crime

James J. Santiago Jr. was formally charged yesterday with stealing pot from an alleged drug dealer. After a sealed Grand Jury indictment was opened, Santiago was arranged on three felony counts and he entered a non-guilty plea to each count.

Count one of the indictment alleges that Santiago "forcibly stole property from Eric Merritt."

Merritt has been accused of bringing in friends from Batavia and Corfu and heading to Santiago's residence at 31 Myrtle St. in Le Roy and attempting to recover the marijuana. That attempt on Jan. 22 led to a fight that put three people in the hospital with apparent knife wounds.

The three counts against Santiago are: robbery 3rd, criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd, and assault 2nd.

Previously:

• A dispute over marijuana leads to fight, according to Le Roy Police
• Suspect in Le Roy Village melee over stolen pot jailed
• Third suspect arrested in Le Roy's 'Stolen Pot' case

A person checking on a neighbor's house Sunday in Le Roy was surprised to find an intruder hiding in the basement.

Nobody was hurt in the incident, but the Le Roy Police Department is looking for assistance from the public in identifying the burglar.

The incident occurred between 8:30 and 9 p.m. on Hilltop Drive after a person returned home from watching the Super Bowl half-time show at another location and noticed a suspicious person standing near a neighbor's house.

The suspicious person disappeared from sight and the resident checked his neighbor's door and found it ajar. The resident then checked the house and found the intruder in the basement.

The intruder pushed the resident out of the way and fled.

The police press release did not specify whether anything was stolen nor did it provide a description of the suspect.

Police investigators are asking that anybody who might have information related to this incident to call 768-2527.

Taylor Dylan Carbonaro, 19, of 1044 Peck Road, Hilton, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Carbonaro was stopped on Route 77 in Pembroke at 7:07 p.m. Monday by Deputy Patrick Reeves for an alleged traffic violation. Deputy Reeves reported smelling the odor of burnt marijuana emanating from the car and found Carbonaro allegedly in possession of cannabis. Carbonaro was also issued tickets for alleged failure to keep right and throwing refuse/cigarette on the highway.

Todd L. Fairbanks, 27, of 38 Prospect Ave., Batavia, is charged with aggravated harassment 2nd. Fairbanks is accused of making several unwanted and annoying telephone calls to a female acquaintance. He was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Rebecca L. Santiago, 23, of Stafford, was arrested Jan. 23 and charged with petit larceny. The arrested appeared in today's State Police blotter. She was also charged with criminal mischief. No further details provided.

A 17-year-old girl from Corfu is charged with harassment 2nd. She was arrested by State Police in Pembroke at 11 a.m. Monday. No further details provided.

Accidents from the State Police blotter:

6:22 p.m., Feb. 8, Weatherwax Road, Elba, one vehicle; Driver 1: Glenn J. Northup, 63, of Byron. No injuries reported.

The Grand Jury has issued a two-count indictment against Lekisha M. Avant. Avant is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance 3rd and criminal possession of a controlled substance 4th. The indictment alleges that on Feb. 8, 2005, Avant, while at the Days Inn, 200 Oak St., Batavia, did knowingly and unlawfully possess a narcotic drug, cocaine, with the intent to sell it. The indictment further alleges that on Dec. 29, 2009, Avant was again at the Days Inn and knowingly and unlawfully in possession one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures or substances containing a narcotic drug (cocaine) having an aggregate weight of one-eighth an ounce or more. (For initial arrest report, click here.)

The Grand Jury also issued a two-count indictment against Charles Brown. Brown is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation 1st and aggravated unlicensed operation 2nd. The indictment accuses Brown of driving on Aug. 20, 2009, on the Thruway through Le Roy when he knew, or had reason to know that his license was suspended. Brown allegedly was operating with 10 or more suspensions imposed on at least 10 separate dates. The alleged suspensions date back to Feb. 6, 2003.

Corey J. Hemmer, 23, of 91 S. Main Apt. B, Elba, is charged with petit larceny. Hemmer reportedly tried to return an empty box to Walmart at 6:41 p.m. Friday in exchange for a gift card. Hemmer reportedly received a gift card and after he left the customer service counter, employees reportedly discovered the box had no merchandise inside. Hemmer was located at a cash register attempting to purchase merchandise from the store.  When confronted by a loss prevention officer from the store, Hemmer allegedly ran from the store. When he was caught outside, Hemmer allegedly resisted detention. The loss prevention officer also reportedly spotted merchandise inside of Hemmer's jacket. Hemmer was eventually found hiding behind trees off Route 63.

Alice E. Coover, 34, of 112 Lake St., Apt. 1, Le Roy, is charged with three counts of unlawful dealing with a child 1st. Coover was arrested by Sgt. Michael J. Hare of the Le Roy Police Department for allegedly providing alcohol to three teenagers on Friday and Saturday nights.

Amy E. Loranty, 27, of 215 Bank St., Batavia, is charged with petit larceny. Loranty is accused of being in Target at 12:15 p.m. yesterday with her boyfriend and her two children when she allegedly stole articles of clothing.

Thomas C. Couse, 45, of 2728 Buffalo Road, Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, failure to stop at stop sign and moving from lane unsafely. Couse was allegedly involved in a car accident at 3:20 a.m. Saturday at the intersection of Route 33 and 33A, Bergen. Couse allegedly left the scene of the accident and then was identified when he returned to the scene. The accident was investigated by Deputy John Weis.

Jason Norman Haacke, 32, of 47 Farnsworth Ave., Oakfield, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Haacke was stopped by at 8:59 p.m. Saturday by Deputy Jason Saile in Oakfield for allegedly speeding. He was then arrested on the alleged DWI charges.

Robert Alan Steavens, 41, of 3478 Spring Road, Alexander, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, improper right turn, failure to dim headlights.  Steavens was stopped at 2:13 a.m. Friday in Darien by Deputy Jason Saile.

Ryan M. Bobzin, 21, of Bergen, is charged with harassment 2nd. Bobzin was arrested by State Police at 11:17 p.m. Sunday. No further details were released.

Accidents from the State Police blotter:

2:37 p.m., Feb. 6, Judge Road, Alabama, two vehicles; Driver 1: Wendi L. Kavenagh, 34, of Le Roy; Driver 1: Daniel J. Davis, 43, of Middleport. No injuries reported.

Gregory James Baker, 29, of 19 Rochester St., Bergen, is charged with criminal trespass 2nd and harassment 2nd. Baker is accused of remaining unlawfully at 17 Rochester St. on Jan. 25. Baker allegedly subjected somebody at that residence to physical contact. Baker was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Dustin David Say, 18, of 1952 North Java, Alden, is charged with criminal possession of stolen property 5th. Say was arrested in Alexander and accused of possessing stolen property stemming from a series of car larcenies in Alden.

Wesley Alan Ground, 33, of 411 Bloomingdale Road, Akron, is charged with felony DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, failure to keep right and driving left of pavement markings. Ground was stopped by Deputy Jason Saile at 1:04 a.m. Wednesday on Akron Road in Pembroke. Ground was issued an appearance ticket.

Paul Mark Wieclaw, 20, of 31 Broadway St., Apt. #2, Oakfield, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Wieclaw was stopped by Deputy Patrick Reeves at 7:39 p.m. on Jan. 30 in Batavia for an alleged traffic violation.

As a follow up to a previous item: On Sept. 4, the Elba Volunteer Fire Department was first responder to a roll-over accident on Oak Orchard Road. It turned out the accident was actually in Orleans County, Town of Barre. Abagail Buzard, 8, was ejected from the vehicle in that accident and was pronounced dead at UMMC. Today, Corey C. Buzard, 33, of Holley and Courtney L. Buzard, 17, of Brockport, were charged by the State Police with criminally negligent homicide.

Accidents from the State Police blotter:

7:16 p.m., Feb. 3, Wright Road, Alabama, one vehicle; Driver 1: Ricky R. Reiss, 27, of Akron. No injuries, no citations reported.

10:40 p.m., Feb. 3, Boyce Road, Pembroke, one vehicle; Driver 1: Melissa A. Chilano, 33, of Cowlesville. No injuries, no citations reported.

10:16 a.m., Feb. 2, Thruway entrance, Route 77, two vehicles. Driver 1: Cynthia S. Baase, 48, of Victor; Driver 2: Gwyn Moriarty, 50, of Chardon, Ohio. One injury, no citations reported.

12:59 p.m., Feb. 2, Lovers Lane, Town of Pembroke, two vehicles. Driver 1: Stephen J. Orel, 54, of Lancaster; Driver 2: Gene R. Uzar, 63, of Arcade. One injury, no citations reported.

Twenty-nine-year-old Marcia Mitchell, a mother from Batavia, admitted in a Buffalo court yesterday that she tried to smother her child while at a Buffalo-area hospital nearly two years ago.

Mitchell entered a guilty plea to the charge of attempted first-degree assault, which carries a possible prison sentence of 15 years.

The Buffalo News reports:

Mitchell was recently hospitalized for her second jailhouse suicide attempt since her arrest. She was found mentally competent to assist in her own defense by two court-appointed mental health experts, even though she has mental problems that court officials and her lawyer refuse to discuss.

Dietrich Williams, who admitted in December that he abused an infant left in his care last summer, was sent to state prison by Judge Robert C. Noonan yesterday.

Williams was given a 12-year prison term.

The baby suffered severe head trauma after he shook the little girl and slammed her head against a hard surface in what was apparently an attempt to quiet her down.

Williams was reportedly acting as a babysitter for his girlfriend, whom he was staying with at the time.

A week before Williams entered his guilty plea, the little girl's mother wrote to The Batavian and said the child, who has needed much therapy and is likely to need help for many, many years, is doing much better.

Williams was originally charged with assault 1st, which carried a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison, but in order to facilitate a plea without a trial, District Attorney Lawrence Friedman accepted a guilty plea to attempted assault 1st, which carried a maximum penalty of 15 years in State Prison. The minimum sentence available to Noonan was three and a half years.

As part of his guilty plea, Williams had to admit to the factual circumstances of the case.

(WTBA contributed to this report.)

A third arrest has been made in "The Case of the Stolen Pot" in Le Roy.

Taken into custody by Le Roy Police is Eric J. Merritt, 20, of 4070 Rose Road, Batavia. Merritt is the man suspected of trying to sell marijuana to two people in a parking lot on Lake Street on Jan. 23.

One of those people is reportedly 16 years old, so Merritt has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child. No other charges were announced by the Le Roy Police Department tonight.

James J. Santiago Jr., 30, of 31 Myrtle St., Le Roy, is accused of stealing the marijuana. Santiago turned himself into police yesterday.

After Santiago allegedly stole the marijuana, the alleged dealer brought friends in from Batavia to confront Santiago at his home at on Myrtle Street. In the ensuing fight, three people, including Ronald G. Carney, 21, of Corfu were injured. All three were hospitalized. Carney has been charged with burglary.

As many as nine people participated in the fracas -- allegedly Santiago and two friends as well as the suspects Merritt and Carney plus four of their friends.

Besides Merritt, Carney and Santiago no other arrests have been made yet.

Yusuf A. Hassem aka Louis L. Reed, 69, came to town in April nattily dressed in a gray wool suit and tan overcoat. He will leave Batavia in shackles.

Following a three-day jury trial, Hassem was convicted today of grand larceny 4th.

Hassem posed as a recent African immigrant who needed help with a transaction at Tonawanda Valley Federal Credit Union. He managed to switch envelopes with a woman, stealing $2,000 cash from her.

Soon after the theft, the Batavia Police sent out a picture of Hassem to local media. The release of the bank surveillance camera photo soon led to Hassem's arrest in Buffalo.

Hassem, who began his career in crime in 1957, according to District Attorney Lawrence Friedman, faces similar charges in Albany and Schenectady. Officials from one of those jurisdictions will likely pick him up at Genesee County Jail following his March 17 sentencing.

"He has a very extensive criminal history for this type of thing and others," Friedman said. "That's unusual right there. I mean, we have a 69-year-old defendant who has been in the system for 53 years."

Judge Robert C. Noonan will have a couple of options in sentencing Hassem to state prison. Now classified as a second-felony offender, he will get either one-and-a-third- to three-years or a term of two to four years in the penetentiary.

The Le Roy Police Department arrested warrant suspect James J. Santiago Jr., of 31 Myrtle St., Le Roy, after he turned himself into the Le Roy Police Department accompanied by his attorney.

The arrest stems from the intensive investigation into the disturbance which occurred Jan. 23 at his address in the village in which three persons were sent to the hospital for knife wounds to the arm, neck and chest, respectively.

The police were able to determine that this disturbance was the result of an alleged robbery of two ounces of marijuana.

It is alleged that between 10 p.m. and midnight Friday, Jan. 22, people from Le Roy, including Santiago, ordered two ounces of marijuana from a person in Batavia. The marijuana was delivered and the deal was to take place in a local parking lot. During the transaction, the marijuana was allegedly forcibly stolen by Santiago who then left the area.

The person who brought the marijuana called others from Batavia notifying them of the robbery at which time six people drove to Le Roy to attempt to get the marijuana back.

The group arrived in Le Roy and walked to Santiago's residence where they allegedly confronted Santiago demanding the return of the marijuana. When he refused, an alleged violent physical altercation occurred involving a knife and golf clubs. Afterwards, the group fled the area without the marijuana.

Santiago is being charged with one count of robbery 3rd (forcible stealing of the marijuana), assault 2nd (assault with a weapon) and criminal possession of a weapon 3rd (possession of a weapon with intent to use against another and having been previously convicted of a crime). All charges are Class D-Felonies. Santiago was arraigned before the Hon. Charles Dusen of the Town of Le Roy Court and committed to the Genesee County Jail without bail.

The Le Roy Police were assisted in this investigation by the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department, the Genesee County Drug Task Force, the New York State Police and the Genesee County District Attorney’s office.

Jessica Lauren Wildey, 19, of 14 Jamie Lynn Drive, Churchville, is charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. At 6:48 a.m. Monday, Deputy Frank Bordonaro was investigating an assault complaint at a location in Bergen when Wildey reportedly drove back to the scene (she had reportedly been involved in the initial disturbance). Upon further investigation, Deputy Bordonaro determined Wildey had allegedly been driving drunk.

Accidents from the State Police blotter:

8:06 a.m. Feb 1., Galloway Road, Batavia, one vehicle; Driver 1: Jessica L. Worden, 22, of Penn Yan. No injuries, no citations reported.

Wanted by the Genesee County Sheriff's Office for an alleged violation of probation: Christopher A. Laird.

Laird was placed on probation following a charge of burglary 2nd. He has reportedly failed to comply with the terms of his probation.

Laird frequents the Village of LeRoy and the City of Batavia. 

Warrant Officer Eric Olson asks that people with information on the whereabouts of Laird call 911.

Ralph A. Golding, 20, of Darien, is charged with obstructing governmental administration 2nd, resisting arrest, bail jumping and unlawful possession of marijuana. Golding was arrested at 10:28 a.m. Friday at 1891 Sumner Road by State Police. Also charged with obstructing governmental administration 2nd, Darlene D. Mutter, 45, of Corfu. No further information available.

Luis A. Altache, 40, of 4385 Lockport Road, Elba, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and speeding. Altache was stopped at 2:31 a.m Sunday by Deputy Howard Carlson in the Village of Elba for allegedly speeding.

Cory C. Sheffer, 19, of Bergen, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Sheffer was arrested at 2:40 a.m. Saturday at 6163 N. Lake Road, Bergen. A 17-year-old from Bergen was also arrested by State Police. No further information available.

Do you know this man? He's wanted by the Batavia Police as a suspect in a larceny at Alberty Drug Store on East Main Street, Batavia.

The incident occurred Wednesday about 6:30 p.m The suspect was last seen on foot heading toward Jackson Street.

No word on what he is suspected of stealing.

Anyone with information can contact the Batavia Police Department at (585) 345-6350.

Local law enforcement agencies conducted a sweep of the area last night checking on registered sex offenders and convicts on probation or parole.

In all, about 100 people received an unexpected visit from a plain clothes or uniformed cop.

Five arrests were made on outstanding warrants and nine people were found out of compliance with the terms of their release.

A total of 50 registered sex offenders had their current addresses verified.

Sixteen people out of jail under the supervision of Genesee Justice were checked, and three people were reportedly found out of compliance of the terms of their release. Those cases were referred to Genesee Justice for further review.

Fifteen people under the supervision of the county probation department were checked, and two were reportedly found out of compliance of the terms of their release. The investigation is continuing on these cases.

Eighteen New York parolees were checked on and four were reportedly found out of compliance of the terms of their parole. The investigation is continuing on these cases.

Arrested on outstanding warrants were five Batavians: 

• Gary Amarosa, 52, of 4029 W. Main St. Road.
• Thomas Kennelly, 26, of 16 Maple St.
• Raquel Ramos, 29, of 329 Ellicott St.
• Ballard Maye, 23, of 35 Maple St.
• Kirk Frye, 20, of 3207 Pratt Road

Participating in the sweep were City of Batavia Police, Genesee County Probation, New York State Division of Parole, Genesee County Sheriff's Office, Genesee County Local Drug Enforcement Task Force.

A Le Roy man allegedly stole marijuana from a suspected drug dealer, who then brought friends back from Batavia, leading to a fight at 31 Myrtle St., Le Roy, on Jan. 23.

Sought in connection with the fight is James J. Santiago Jr., 30, of 31 Myrtle St., Le Roy. The arrest warrant charges him with robbery 3rd (stealing the marijuana), assault 2nd and criminal possession of a weapon 3rd. (Santiago is pictured left.)

Already in custody is Ronald G. Carney, 21, of 1990 Genesee Street Road, Corfu. Carney, who reportedly suffered a three-inch cut to his neck in the fight, is charged with burglary 2nd. Carney is accused of entering Santiago's home with the intent to commit a crime. He was jailed on $1,000 bail. (Carney is pictured below.)

According to Le Roy Police Det. John Condidorio, two Le Roy residents ordered two ounces of marijuana from a dealer in Batavia. The deal was to take place around 10 p.m. in a parking lot on Lake Street. As the deal went down, Santiago allegedly stole the marijuana and fled with two other men.

The person who had the marijuana stolen called friends in Batavia. He then returned to Batavia and met up with five other people, and all six reportedly returned to Le Roy with the intent of recovering the marijuana.

The six individuals arrived in Le Roy and walked into Santiago's home and reportedly confronted Santiago. Santiago allegedly refused to return the marijuana, and the confrontation reportedly became physical.

Police say the weapons used in the fight included a knife and golf clubs.

There were initially reports of shots fired, but Le Roy Police have been unable to corroborate the use of a gun in the incident.

A total of nine people were involved in the alleged melee.

The six people who attempted to retrieve the marijuana fled the scene without it, according to police.

A total of three people, including Carney, suffered knife cuts and were treated and released at area hospitals, according to police.

The investigation is continuing and further arrests are pending.

The Le Roy Police are seeking the public's help in locating Santiago.

Tiffany A. Kent, 21, of 18 East Ave., Batavia, is charged with menacing 2nd and harassment 2nd. Kent allegedly struck another person in the face with a broomstick. She was jailed on $500 bail.

Joseph Martin Blatchley, 31, of 3233 Pratt Road, Lot 26B, Batavia, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Blatchley was arrested by Deputy Christopher Parker following a complaint by his ex-girlfriend, who reported seeing marijuana or a pipe in his sunroom during a visit with their child.

Accidents from the State Police blotter:

9:12 a.m., Jan 27, Galloway Road, Batavia, two vehicles; Driver 1: Timothy R. Battaglia, 29, of Batavia; Driver 2: Bernadine Lindquist, 74, of Basom. No injuries. No citations reported.

3:04 p.m., Jan. 27, Oakfield, one vehicle; Driver 1: Juan C. Villegasmora, 24, of Batavia. No injuries. No citations reported.

"Fulge and Giesy" doesn't quite have the poetic ring of "Bonnie and Clyde," but the Rochester couple are allegedly partners in crime.

The duo was reportedly caught in the act this afternoon of allegedly burglarizing a home on Griswold Circle in Le Roy.

Operating on a tip from the Monroe County Sheriff's Department, members of the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, the Le Roy Police Department and the Genesee County Local Drug Enforcement Task Force were quickly on scene at 2:50 p.m. after Benjimin Giesy, 31, allegedly entered the a home at 7878 Griswald Circle.

Lindsey M. Fulge, 27, reportedly sat in the getaway car waiting for Giesy.

Giesy had allegedly broken down the front door of the house to gain entry and had already allegedly stolen jewelry, silver and coins from the residence.

When law enforcement officers arrived, they took Fulge in custody first and then entered the house to apprehend Giesy.

Giesy reportedly tried escaping by jumping from a first-floor window. He was quickly apprehended without further incident.

Fulge and GIesy were also allegedly found in possession of a small amount of heroin, hypodermic needles and marijuana.

Both were charged with burglary 2nd, grand larceny 4th, criminal mischief 3rd, possession of a hypodermic instrument, criminal possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of marijuana.

Monroe investigators have been working on a string of burglaries involving Rochester residents hitting Genesee, Ontario and Wyoming counties.

All items allegedly taken from today's burglary were recovered.

Fulge's bail was set at $50,000 and bail for Giesy is $100,000.

An alleged would-be burglar has just been busted on Griswold Road.

Law enforcement (probably Sheriff's Deputies and State Troopers) officers on scene were setting up to take the suspect while he was still in the house.

A female was reportedly waiting in a car outside the house.

It's unclear how law enforcement became aware of the burglary in progress. Several units responded to the scene.

The owner was not apparently home and officials did not have contact information for him.

UPDATE: While the initial call said "Griswold Road," it was actually Griswold Circle in Le Roy. You can read the arrest report here.