Oakfield

A car has reportedly run into a house at 60 Drake St., Oakfield.

The reported operator of the vehicle is a 6-year-old girl.

No injuries are reported. The girl is reported to be walking back to her father's house.

UPDATE 11:43 p.m.: No citations. No arrests. No injuries. Minimal damage. The 6-year-old apparently found her father's keys, sneaked out of the house, got in the car and left with the intention of going to her mother's house. She headed south down Irving Parkway and failed to negotiate a turn at Drake Street, heading straight into the yard of the house on the south side of the street. Her father's sedan knocked over a mailbox. A trooper on scene said, "Thank God there was no east or west traffic (on Drake Street) or we would have had a much worse situation." He said there wasn't any indication that the father was negligent in order to support a charge such as "endangering the welfare of a child."

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Valjean Charles Burns, 65, of North Pearl Street, Oakfield, is charged with forcible touching. Burns is accused of forcibly touching the intimate parts of a female Dec. 8.  An order of protection was issued.

Jesse Sumner Repass, 25, of Pine Street, Oakfield, is charged with petit larceny and trespass. Repass is accused of stealing aluminum from Allen Foods, Inc., on Stevens Street, Oakfield.

Rosemary R. Waters, 25, of 139 Bank St., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Waters is accused of shoplifting from Dollar General on East Main, Batavia.

Charlene Olivia Leubner, 34, of Bradnell Avenue, Le Roy, is charged with criminal contempt, 2nd. Leubner was allegedly found sitting in a car talking with a person protected by court order from contact by Leubner.

An accident is reported in Oakfield. A car struck the Wilson Farms Market building. There are believed to be no injuries. The store is located at 25 S. Main St. Sheriff's deputies are on location.

Stephen Irvine Stone (photo), 45, of South Lake Street, Bergen is charged with sodomy, 1st, rape, 1st and criminal sexual act, 1st. Stone is accused of engaging in oral sexual conduct with a six-year-old girl in 1997 and 1998. Stone is accused of engaging in sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl by forcible compulsion in 2004. Stone is accused of engaging in sexual intercourse with a 16-year-old girl by forcible compulsion in 2008. Stone was arraigned in Le Roy Town Court and jailed on $100,000 bail.

Gene Douglas Snyder, 30, of Orchard Street, Oakfield, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Snyder is accused of subjecting another person to unwanted physical contact.

Travis Lavern Schossow, 25, of West Main Street Road, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt, 1st, endangering the welfare of a child and harassment, 2nd. Schossow is accused of pushing his girlfriend into a dresser, allegedly violating a no-offense conduct order out of City of Batavia Court. Schossow is also accused of throwing a plastic cigarette case at a wall. The case reportedly bounced off a wall and struck a 12-year-old child in the neck causing a scratch. Schossow was jailed on $2,000 bail. A stay-away order was issued for the alleged victim and her child.

Eight people are charged with burglary in the third degree following an investigation into a July 17 break-in at Oakfield-Alabama High School.

The eight people are accused of entering two vending machines and removing nearly all of their contents.

Charged were Jamie R. Bachorski, 17, of Webber Avenue, Oakfield; Mark A. McNutt, 17, of Webber Avenue, Oakfield; Corey J. Mooney, 18, of Lockport Road, Oakfield; Roosevelt Little Jr., 20, of Fisher Road, Oakfield; Darryle W. Stamp Jr., 22, of Hellert Road, Shelby; Duty E. Caswell, 20, of South Pearl Street, Oakfield, and Kevin M. Waleski, 23, of Church Street, Basom.

A girl was also charged as a juvenile offender but her name was not released.

All of the suspects, except Waleski, were arraigned in Oakfield Town Court and released under their own recognizance. Waleski, who was arrested recently on a grand larceny charge, was jailed on $5,000 bail.

The investigation was conducted by Juvenile Officer John Dehm and Investigator Timothy Weis with assistance from Investigator Kris Kautz, Deputy Chris Parker, Deputy Nathan Balduf, Deputy Chad Minuto and Deputy Kevin McCarthy.

Barbara Ann Vaughn, 34, of East Robinson Road, Amherst, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs, aggravated unlicensed operation and failure to keep right. Vaughn was stopped at 4:10 p.m. Thursday on Genesee Street, Pembroke, by Deputy Patrick Reeves following a report of an erratic driver. Vaughn was found to allegedly have consumed prescribed medication.

Sandra Lynn Cassford, 29, of South Main Street, Castile, is charged with petit larceny and unlawful possession of marijuana. Cassford is accused of shoplifting from Kmart.

Ashley Elizabeth Quintern, 22, of South Pearl Street, Oakfield, is charged with petit larceny. Quintern is accused of stealing $21 in merchandise from Kmart.

Craig Daniel Martin, 27, of Morton Avenue, Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, 7th, unlawful possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance not in its original container, aggravated unlicensed operation, 2nd, and unlicensed operation. Martin was stopped on Jackson Street, Batavia, at 1:09 a.m. Saturday by Deputy Patrick Reeves for alleged traffic violations. Martin was allegedly found in possession of two types of controlled substances and a quantity of marijuana concealed in his vehicle.

Brittany Megan Hart, 24, of Warsaw Road, Le Roy, is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and possession of a hypodermic instrument. Hart was charged following a traffic stop for alleged violations at 11 p.m. Sunday on Jackson Street, Batavia, by Deputy Brad Mazur.

Daniel John Hickey, 33, of Sherwood Drive, Brockport, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Hickey was stopped at 1:22 a.m., Saturday on Route 262 in Elba by Deputy James Diehl.

Nicholas Keith Thorne, 23, of Osborne Road, Mt. Sterling, is charged with criminal mischief, 2nd. Thorne allegedly smashed a glass door and window at the Econo Lodge on Route 77, Corfu. Thorne was jailed on an unspecified amount of bail.

Dennis P. Schroeder, 54, of Cotton Hill Road, Attica, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and inadequate exhaust. Schroeder was stopped at 7:40 p.m. Dec. 15 on Tinkhem Road, Darien, by Deputy Jason Saile.

Nicholas M. Worrells, 24, of 10253 Roosevelt Highway, Lyndonville, is charged with criminal contempt. Worrells was allegedly found hiding under the rear deck of a residence on East Main Street, Le Roy, after police responded to a report of a disturbance. Worrells was allegedly with a person at the residence in violation of a complete stay-away order. Worrells was jailed on $5,000 bail.

Dayton G. Schultz, 52, Maltby Road, Oakfield, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of. 08 or greater and driving left of pavement markings. Schultz was stopped at 10:35 p.m. Friday on Route 262, Elba, by Sgt. Greg Walker.

Eric Matthew Kingsley, 24, of Perry Road, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and illegal parking on a highway. Kingsley was arrested by Deputy Jason Saile following a report of a vehicle fire at 4:48 a.m., Saturday, on Ellicott Street Road, Bethany.

Jeremy John Haynes, 35, of Church Street, Le Roy, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and speeding. Haynes was stopped at 11:27 p.m. Friday on East Main Street, Le Roy, by Deputy Eric Seppala.

Brent Michael Semmier, 36, of Cypress Street, Rochester, is charged with felony DWI, speeding (90 in 55 mph zone), alcohol consumption in a motor vehicle and improper right turn. Semmier was stopped at 4:29 p.m. Sunday on Route 19, Le Roy, by Deputy Brad Mazur.

A landing zone for Mercy Flight out of Batavia is going to be set up in a pasture off Lockport Road in Oakfield to transport a possible stroke victim to the hospital. One fire engine out of Oakfield is responding to set up the landing site. Mercy EMS is also responding.

UPDATE 5:12 p.m.: Mercy Flight has landed.

A motor-vehicle accident with injury is reported at 7381 Fisher Road in Oakfield. One person is complaining of a shoulder injury.

The location is "just before the curve" between Lewiston Road and Drake Street.

Oakfield Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

Update 6:09 p.m.: An official on scene says responders can come to the scene in non-emergency mode.

UPDATE 6:21 p.m.: This must be a pile-up since a Sheriff's Deputy is reporting to dispatch that there are six vehicles involved, but not all of them are damaged.

UPDATE 6:36 p.m.: Oakfield fire is back in service.

Gail Patricia Rumble, 47, of North Pearl Street, Oakfield, is charged with identity theft. Rumble is accused of using another person's identity to secure services illegally.

David L. Andrews, 24, of 19 Holland Ave., Batavia, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property, 5th. Andrews is accused of possessing a license plate stolen from a local business.

Jeffrey L. Deats, 25, of 10 Olyn Ave., Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Deats is accused of threatening another family member.

Todd Steven Logsdon, 21, of Otis Street, Batavia, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. Logsdon was apprehended at about 8 p.m., Oct. 21, following a report of a suspicious condition on Route 63 in Batavia. Logsdon was found by Deputy Brad Mazur to be allegedly operating a motor vehicle in an intoxicated condition.

Mercy Flight is being dispatched the Oakfield Fire Hall for a possible stroke victim.

The call started as elderly woman on South Pearl Street who fell several feet off a ladder and struck her head. When medics arrived, they diagnosed a possible stroke.

UPDATE: The woman was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital via Mercy Flight.

A car-into-pole, rollover accident is reported in the Village of Oakfield at Maple Avenue and Albert Street. "The subject is out of the vehicle." Oakfield Fire Department and Mercy medics are responding.

UPDATE 2:52 p.m.: Mercy medics are told to stand down respond nonemergency. Deputies are en route to the scene.

UPDATE 3:09 p.m.: Medics are transporting the 25-year-old male driver to UMMC. He is said to have some chest discomfort and left shoulder pain. His car landed on its roof and a flatbed tow-truck is coming to haul it away. The pole was not damaged but the guide wire is a little tweaked.

Oscar Donaldo Ramirez-Castanon, 33, of Lewiston Road, Batavia, is charged with forcible touching. Ramirez-Castanon is accused of grabbing the breasts of a woman and trying to kiss her against her will. Ramirez-Castanon is currently jailed on a rape, 1st, charge.

Lori E. Connolly, 54, of 8819 Batavia Stafford Townline Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI and unsafe lane change. Connolly was stopped at 7:42 p.m., Monday, on East Main Street, Batavia, by Officer Kevin DeFelice.

Rachel Emma Pitz, 19, of Market Street, Attica, is charged with petit larceny. Pitz is accused of stealing $67.49 worth of merchandise from Kmart. 

Ashley Marie Budziszewski, 25, of Broadway Street, Oakfield, is charged with petit larceny. Budziszewski is accused of stealing $40.45 worth of merchandise from Kmart. 

Stephen Theron Ferry, 20, of Knowlesville Road, Oakfield, is charged with trespass. Ferry is accused of trespassing on Allen Foods property.

Jason Lee Cramer, 27, of Central Avenue, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Cramer is accused of shoplifting from Kmart.

Lamar Ateef Randall, 26, East Park Street, Albion, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Randall was taken into custody on a warrant issued by Batavia City Court. Upon a search during his arrest, Randall was allegedly found in possession of marijuana.

Kurt Hamilton Hawkins Jr., 18, of State Street, Batavia, is charged with assault, 2nd. Hawkins, an inmate at the Genesee County Jail, is accused of assaulting another inmate at 4:26 p.m., Thursday. The alleged victim was treated at ECMC where he was held overnight for observation.

Sandra Louis Chilano, 51, of Dodgeson Road, Alexander, is charged with petit larceny. Chilano is accused of stealing $100 while employed at Alexander Deli as a clerk.

Ryan Christopher Riggi, 16, of Ridge Road, Lyndonville, was arrested on a warrant issued by Batavia City Drug Court. Riggi was jailed on $100,000 bail.

Samual Christopher Dilcher, 28, of Lewiston Road, Oakfield, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Dilcher was arrested following a complaint of harassment at 2:10 a.m., Sunday on Park Road in Batavia.

Samual Christopher Dilcher, 28, of Lewiston Road, Oakfield, is charged with criminal mischief 4th. Dilcher is accused of smashing the driver-side window out of a pickup truck during an argument at a location on Park Road, Batavia. He is is also charged with trespass. Dilcher was allegedly involved in an incident Nov. 20 in the Batavia Downs parking lot. Upon further investigation Deputy Joseph Graff came to believe that Dilcher had been previously banned from Batavia Downs property.

Christopher Jordan Rhodes, 41, of Transit Road, Wyoming, is charged with DWI, aggravated DWI and failure to keep right. Rhodes was stopped at 2:01 a.m., Sunday, on Lewiston Road, Batavia, by Sgt. Brian Frieday.

Zachary Michael Rebert, 20, of South Pearl Street, Oakfield, is charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, 2nd, and harassment, 2nd. Rebert is accused of getting into a domestic dispute with a woman, pushing her several times and then taking her car without her consent. Rebert was jailed on $5,000 bail.

John Edward Bird, 70, of Barrville Road, Elba, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to stop at a stop sign, moving from lane unsafely and driving left of pavement markings. Bird was stopped at 9:43 P.M., Saturday, on Chapel Road, Byron, by Deputy Jason Saile.

There was no dispute at the Village of Oakfield trustee meeting Monday that the village has seen an uptick in crime in recent months.

There was also no clear indication on what trustees, or village residents, think should be done about it.

Mayor Richard Pastecki called the meeting a fact-finding session.

Chief Deputy Gordon Dibble (lower inset photo) attended the meeting to provide information on options from the Genesee County Sheriff's Office -- ranging from a full-time, Oakfield-dedicated deputy to a part-time, extra patrol similar to one used for the Village of Bergen.

"We've had a lot more problems out here, there's no doubt about that," Dibble said. "Over last several months there has been a lot of activity up here, and I don't think that's a surprise to anybody who is here."

About eight village residents attended the meeting.

Jeremy Yasses (top inset photo), one of the chief proponents of increasing Sheriff's patrols in the village, said something needs to be done about the increase in crime and extra patrols make the most sense to him.

"We have a local problem," Yasses said. "We have a big local problem in the village and ignoring it won't make it go away. There is a group in the village that is constantly causing problems."

Heroin, Yasses said, is a big part of the local crime problem.

Yasses said he thinks the only logical solution is an increase in Oakfield-dedicated patrols, and while he stopped short of advocating for a full-time deputy in Oakfield -- like the village had a decade ago -- he did float a proposal to tax village property an extra $36 per year to raise $25,000 for a part-time patrol.

"I’m not looking to raise taxes, but I know, just for me, I’ll give up a few extra coffees per year just to have some extra patrols," Yasses said.

Mike Cianfrini, the Town of Oakfield supervisor, also attended the meeting but said he didn't support spending money on extra patrols.

"I'm adamantly opposed to the idea," Cianfrini said. "Nobody disputes that there is an increase in crime, but this is simply a knee-jerk reaction.

"It’s a feel-good measure," Cianfrini added. "If I thought if it would solve the problem, I’d be the first one sitting with Jeremy saying we’ve got to do this, but bringing in an extra road patrol for four hours a night a couple of days a week, the criminals are just going to go inside.  They’re not going to rob a house while a sheriff is right in front of them."

Of course, Dibble said, criminals don't typically commit crimes right in front of a uniformed deputy sitting in a patrol car, but a full-time deputy in Oakfield would certainly have its law-enforcement advantages, Dibble said.

"A deputy could respond in 30 seconds rather than 10 minutes," Dibble said. "I've got to believe that would make a difference."

A shift-dedicated deputy would also know the community better and interact with the community more.

Contrary to a suggestion by Cianfrini that a deputy couldn't -- for Constitutional reasons -- interview more people, Dibble said, "We can talk to anybody any time."

"A good officer can engage a person in conversation and learn a lot," Dibble said. "You would be amazed at what you can discover when you engage people."

Increased patrols would also mean increased traffic tickets, which can lead to the discovery of other crimes, either property crimes or drug crimes.

As for the latest crimes, Dibble said he spoke with Chief Deputy Jerome Brewster about Oakfield on Monday morning.

The recent burglaries and robberies in Oakfield are the subject of active investigations, Dibble said.

"We have several suspects and hopefully we will be able to make some arrests in the next few weeks," Dibble said.

The two burglary suspects arrested in Pavilion over the weekend may have Oakfield ties, Dibble said. Investigators will also look at them as possible suspects for crimes committed in Oakfield.

Pastecki said he remembers what the village was like when he worked in probation and officers made regular arrests in Oafield, but then things improved.

"It has turned into a wonderful village," Pastecki said. "That's why we're looking at whatever we need to do to be proactive and do something to maintain that feeling of security that everybody wants."

Since 2005, Oakfield resident Jeff Kitanik has been paralyzed from the waist down, yet he has maintained an active life and continues to run his construction company, according to friends.

There's one thing that will help make his life better, those friends say: a standing wheelchair.

To that end, friends have organized a fundraiser for Kitanik from noon to 6 p.m., Saturday, at the Oakfield Fire Hall, 20 Albert St., Oakfield.

The event will feature a chance auction, craft and rummage sale, bake sale and face painting. There is a $5 admission, which includes 25 raffle tickets and door prize entry.

The wheelchair costs $18,000.

A representative of the Standing Chair Company of Saginaw, Mich., will attend Saturday's event.

Friend Rebecca Martin said the chair will provide Kitanik, who is father to five children, with several benefits.

"There are many medical benefits of standing," Martin said. "Among other things, it maintains bone density, assists in healing of pressure sores, increases blood flow and helps maintain good blood pressure. It also helps the digestive system work properly, which has been a major concern of Jeff's since the accident. It won't help decrease pain level, or at least we don't think it will, but it will increase his quality of life immensely."

The chair is manual, which makes it lighter and easier to get in tight places, such as a construction site, but it also assists in keeping his lungs healthy.

Kitanik, known to friends as "Tru-Cut," and his wife, were involved in a serious auto accident Sept. 30, 2005.

"Still, Jeff holds his head high," Martin said. "He continues to put family first and runs his own construction business. Anyone who knows Jeff would tell you he holds all of the positive attributes we all strive to achieve and uphold."

To make a donation for the auction or purchase tickets, contact Donna at 948-8253 or Heather at 409-4605.

Submitted by Lisa Fickel:

Time heals all wounds. You cannot prove that one by me. Life can change in the blink of an eye. This one yes, as I am living proof. In my case it was more like 10 minutes. 

My name is Lisa Fickel. My husband Bill was murdered in front of our home on November 10th, 2005. 

It was a warm night for November. Bill and I were chatting about our work day, while I heated our boring dinner -- meatloaf, green beans and rice. It was “crunch time.” Only 10 minutes to "Survivor"!  

It would later be called a “random act of violence.” What did that even mean? This was no act. It was fact. Life as I knew for the past 25 years had ended at the hand of a stranger! 

As we approach the 6th anniversary of Bill’s death, my emotions are as raw as they were on that horrible night. I see the eerie glow of the mist on something laying on the side of the road. Omg! That is my husband! I hear the sirens in the distance. Why don’t they seem to be getting any closer?  And I smell the familiar scents of fall, wet leaves, wood burning, mixed with an odd tinny, iron smell. I quickly discover it to be the smell of Bill’s blood.  

It’s funny how many deals you try to make with God in an instant like this.  I promised him anything and everything I could think of! After all, this couldn’t be happening. Not to me. Not in Oakfield. Not to normal people who played by the rules. Murder, stabbings, shootings only happened in downtown Buffalo or Rochester, right?

At some point I was surrounded by people, chaos -- where did they all come from? I felt an unbelievable sense of calm wash over me. My mind was as clear as it could be. I’m told that was probably shock setting in.  But I knew it was Bill guiding me through my ordeal, helping me cope. I knew at that moment he was gone. I just could not let myself think or believe it.

Fast forward, 2011…The murder of Bill Fickel has yet to be solved. 

Yes, Chief Deputy Jerome Brewster has named “a person of interest” in our case. However, NO ONE has been formally charged. 

In January 2006, I vowed that I would be involved in the investigation every step of the way. I would not, could not let Bill be forgotten. He was loved by many. He was a victim and deserves justice!

My goal by recounting some of my thoughts and feelings is to provide you with a human connection to a local headline. A murder occurred in your community. This loss affected your family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, etc. If you know or have heard anything regarding our case, please contact the Genesee County Sheriff Office. The $100,000 reward still stands. Closure! It’s more than a word. It’s a new beginning. Perhaps a new life! 

Thank you to all for the endless love, support and prayers.

An Oakfield resident accused of multiple burglaries and other crimes in several Genesee County jurisdictions was ordered held in jail without bail by Judge Robert C. Noonan on Monday morning.

Benjamin W. Muntz appeared in county court to be arraigned on charges of burglary, 3rd, possession of stolen property and petit larceny.

Assistant District Attorney Melissa Cianfrini asked that Muntz, who was already in jail, continue to be held without bail because he faces possible felony and misdemeanor charges out of Oakfield, Elba, Alabama and Bergen.

Thomas Burns, the attorney assigned Muntz, asked for a bail review once all of the other cases are brought before Noonan.

Muntz pled not guilty this morning.

In the current indictment, Muntz is accused of breaking into a garage on Judge Road, Alabama on Aug. 26 and stealing a Honda dirt bike.

Annette Joy Waleski, 45, of South Pearl Street Road, Oakfield, is charged with petit larceny, possession of burglar tools and criminal mischief, 4th. Waleski is accused of trying to stealing $399.77 worth of merchandise from Kmart. Waleski allegedly used a cutting tool in the process of the attempted thefts.

Lindsay Ann Skivington, 24, of Cook Road, Byron, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Skivington is accused of allowing her infant child into contact with the infant's father, Michael Jamil, in violation of an order of protection. Skivington allegedly brought the child to Jamil's residence.

Philip R. Ayala, 25, of Melville Street, Rochester, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Ayala was allegedly observed by members of the Local Drug Task Force smoking marijuana while in a vehicle on Clinton Street Road, Bergen. Following a traffic stop, Ayala was allegedly found in possession of marijuana. Uniformed deputies assisted in the arrest.

A strong-armed robbery of a purse is reported in Oakfield. No address provided. A Sheriff's deputy is responding.

UPDATE 8:32 p.m.: A woman was assaulted after leaving Wilson Farms Market and heading for home on foot. Her assailant is described as a thin, white male, wearing glasses and a tan-colored jacket.