Le Roy

A robbery just occurred at the Five Star Bank on Cato Street in Pavilion. The suspect is described as a black male, 5'6" tall, slim build, wearing a blue and white striped shirt, jeans, a red ball cap and sunglasses. He told the teller he had a gun, but one was not shown. He fled the bank on foot and his direction of travel is unknown. Several law enforcement units are on their way to the scene.

UPDATE 3:43 p.m.: They are going to set up a perimeter to scour for the suspect. Patrols on the interstate highways are alerted as well as those traveling other routes, so are Wyoming and Livingston counties.

UPDATE 3:47 p.m.: They are going to ask Livingston County to send in its canine unit and are also checking the availability of the one in Genesee County. Officers are now interviewing neighbors to determine whether the suspect got into a vehicle and, if so, to provide a description of it.

UPDATE 3:50 p.m.: The canine unit from Livingston County is en route. A neighbor told officers that she saw the suspect get into a vehicle parked at the adjacent St. Mary's Church and there was another black male driving the car. The car's wheels squeeled out of the parking lot and the witness "was so shocked she doesn't remember anything (else)." They are going to check all the streets in the vicinity of the church and along Route 63. A pizzeria in the area had a security camera on and they are going to check it.

UPDATE 3:56 p.m.: "It appears they took off in the car pretty quickly." The suspects are estimated to be in their mid- to late 20s. The canine unit from Genesee County is not available.

UPDATE 3:59 p.m.: The camera by a nearby ATM machine is being screened to glean possible information.

UPDATE 4:04 p.m.: After speaking with a woman in the area, they are looking for a full-sized, silver-colored pickup truck with a regular cab. The witness saw it shortly before she was telephoned about the robbery and it was parked by the basketball courts by St. Mary's.

UPDATE 4:31 p.m.: Wyoming County authorities are reporting that they found a green car roadside (didn't catch which road) and the engine is still running, but no one is around it. They are checking the plates. It is unknown if this is related to the robbery or just an odd circumstance.

UPDATE 4:35 p.m.: They are saying the abandoned vehicle found with its motor running is a green pickup truck car. It's in the vicinity of Crossman and Starr roads, "by a trestle" in Wyoming County. 

UPDATE 4:38 p.m.: The license plates come back to a Le Roy resident, born in 1934, and there's no (telephone) answer at the owner's residence. Again, this may be completely unrelated to the robbery.

UPDATE 4:53 p.m.: Now they are checking on another matter, saying it's unknown whether related to the robbery. A person is going door to door in the area of 10982 S. Lake Road (Route 19) in Pavilion asking for gasoline. The caller could not provide a description of the person because of poor vision.

The Local Drug Enforcement Task Force announced the arrest of 11 people on various drug-related charges stemming from three different enforcment actions by task force members.

Curtis M. Gallagher, 27, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of marijuana and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. Gallagher was arrested following the execution of a search warrant March 30 on his vehicle and residence. Gallagher was allegedly found in possession of a quantity of marijuana and a quantity of hydrocodone along with some drug paraphernalia. Gallagher was issued an appearance ticket.

On Saturday, the task force arrested five people who were allegedly using a hotel room "for the purpose of abusing crack cocaine," according to the press release. Upon raiding the room, investigators allegedly found a quantity of crack cocaine and buprenorphine hydrochloride. Taken into custody and jailed on $1,000 bail each were Pamela A. Adamski, 28, of Walnut Street, Batavia; Jodi L. Reed, 40, of South Pearl Street Road, Oakfield; Heather J. Nadolny, 28, of East Main Street, Batavia; Nicholas J. Volpe, 40, of Edwards Street, Batavia; and, Timothy J. Walsh, 44, of Redfield Parkway, Batavia.

Over a two-day period, March 21 and March 22, members of the task force along with uniformed deputies and police officers from Batavia and Le Roy, conducted a number of traffic stops. Along with citations issued, the following people were charged with drug-related offenses:

• Nick Hawkins, 28, of Market Street, Brockport, and Seth Fisher, 24, of Asbury Road, Le Roy, were charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.
• Alex Cordero, 24, of Avenue D, Rochester, was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.
• Phillip Ayala, 27, of Melville Street, Rochester, was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.
• Douglas Brown, 29, of East Main Street, Corfu, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.
• Pamela A. Adamski, 28, of Walnut Street, Batavia, and Dajuandrick Gardner, 35, of East Avenue, Batavia, are both charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th.  Adamski and Gardner were allegedly found in possession of cocaine. Gardner was also charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

Press release:

A last-minute trip to the grocery store for a package of hoagie rolls proved to be a life-changing moment for Carol Pursel of Le Roy. On the way out of store, the 57-year-old mother of two caught a glimpse of the new The Color of Money scratch-off ticket in the store’s lottery vending machine. Pursel, the officer manager at her husband’s auto repair shop in Limerock, decided to try her luck on the new ticket.

“I scratched it in my car and saw that I had a match on the Jackpot amount,” recalled Pursel. “I ignored it thinking maybe it was a mistake, but then I figured I should go back in the store and check.”

Pursel took her ticket to the Customer Service counter where they verified it was a $1,000,000 winner.

“I asked them, “So what do I do now?’ ”

Pursel matched the number 29 on the upper and lower sections of her The Color of Money scratch-off game, making the working mom the first lottery player statewide to win the $1,000,000 top prize. The $5 game went on sale March 6.

Pursel purchased her winning ticket on March 12 at the Tops Markets on West Main Street in Le Roy. She claimed it at the lottery’s Customer Service Center in Rochester on March 15.

“I put off claiming it until I had a chance to talk to my accountant to prioritize where the money will go.”

The top prize on the lottery’s The Color of Money scratch-off is paid as $50,000 a year for 20 years. Pursel will receive a net check totaling $33,090 through 2031.

“My daughter is getting married this summer, so some will go toward that,” said Pursel when asked about her plans for the prize. “It will certainly come in handy all around.”

Amy Lynne Koch, 37, of Route 98, Alexander, is charged with grand larceny, 3rd, and petit larceny. Koch is accused of using information of her estranged boyfriend, who is incarcerated in state prison, to file both state and federal income tax forms. Koch allegedly created a bank account in both of their names so any tax refund money could be deposited in the account. Once the money was deposited, Koch allegedly withdrew the funds.

Timothy S. DiSalvo, 51, of 106 North St., Batavia, is charged with strangulation, 2nd, and two counts of harassment, 2nd. DiSalvo was allegedly involved in a fight with a family member at their business location on Harvester Avenue, Batavia. DiSalvo is accused of choking another person and shoving a female employee who tried to intervene to stop the fight.

Cheryl Lynn Vanelli, 52, of 2101 Main Road, Pembroke, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 and failure to keep right. Vanelli was stopped at 2:42 a.m, Jan. 21, on Boyce Road, by Deputy Kevin McCarthy. Vanelli will be arraigned in Pembroke Town Court on April 17.

Veshaun D. Thomas Sr., 34, of 110 Bank St., Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd, and suspended registration. Thomas was stopped at 2:40 a.m. Sunday by Officer Marc Lawrence.

Kyle David McNutt, 21, of Route 238, Warsaw, is charged with petit larceny. McNutt is accused of shoplifting $24.99 in merchandise from Kmart.

Gina Marie Glor, 18, of Route 238, Warsaw, is charged with petit larceny. Glor is accused of shoplifting $24.99 in merchandise from Kmart.

Sandra Lynn Cassford, 29, of South Main Street, Castile, is charged with petit larceny and unlawful possession of marijuana. Cassford was arrested on a warrant stemming from alleged events on Dec. 22. She was jailed on $200 bail.

Peter Joseph Gravante, 23, of Townline Road, Byron, was arrested on a warrant for driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Gravante was taken into custody on a warrant out of Town of Batavia Court by NYSP in Monroe County and turned over to the Sheriff's Office.

Ryan Douglas Woodward, 22, of Vallance Road, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to reduce speed for a curve, moving from lane unsafely and leaving the scene of a property damage accident. Woodward was allegedly involved in a motor vehicle accident while intoxicated on Route 19, Bergen, at 2:45 a.m. on Feb. 26.

The move from San Diego to Le Roy has been a good one for David Luetticke and Greg Luetticke.

More than four years ago, they bought the Frost Ridge Campground and have been slowly making improvements, all the while, feeling they made the right choice in moving to Genesee County.

"I think it's beautiful," Greg said. "I like the people, the scenery, the change of seasons. It's everything I wanted."

While David and Greg have made changes in the campground -- upgrading infrastructure, adding an annual pumpkin patch and a summertime slippery slide on one of the hills, for example -- the biggest change has been booking more than a half-dozen big-name music acts into their outdoor amphitheater.

The summer concert season kicks off June 9 with one of the biggest names in country music, Aaron Tippin.

The line up (all shows and dates -- and tickets purchased -- can be found on frostridge.com) includes the Little River Band, Restless Heart, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Blackberry Smoke, James Wesley and Connie Smith.

It's the third year of concerts -- one of the highlights last summer was Marty Stuart -- and besides the seven name acts coming to Frost Ridge, 45 bands from throughout Western New York will perform there is summer.

Greg admitted he never heard of Blackberry Smoke before (neither had I, videos embedded below), but he said it's been the fastest selling show so far and after selling out of VIP tickets, they pulled back the promo VIP tickets given to radio stations and have just six left to offer to the public.

The current arrangement of the amphitheater accommodates 5,000 people, but three's a high hill behind the seating area and maybe, just maybe, that offers some expansion room. The sound of the music on the hill is every bit as good as down lower, Greg and David agreed.

As Greg and David get settled into Le Roy, they're getting more involved in the community. For a couple of years now, Frost Ridge has hosted a fundraiser for the Le Roy Volunteer Fire Department.  This year, some of the proceeds of the Aaron Tippin concert will be donated to the VA facility in Batavia.

"We see it as good business when when you're involved in the community and everybody supports one another, and that's how we would like to live our lives," David said.

I'm looking forward to the The Dirt Band in August.

In Le Roy this afternoon, the line of trees with their white flowers looked particularly nice against the backdrop of the buildings of the village business district.

Nearly two years after the alleged events, a Brockport man is being accused of stealing an SUV and some credit cards.

Frank Edward Finnin, 45, of Vindale Drive, Brockport, was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court on Thursday on charges of grand larceny, 3rd, and grand larceny, 4th.

Finnin is accused of stealing a 2004 Ford Escape from a location on Batavia Stafford Townline Road, Stafford, on June 20.

He is also accused of taking a purse containing credit cards from a vehicle that was parked in a residential driveway on East Main Road, Batavia, on the same date.

The Escape was recovered in Le Roy, not far from Finnin's residence at the time.

Following arraignment, Finnin was jailed on $10,000 bail.

The case was conducted by investigators William Ferrando and John Dehm.

Amanda Marie Putnam, 25, of Selden Road, Le Roy, is charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Putnam is accused of using her landlord's vehicle without permission and then being involved in a motor vehicle accident while driving the vehicle.

Jonathan Paul Bouter, 28, of Oak Orchard Road, Elba, is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, 3rd. Bouter was arrested on a warrant for the charge out of Corfu Village Court. He was jailed on $500 cash or $5,000 bond.

With supportive friends and family in the courtroom, and a letter of support from an officer of the law he assaulted, 22-year-old Craig A. Tiberio-Shepherd, was given a second chance in county court today.

Tiberio-Shepherd, facing up to four years in prison, was sentenced to five years probation by Judge Robert C. Noonan.

Previously, Tiberio-Shepherd admitted to assault, 3rd, criminal possession of a controlled substance, 4th, and felony DWI.

Twice -- in July and in November -- Tiberio-Shepherd appeared before the judge with Noonan prepared to send the Le Roy resident to state prison. But those sentencing hearings were delayed and Tiberio-Shepherd continued on in substance-abuse programs, enrolled in college and held down a job.

"The significance in not sending you to state prison tells me that you've climbed a very, very high hurdle to be here today and be in a position to get probation," Noonan said.

A member of the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force who suffered minor injuries in a scuffle with Tiberio-Shepherd in April initially told the court the young man should be sent to prison, but after meeting with Tiberio-Shepherd the detective wrote to Noonan and said he supported the recommendation for probation.

Tiberio-Shepherd has been attending Genesee Community College and getting good grades. He plans to enroll at Buffalo State University in the fall.

Noonan also received letters of support from several people in the community and the pre-sentence report by Genesee Justice recommended probation.

In all, Tiberio-Shepherd was sentenced to five years probation each on the drug charge and the DWI conviction, and  three years probation on the assault.

He faces repayment of fines and restitution, plus his driver's license was revoked.

"I've noticed he hasn't gotten all cocky about his treatment progress and he seems to accept the fact that this is something he is going to have to work hard doing for a long period of time, which is not only sobriety, but criminal-free living, which he intends to do," said his attorney, Thomas Burns.

In a brief statement to the court, Tiberio-Shepherd, thanked Noonan for the chance to turn his life around.

A Le Roy man accused in March 2010 of manufacturing methamphetamine using a potentially dangerous process is facing up to 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty Monday.

Nicholas P. Sadwick, 24, of 345 Sandybrook Drive, Le Roy, entered a guilty plea in federal court to unlawful possession of materials which may be used to unlawfully manufacture a controlled substance.

At the time of his arrest, Sadwick admitted to police that he was attempting to manufacture crystal methamphetamine via a “one pot” method.

Investigators, after executing a search warrant on his home and vehicle, found a baggie and mason jar which contained a clear liquid that was found to contain methamphetamine.

Outside the residence, officers seized discarded lithium batteries, old cold medicine boxes and “Icy Hot” packs which had been ripped open.

Federal authorities said these items are common materials used in the production and clandestine manufacture of methamphetamine.

Additionally officers seized a “Mountain Dew” bottle with a hole in the cap with plastic tubing coming out of the hole likely used as a gas generator and is used in an essential step in making meth.

A year ago, Deputy Chief Jerome Brewster characterized the method being used by Sadwick and his alleged partner was "particularly danagerous."

Sentencing is scheduled for 12:30 p.m., July 2, in Buffalo.

Stafford Fire Department is extinguishing an apparent controlled burn at 6505 Prentice Road, Le Roy.

A first responder reported, "It looks like somebody went to lunch," and reported finding a can of oil, matches and a rake.

The call came in as a grass fire. First responders reported finding a hedgerow fire.

A chief informs dispatch that the homeowner has been advised of the open burn law.

UPDATE 1:29 p.m.: A chief tells dispatch, "The homeowner is arguing with us that agriculture is exempt from burning laws." The fire is out except for a couple of smoldering spots. Stafford is back in service.

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Jason William Wolf, 36, of Hutchins Street, Batavia, is charged with felony DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater, unlicensed operator and aggravated unlicensed operation, 1st. Deputy Kevin McCarthy was reportedly on routine patrol in the Village of Corfu at 3:51 a.m. Sunday when he observed a vehicle pulling randomly into driveways. Wolf was arrested following further investigation.

Jessica M. Miller, 18, of South Pearl Street, Oakfield, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Miller is accused of hitting another person during a dispute.

Evan Ryan Anderson, 30, of 2832 Pearl St. Road, Batavia, is charged with operating while ability impaired by drugs. Officer Darryle Streeter responded to a report at 3:43 a.m. Saturday of a person passed out behind the wheel of a car with its engine running at 419 W. Main St. Anderson was allegedly found at the wheel of the car.

Daniel Jeffrey McGiveron, 26, Phelps Road, Basom, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th. During an unrelated investigation at 9:50 p.m. Saturday in Oakfield, McGiveron was allegedly found in possession of suboxone. Deputy Brian Thompson was assisted by K-9 "Pharoah."

Jessie Lee Jackson, 27, of Byron Holley Road, Byron, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th, and harassment, 2nd. Jackson was reportedly involved in a domestic incident in which he allegedly struck a vehicle with a skateboard and hit a person in the side of the head with his hand. Jackson was jailed on $800 bail.

Alexandra R. Wood, 21, of 8193 McCall Road, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, unsafe start and failing to yield the right of way. Wood was stopped at 2:14 a.m. Friday on Myrtle Street by Sgt. Michael Hare. Wood allegedly refused to submit to a breath test.

A caller reports seeing flames and smoke in the area of 8993 Asbury Road.

A chief already on seen reports a possible large controlled burn at a property on East Main Road.

Le Roy firefighters will respond and put out the fire.

UPDATE 2:54 p.m.: A homeowner on East Main Road was advised of the open burn law and the fire department will put out the fire.

UPDATE 3:56 p.m.: The hydrant used at this incident now won't shut off. Monroe County Water notified. A chief reports it's cause a bit of a traffic problem on Route 5.

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Two youths are reportedly shooting geese in Oatka Creek with a pellet gun from the creek bank off Munson Street in Le Roy. Some birds have been killed or injured and are floating downstream. Le Roy police are responding.

A caller to dispatch has reported a "suspicious condition" in Le Roy -- two people taking random pictures of the village.

The caller said the two people have been in the village since at least 11 a.m. taking pictures all over the village of things such as buildings and street signs.

Apparently, the caller spoke with the two people and they said they were reporters from France.

That seems to be the straw that broke the camel's back and prompted the call.

A Le Roy police officer confirmed seeing people take pictures of a statue in the village and wanted to know if the photographers had been seen on private property.

No report of trespassing.

The officer will attempt to make contact, but didn't sound confident of finding criminal activity.

UPDATE 7 p.m.: The officer made contact. The photographers are from Pennsylvania and are taking pictures to post to Facebook. "Nothing suspicious," the officer reports.

A caller on Church Street, Le Roy, reported seeing a possible fire behind her residence, telling dispatchers she could see a large red glow.

Le Roy Fire responded and chiefs report finding a bonfire with people in the area.

The department's brush fire truck is responding to deal with it.

UPDATE 10:14 p.m.: One chief informs another that the people with the fire recently relocated to the area and were unaware of the open burn regulations.

UPDATE 10:20 p.m.: Fire is out. Le Roy back in service.

The family of a man who died following an accident at the Jell-O Museum in Le Roy has filed a lawsuit in federal court.

Frank P. LaMont Jr., reportedly died after his wheel chair fell through the back of the handicap access lift at the museum. The fall was three feet, but his head hit the concrete.

Named in the suit are the United States of America, the Le Roy Historical Society, The Safety and Access Co. Inc. (the company that serviced the lift) and Ikeco Inc. (the company that sold and installed the lift).

LaMont was a resident of Canandaigua Veterans Affairs Medical Center at the time of the accident in October 2010.

Sophia LaMont, his daughter, previously filed a claim for $500,000 with the Department of Veterans Affairs. The claim was denied.

(Source: Democrat & Chronicle)

Mason Dumbleton, 20, of Pavilion, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, unsafe speed, unsafe lane change and unlawful possession of marijuana. Dumbleton was reportedly involved in a motor-vehicle accident on Route 20A in the Town of Perry at 10:30 p.m., Saturday. Dumbleton's vehicle reportedly left the south side of the road, struck a driveway culvert and a utility pole causing it to go airborne. The car landed on its roof. Dumbleton reportedly suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene.

Daniel Norman Brown, 39, of Lake Street, Le Roy, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Brown is accused of placing a phone call to a person he is barred from contacting. Brown was also arrested the day before, on Sunday, and charged with harassment, 2nd. Brown was accused of grabbing a woman and pushing her down.

Enoch Ronald Cole, 61, of Lake Street Road, Le Roy, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Cole allegedly punched another person in the back.

Kevin James Hodge, 28, of Valley View Drive, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Hodge is accused of stealing $66.21 in merchandise from Kmart.

Kathryn Ann Tordy, 45, of Sheriden Drive, Williamsville, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, improper left turn and failure to keep right. Tordy was stopped at 12:34 a.m. Saturday on Remsen Road, Pembroke, by Deputy Kevin McCarthy.

Daniel Jay Balduf, 20, of Angling Road, Pembroke, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and insufficient tail lamps. Balduf was stopped at 3:35 a.m. Saturday on Angling Road by Deputy Kevin McCarthy.

Danielle Marie Stevens, 35, of Ford Road, Elba, is charged with criminal trespass, 2nd. Stevens allegedly entered and remained unlawfully in a hotel room.

Jill Ann Fulater, 59, of Shepard Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI, driving left of pavement markings and improper right turn. Fulater as stopped by Deputy Kevin McCarthy at 4:20 a.m. Sunday on Route 63, Batavia, following a complaint of an erratic driver.

Timothy Ryan McJury, 24, of Madison Street, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant for petit larceny. McJury was arraigned in Town of Batavia Court. McJury was arrested on a city court warrant for parking violations. McJury was jailed on $1,000 bail.

A 17-year-old resident of Warboys Road, Byron, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, speeding (75 mph in a 55 mph zone) and driving on a junior license (state Class DJ) after 9 p.m. and driving on a DJ license with two or more passengers under age 21. The youth was stopped at 1:13 a.m. Sunday on Buffalo Road, Bergen, by Deputy Timothy Weis.