. He was released after arraignment under supervision of Genesee Justice and is due back in Pembroke Town Court on Aug. 11. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy James Stack.

Tracy Marie Pocobello, 48, of Akron Road, Pembroke, is charged with third-degree criminal mischief. At 11:45 p.m. on July 15, she was arrested. It is alleged that at 8:05 p.m. on June 29, she intentionally damaged property belonging to another person. Pocobello was released with an appearance ticket for Pembroke Town Court on Aug. 5. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy David Moore, assisted by Deputy Kyle Krzemien.

Amanda Marie Bowles, 35, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with fourth-degree grand larceny. On July 14 at 4:56 a.m. Bowles was arrested in connection with an incident that occurred at 1 p.m. on July 11 on West Main Street Road in Batavia. She was issued appearance tickets and is due in Batavia Town Court on July 27. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Jacob Gauthier, assisted by Deputy Jonathan Dimmig.

Clyde Davonta Hoskins Jr., 29, of Genesee Street, Buffalo, is charged with: criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree -- a loaded firearm; criminal possession of a stolen property in the fourth degree -- a firearm; and tampering with physical evidence. On Tuesday, July 13, Hoskins was arrested after an investigation into a loaded pistol being located in a chicken coop at midnight on Aug. 8, 2020 on Route 237 in the Town of Stafford. He was arraigned in Stafford Town Court at 1:20 p.m. yesterday and released under supervision of Genesee Justice. He is due to return to Stafford Town Court on Aug. 12. The case was investigated by Genesee County Sheriff's Investigator Kevin P. Forsyth.

Brian Michael Raphael, 33, of East Main Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. At 3:45 p.m. on July 12, Raphael was arrested after being located by Genesee County Sheriff's deputies after fleeing Walmart. He allegedly stole merchandise from the store. He was processed at the jail and released on an appearance ticket. He is due in Town of Batavia Court on July 20. The case was handled by Deputy Kenneth Quackenbush, assisted by Deputy Nicholas Chamoun.

A natural gas line was struck and is leaking during a construction project at Pavilion Elementary School, located at 7071 York Road, Pavilion. RG&E is the caller to dispatch and is responding to the scene. The smell of leaking natural gas is apparent, according to a dispatcher.

UPDATE 1:47 p.m.: "If you want to give them a call back and let them know it's leaking and they're still digging," says a caller to dispatch about the construction crew on site. ... "We shut the road down. We'll just wait for RG&E." Dispatcher's response: "All set with tones."

Wade Jared Murphy, 48, of Francher Road, Clarendon, is charged with: second-degree strangulation; first-degree unlawful imprisonment; and third-degree assault. At 5:35 p.m. on July 12, Genesee County Sheriff's Deputies responded to Sunset Parkway in the Town of Oakfield for a reported physical altercation. After an investigation, Murphy was arrested. The parolee allegedly held a female against her will and strangled her. He was arraigned in Oakfield Town Court and put in GC Jail without bail. Murphy is due in GC Court at a later date, unspecified. The case was handled by Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Erik Andre, assisted by Deputy Nicholas Chamoun.

Mathew W. Ianiro, 26, of Le Roy, is charged with: driving while intoxicated; felony aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle; reckless driving; speeding over 55 mph; operation in violation of conditional license; consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle; and consumption of cannabis in a motor vehicle. A traffic complaint led to Ianiro's arrest on July 9 in the Town of Warsaw. It is alleged he had been forcing other vehicles off the roadway. Wyoming County Sheriff's deputies responded to a report of an erratically driven vehicle that had just entered Route 19 in the Town of Covington. Deputies intercepted the vehicle on Saltvale Road at Burke Hill Road in Warsaw. Following a traffic stop, Ianiro  was found to be the operator and sole occupant. He was also allegedly found to have open bottles of liquor and concentrated cannabis inside his vehicle and it is alleged he exhibited signs of alcohol impairment. The driver was also found to have a NYS Conditional Driver's License from 2020 that was suspended for driving while ability impaired by alcohol. It is alleged he performed poorly on field sobriety tests and he was taken into custody when his vehicle was towed from the scene. He was transported to the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office for a chemical breath analysis. He was arraigned in Warsaw Town Court and his driver's license was suspended. Ianiro was released on his own recognizance in compliance with NYS Bail Reform. The defendant is due back in Warsaw court July 26.

Parker E. Payton, 22, of Pavilion, was arrested July 8 after a traffic stop on Wallace Road in the Town of Covington for having a revoked driver's license. Deputies familiar with Payton stopped him after observing him driving. He has two active revocations and two active suspensions, one of them a revocation due to a conviction for driving while ability impaired by drugs. Payton was arrested roadside and issued an appearance ticket for the charges of: aggravated unlicensed operation in the second degree; aggravated unlicensed operation in the third degree; and unlicensed operation. Payton is due in Town of Covington Court July 26.