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Law an Order: Bergen resident accused of passing forged check

By Howard B. Owens

Dustin Michael Locicero, 29, of Gibson Street, Bergen, is charged with forgery 2nd. Locicero was arrested following an investigation into a complaint of a stolen check and its forged use at a location in the City of Batavia. Locicero was jailed without bail.

Thomas E. Newcomb, 42, of 27 E. Main St., Le Roy, is charged with harassment, 2nd, and endangering the welfare of a child. Newcomb is accused of striking a woman in the face with his hand during an argument.

Brandon David Gendron, 25, of Judge Road, Basom, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, uninspected motor vehicle and failure to keep right. Gendron was stopped at 11:25 p.m. Fridayon Fotch Road, Stafford, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Stephen Joseph Peters, 18, of Wyoming Road, Warsaw, is charged with petit larceny. Peters accused of shoplifting from Walmart.

David William Buchholtz, 54, of North Spruce Street, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Buchholtz is accused of shoplifting from Walmart.

Harry Lee Flatt, 68, of Fruit Avenue, Medina, is charged with felony DWI, felony driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, failure to keep right and moving from lane unsafely.

Donald Anthony Irwin, 43, of Main Road, Stafford, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon. Irwin was allegedly found in possession of a metal knuckle knife following a property damage accident at 9:12 p.m. Thursday in the Walmart parking lot.

Michael J. Wall, 39, of Oak Orchard Road, Elba, is charged with criminal obstruction of breathing and endangering the welfare of a child. Wall was arrested following an investigation into an alleged domestic incident reported at 6:40 a.m., Nov. 23.

Christopher Brian King, 22, of Pearl Street Road, Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. King is accused of ordering food at the Denny's in Pembroke and leaving without paying for the food.

Dana Robert Devin Cipra, 21, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Cipra was arrested following a traffic stop at 12:47 a.m. Thursday on Route 77, Corfu, by Deputy Joseph Corona.

Danielle M. Stevens, 37, of Ford Road, Elba, is charged with petit larceny. Stevens was arrested after a check of video surveillance footage indicated she allegedly stole two vacuums from Walmart.

Robert Allen Norway, 40, of Lake Avenue, Rochester, is charged with violation of a Family Court order. Norway was arrested on a warrant out of Family Court.

Big rig reportedly sideswipes a car on Main Road in Pembroke

By Billie Owens

An accident with minor injuries is reported at 352 Main Road in Pembroke. A tractor-trailer that was "bobtailing" allegedly sideswiped a car and the driver has facial lacerations from broken glass. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are responding along with Mercy medics. Also, Akron is called to provide a pumper, mutual aid.

East Pembroke Fire Department sign hit by car

By Howard B. Owens

A car has hit the East Pembroke Fire Department sign and a child in the vehicle suffered a minor injury.

East Pembroke fire and Mercy EMS responded.

Car into guard rail on Route 77, Pembroke

By Howard B. Owens

A car has hit a guard rail on Route 77 in the area of the TA Travel Center.

There's one occupant in the vehicle.

No word on injuries.

Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments along with Mercy EMS dispatched.

UPDATE 5:17 p.m.: The disabled vehicle is blocking traffic. Minor injuries reported.

UPDATE 5:27 p.m.: To help clear traffic and get the car moved, a chief has placed the patient is his vehicle and parked in the TA parking lot. Mercy EMS is still in route.

UPDATE 5:43 p.m.: Pembroke and Indian Falls back in service.

Smoke in the basement reported on Coniber Road, Pembroke

By Billie Owens

Smoke in the basement is reported at 8309 Coniber Road. East Pembroke and Pembroke fire departments are responding.

UPDATE 7:22 p.m.: Command on scene confirms light smoke in the basement.

UPDATE 7:28 p.m.: The smoke reportedly smells like fuel oil of some sort.

UPDATE 7:40 p.m.: Fire command is speaking with the homeowner, although no one was home at the time of the call. The chimney may be the source of smoke.

UPDATE 7:51 p.m.: They are ventilating the structure.

UPDATE 7:55 p.m.: East Pembroke command says the source of the problem is a faulty furnace and the homeowner is going to take care of it. The assignment is back in service.

Possible house fire on Beckwith Road, North Pembroke

By Billie Owens

A possible fire at a house filled with smoke in North Pembroke requires the response of all available manpower from the East Pembroke Fire Department, plus an engine mutual aid from Alabama. The address is 2334 Beckwith Road, between North Pembroke and Slusser roads.

UPDATE 7:48 p.m.: Responders think they have the fire out. Alabama is told to stand by in quarters.

UPDATE 8:14 p.m.: Alabama fire back in service.

UPDATE 8:22 p.m.: Problem solved. East Pembroke is back in service

Tractor-trailer in ditch is blocking Main Road in Pembroke, traffic being rerouted

By Billie Owens

A tractor-trailer is in the ditch and completely across the roadway on Route 5 near Route 90. Law Enforcement is on scene and Indian Falls and Pembroke fire departments are responding.

Fire police are told to reroute traffic at Main Road (Route 5) and Route 77, and Main Road and Lake Road.

UPDATE 5:31 p.m.: Pembroke command called for mutual aid from the Akron Fire Department, which dispatched fire police to reroute tractor-trailer traffic at Crittenden and Route 5.

UPDATE 5:41 p.m.: Pembroke command says the highway has been cleared. Roads are reopened and the Pembroke and Indian Falls assignment is back in service.

Minor injury accident reported on Thruway in Pembroke

By Howard B. Owens

A car has reportedly traveled well of the roadway on the Thruway in the area of mile marker 403 in the west bound lane.

Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments along with Mercy EMS are dispatch for what is reportedly a minor injury accident.

UPDATE 1:06 p.m.: One person transported to UMMC with minor injuries.

Photos: Town of Batavia ladder truck used for water rescue training at Indian Falls

By Howard B. Owens

The Town of Batavia Fire Department's new ladder truck was used in a unique way this morning -- to practice a water rescue at Indian Falls.

Many times over the years people have fallen at the falls and rope teams have been brought in for a precarious rescue that involves climbing down steep cliffs and/or crossing rapid waters. 

Today, the rescue team trained with the ladder extended over the falls and being lowered down to the water for a practice rescue.

Also participating were Pembroke and Indian Falls.

Photos courtesy Town of Batavia Fire Department.

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Person may be in water above the falls near Log Cabin Restaurant

By Billie Owens

A caller to dispatch reports a person "may be in the water" above the falls near the Indian Falls Log Cabin Restaurant, located at 7948 Alleghany Road. Mercy medics and Pembroke and Indian Falls fire are responding. A woman in the parking lot says she thinks she saw a person in the water and that the person has been there at least an hour. Mercy Flight is put on standby. The fire crews are going to put up a light tower.

UPDATE 6:34 p.m.: "What I think we've got here is a pumpkin at the top of the falls," says a responder. "We need a pair of binoculors to see it. But I think it's a pumpkin from what I can tell."

UPDATE 6:36 p.m.: All responding units are told to proceed in non-emergency mode.

UPDATE 6:38 p.m.: "We're going to put up the light tower, but I think it's a pumpkin," says Pembroke command.

UPDATE 6:41 p.m.: Emergency responders are going to talk to people at the restaurant in an attempt to get more information about the incident.

UPDATE 6:45 p.m.: "It's been confirmed it's a pumpkin, you can disregard," the dispatcher tells an officer. "Disregarding the pumpkin," is the reply.

UPDATE: A picture of the pumpkin sent in by a reader:

Grand Jury indicts man for first-degree rape of girl less than 11 in City of Batavia

By Billie Owens

These are the latest indictments issued by the Genesee County Grand Jury:

Terrel A. Goodson, an adult male, is accused of predatory sexual assault against a child, a Class A-II felony. It is alleged that on Sept. 2, Goodson committed first-degree rape in the City of Batavia by engaging in sexual intercourse with a girl less than 11 years old. In count two, he is accused of the same crime by engaging in oral sexual conduct with a girl less than 11 years old. In count three, he is accused of first-degree sexual abuse, a Class violent felony, for allegedly subjecting a minor under the age of 11 to sexual contact.

Timmy L. Taylor is indicted on five counts of first-degree criminal contempt, Class E felonies, for allegedly violating a court order of protection in October in the City of Batavia. It is alleged that Taylor intentionally placed, or attempted to place, a protected person in reasonable fear of physical injury, serious physical injury or death by repeatedly following the person or engaging in a course of conduct or repeatedly committing acts over a period of time. He allegedly violated the court order of protection in the City of Batavia on Oct. 6 and Oct. 20 with the intent to harass, annoy, threaten or alarm a protected person or otherwise subject that person to physical contact or threatened to do so. He's accused of striking, shoving, kicking or otherwise subjecting the protected party to physical contact or threatening to do so. He's is accused of intentionally placing, or attempting to place, the protected party in reasonable fear of death, imminent serious physical injury or physical injury. In counts six and seven, he is accused of third-degree assault, a Class A misdemeanor, for allegedly intending to cause physical injury to another person, causing injury to such person or to a third person on Oct. 6 and 20th, respectively. In counts eight and nine, he is accused of second-degree strangulation, a Class D violent felony, for intending to impede normal breathing or circulation of blood to another person, applying pressure on the throat or neck of the person, thereby causing stupor, loss of consciousness for any period of time, or any other physical injury or impairment, on Oct. 6 and 20th, respectively. In count 10, he's accused of first-degree coercion, a Class D felony, for compelling or inducing a person to engage in conduct which the person had a legal right to abstain from engaging in or, conversely, the person had the right to engage in legally. This allegedly was done on Oct. 20 by instilling fear of physical injury. In count 11, Taylor is accused of second-degree unlawful imprisonment, a Class A misdemeanor, for allegedly restraining another person on Oct. 20.

Leon C. Bloom Jr. is accused of first-degree burglary, a Class B felony, for entering or remaining unlawfully inside a dwelling on Fordham Drive in the City of Batavia late on Sept. 22 or early on Sept. 23 with the intent of committing a crime. In so doing or in fleeing the scene, it is alleged he physically injured a person who was not a participant in the alleged crime. In count two, he's accused of strangulation in the second degree, in the same incident, for allegedly intending to impede normal breathing or circulation of the blood of another person, applying pressure to the person's throat or neck thereby causing stupor or loss of consciousness for any period of time or any other physical injury or impairment. In count three, Bloom is accused of third-degree assualt, a Class A misdemeanor, for intending to cause physical injury to another person or causing such injury to the person or a third person.

Matthew J. Vandorn is accused of third-degree burglary, a Class D felony, for allegedly knowingly entering and remaining unlawfully in a barn on Dillon Road in the Town of Pavilion on July 4th or 5th. In count two, he is accused of fourth-degree grand larceny, a Class E felony. He allegedly stole property valued at more than $1,000 in the Town of Stafford on July 1st or 2nd, specifically two Yamaha motorcycles, made in 1994 and 2005, respectively. In count three, he is accused of criminal possession of stolen property, 4th, a Class E felony. It is alleged that between July 1 and July 18 in the Town of Stafford he knowingly possessed stolen property with the intent to benefit himself or someone other than the owner, or to impede the recovery of the property by the owner. The property's value was more than $1,000 -- the two motorcycles noted in count two of the indictment. In count four of the indictment, Vandorn is accused of third-degree burglary, a Class D felony, for allegedly entering or remaining unlawfully in a building on Batavia-Oakfield Townline Road in the Town of Oakfield on June 29 and June 30 with the intent to commit a crime. In count five, Vandorn is accused of criminal possession of stolen property, 3rd, a Class D felony, for allegedly knowingly possessing stolen property with the intent of benefitting himself or someone other than the owner, or to impede the recovery of the property by the owner and the value of it exceeded $3,000. The property was a Honda TRX four-wheeler and a Yamaha 350 Raptor four-wheeler. In count six, he is accused of grand larceny, 3rd, a Class D felony for allegedly stealing property on June 29 and June 30 valued at more than $3,000, the aforementioned four-wheelers.

Samantha A. Lora is accused of driving while intoxicated, a Class D felony, for driving a 2013 Chevrolet on Interstate 90 in the Town of Pembroke on May 1 while impaired by alcohol. In count two, she accused of the same crime while she had a passenger age 15 or less, which is a Class E felony. In count three, Lora is accused of aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, a Class E felony, for operating a motor vehicle while knowing or having reason to know, that her license was suspended, revoked or otherwise withdrawn in the state of New York, and while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Jeremy M. Denton is accused of driving while intoxicated as a Class E felony. It is alleged that on May 10 in the Town of Bergen he drove a 2004 GMC pickup truck on Route 19 while intoxicated. In count two of the indictment, he is also accused of having a BAC of .08 at the time.

Local law enforcement collects 527 lbs of pharmaceuticals on drug take back day

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

On Saturday, Oct. 26, Batavia Police Department, Le Roy Police Department, and the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office participated in the D.E.A. Sponsored, National Drug Take Back Day. In Genesee County Take Back sites were operated at the Batavia Police Department, 10 W. Main St., the LeRoy Police Department, 3 W. Main St. and the Pembroke Town Highway Barns, at routes 5 and 77.

Collected at the three sites in Genesee County was a total of 527 pounds of medications and hypodermic instruments.

The collected items have been delivered to Buffalo D. E. A. for proper disposal.

Police wish to thank the public for their enthusiastic response to this great program.  Working together we have kept these drugs from potentially being abused and from contaminating our environment.

Pembroke Intermediate students celebrate Red Ribbon Week

By Howard B. Owens

Photos and information submitted by Aaron Brown.

Last week, the Pembroke Intermediate School celebrated Red Ribbon Week. Throughout the week, students and staff participated in Spirit Days, celebrating choosing a life that does not include drugs. The week concluded with a school-wide assembly and balloon launch.

Two-car accident at Route 77 and Akron Road

By Billie Owens

A two-car accident with injuries is reported at Route 77 and Akron Road, Indian Falls. Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments are responding, along with Mercy medics. A female complains of neck, side and back pain.

UPDATE 12:54 p.m.: Firefighters are working to extricate a victim(s).

UPDATE 1:22 p.m.: The firefighters are back in service.

Law and Order: A handful of warrent arrests announced

By Howard B. Owens

Heather E. Schramm, 33, of 110 Bank St., Batavia, is charged with failure to pay fine imposed by court. Schramm is accused of not paying a fine related to a second-degree harassment charge. Batavia PD Officer James DeFreze observed Schramm walking near Save-A-Lot and took her into custody on a City Court warrant.

Alicia M. Lyons, 33, of 120 State St., lower, was arrested on a bench warrant. Lyons is accused of not appearing on an alleged theft of services charge. Lyons is accused of not paying for food at a local restaurant.

Donna M. Kroft, 60, of 120 State St., lower, was arrested on a bench warrant. Kroft is accused of not appearing on a alleged theft of services charge. Kroft is accused of not paying for food at a local restaurant.

Travis L. Bartz, 18, of 11 Trumbull Parkway, Batavia, was arrested on a bench warrant. Bartz is accused of failure to appear on a criminal mischief, 4th, charge. Bartz was located by Batavia PD Officer James DeFreze at Batavia HS and taken into custody. Bartz was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Nathan David Martina, 18, of Lisa Lane, East Amherst, and Christopher Mario Ossa, 18, of Harris Hill Road, Williamsville, are charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Martina and Ossa were found at 9:47 p.m., Wednesday, in a parked vehicle on Batavia Stafford Townline Road allegedly in possession of marijuana.

Clarence W. Odell, 45, of Liberty Street, Batavia, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. Odell was arrested on a warrant out of Town of Pembroke Court. Odell allegedly damaged the wall of an office building in the Town of Pembroke on July 17.

Power outage in Indian Falls

By Howard B. Owens

Nearly 40 National Grid customers are without power along Phelps Road, Indian Falls, after a power line was knocked down.

A fire chief who responded reports it appears that a semi-truck knocked the line down.

The area includes a trailer park that is without power.

National Grid estimates power will be restored by 11:45 a.m.

'Everybody was lucky' that nobody was seriously hurt when SUV slams into house on Akron Road

By Howard B. Owens

A season's worth of preserves along with 10 bushels of apples bought just today for canning were destroyed tonight at the Swendsen home on Akron Road, Pembroke, when a Mercury Mountaineer came roaring up the driveway of the farm and plowed through the family's dining room.

The son of Peter and Lynette Swendsen was just feet away frying up some eggs.

Lynette thanked God over and over as she talked  about the accident.

She was thankful that nobody was hurt or killed in the accident -- not her son who was minutes away from sitting at the dining room table turned into splinters by the SUV, not herself who was in the house on the phone with her mother-in-law, not her husband who was standing feet from the gravel driveway when the vehicle went rushing by, and not her younger son, who was helping bring in cows that were panicked by the loud boom of the car smashing into the house.

Even the driver, reported to be Jason M. Purdy, 34, of Tesnow Road, Alabama, suffered only minor injuries.

"I do all of my own canning and preserves," Lynette said. "We have six children, so I do all of that myself. All of our jelly was done for the year.

"It sounds crazy to be upset about it," she added, "but that kid hit that stove in our kitchen and it must weigh 1,500 pounds -- you just can't imagine  -- that alone could have killed him. It's just unbelievable he didn't die."

Everybody was lucky, said Sgt. John Szumigala, of the Sheriff's Office.

"There was nobody in the room that was completely demolished by the car," Szumigala said. "There were people close to it, but nobody in it. And nobody was in his path coming down the driveway, so everybody was very lucky."

Peter Swendsen said it looked like the SUV was doing 100 mph down his driveway.

Both Peter and Lynette described the car hitting the house as an explosion.

"It was like something you never heard in your life," Lynette said.

The vehicle came to rest on a tree stump in the back yard, with the front wheels off the ground.

"He was still trying to go," Peter said. "He still had his foot on the gas pedal."

Peter helped him get out of the Mountaineer and when the driver, according to Peter, tried to run, Peter said he "grabbed him by the shoulders and sat him to the ground."

When Lynette came out of the house, Peter was yelling at her to call 9-1-1.

"I still had the phone in my hand from my mother-in-law," Lynette said. "I was just frantic with the lady on the phone because I didn't know if anybody was hurt. I didn't even know what happened."

The red preserves splattered against the outside wall of the house gave some of the first responders quite a start when they arrived on the scene, but they soon realized it was just jelly.

Purdy was transported to ECMC by Mercy EMS with minor injuries.

He's believed to be the same person who was reported as a possibly intoxicated driver on Akron Road prior to the accident. When a patrol arrived, the vehicle couldn't be located. A short time later, a vehicle reportedly hit a road sign on Akron Road, and then minutes later, at 7:07 p.m., the call came into emergency dispatch for a car hitting a house at 721 Akron Road.

Purdy was not the owner of the SUV. About an hour after the accident, a young woman showed up at the scene in tears. She said it was her vehicle that hit the house.

The initial investigation indicates, Szumigala said, that Purdy had permission to drive the vehicle, but he did not necessarily have permission to have taken the vehicle for as long as he appears to have taken it. 

The Swendsen's home on their organic dairy farm is situated down a long driveway -- well more than 100 yards long -- off Akron Road at a T-intersection with Marble Road. Szumigala said it appears Purdy was heading north on Marble Road and just continued straight across Akron Road into the driveway.

Peter said Purdy kept asking if he was on Akron Road after he was out of the SUV.

The incident remains under investigation and Purdy has not yet been charged with any crimes.

Lynette said Purdy said he was sorry, before he was taken away by Mercy EMS, for hitting her house. She said she was just glad he wasn't seriously hurt.

Responding to the scene were volunteer firefighters from Pembroke, East Pembroke Corfu and Darien. The accident is being investigated by deputies Kevin McCarthy and Patrick Reeves and Sgt. Szumigala and Investigator Roger Stone.

Two car wrecks with injuries prompt response from Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments

By Billie Owens

Two nearly simultaneous car accidents require the response of both the Pembroke and Indian Falls fire departments, along with Corfu and mutual aid from Darien.

At 7:07 p.m. a car-into-house accident, with injuries, was reported at 721 Akron Road. The side porch was "completely taken out and there is substantial damage to the vehicle," according to a responder.

This may connected to a just-prior accident at 878 Gabbey Road where a car reportedly went off the road and there are injuries. The pickup truck involved is said to have fled the scene.

A responder said he was nearly hit head on by the pickup truck believed to be the same one which left the Gabbey Road incident.

Darien Fire Department is requested to aid in shoring up the residence that was struck on Akron Road, wherein one person suffered a hand laceration.

7:35 p.m.: One person is being loaded into a Mercy rig for hospital transport. The natural gas fuel provider is called to the scene since the house that was struck had its gas on at the time of impact.

7:55 p.m.: One person was taken to ECMC. National Grid was also called to the scene.

Photos: Late afternoon in Pembroke and Indian Falls

By Howard B. Owens

Here's some shots from a late afternoon drive through East Pembroke, Indian Falls and Pembroke.

Above, on Stegman Road, Batavia.

Pratt Road

Little Indian Falls Road

Indian Falls Lake

Slusser Road

Driver trapped, but minor injuries in accident at Akron Road and Tesnow Road

By Howard B. Owens

A motor-vehicle accident with minor injuries has been reported at Akron Road and Tesnow Road, Pembroke.

A victim is trapped in a vehicle, however.

Pembroke fire and Indian Falls fire and Mercy EMS dispatched.

Akron's fire department put on standby in case personnel are needed to assist with extrication.

UPDATE: The patient is out of the vehicle. There is a gas leak.

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