crime

Here in Batavia, we've had a bit of a problem recently with a thief or thieves breaking into unlocked cars and taking whatever isn't screwed down.

It doesn't just happen in Batavia, of course.  Places like Fargo, N.D. have thieves, too.

Of course, our thieves don't leave notes telling car owners they should have locked their car.

Neary was about to leave for work Wednesday morning when he discovered a note on a B.B. King CD sitting on the console of his unlocked 1999 Cadillac Escalade in his south Fargo driveway.

“You have amazing taste in music,” the note read. “Don’t worry about your credit cards and driver’s license – I know I can’t use them … after tonight at least. Seriously though, lock your car in the future.”

Sure enough, four of Neary’s bank cards were gone along with his license, $60 in cash and a flashlight. The wallet was still inside the vehicle along with Neary’s Social Security card. A GPS unit inside another family car also was taken.

Neary had left the keys in the ignition of his SUV, his wallet in the console and the doors unlocked.

James H. Payne, 21, of 7017 E. Quaker St., Orchard Park, was charged with DWI and with driving with a BAC of .08 or greater following a traffic stop for allegedly failing to dim his headlights on Route 98 in the Town of Batavia at 2:34 a.m..

Wanda J. Jimerson, 32, of Irving (no address given) was arrested by Corfu Police early this morning following a traffic stop and charged with DWI. Jimerson was also issued a ticket for allegedly avoiding a traffic-control device.

Brian S. Weissinger, 39, of 88 Williston Road, Rochester, was reportedly observed in the VIP parking lot of Darien Lake Theme Park and Resort and was advised not to drive. Moments later he was allegedly observed driving his 2001 Dodge Intrepid. Weissinger was charged with DWI and driving with a BAC of .08 or greater.

While Lynyrd Skynyrd and Kid Rock rocked the house at Darien Lake Theme Park last night, law enforcement officials were kept hopping, busting more than 100 people on a variety of charges.

Ninety-six of the arrests were made for under-age drinking in a parking lot known as "The Hill," where there have been previous complaints of teen-age boozing. Deputy Chief Gordon Dibble said it will continue to be an area of increased enforcement at future concerts.

Other arrests:

Michael J. Morrison, 30, of 5753 Sunny Lea Crescent, Niagara Falls, charged with trespass for allegedly entering the back stage area.

Patrick E. S. Churchill, 20, of 32 Vacleef St., Seneca Falls, was charged with disorderly conduct for allegedly urinating in the concert venue. He was released on $100 bail.

Adam S. Hamilton, 23, of 68 Curwood Drive, Tonawanda, was charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly burning debris inside the concert venue.

Michael E. Broccolo, 42, of 480 Pinnacle Road, Rochester, was charged with trespass after allegedly refusing to leave the parking lot after being told to leave the premises.

Daniel D. Dangelantonio, 26, of 302 Barrington St., Apt. 1, Rochester, was charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly shoving and punching a security guard while being removed from the concert area.

Ryan J. Deneka, 24, of 177 Heritage Farm Road, W. Seneca, was charged with disorderly conduct for allegedly climbing a fence inside the venue.

Peter H. Scrooby, 33, of 210 Pattenwood Drive, Irondequoit, was charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly fighting with security while being escorted from the concert venue. He was held on $200 bail.

Anthony F. Pero, 39, of 1 Sahara Drive, Rochester, was charged with harassment after allegedly fighting with a security guard in the VIP area. He was held on $200 bail.

Arlin J. Reyes, 26, of 1735 Townsend Ave., Apt. C3, Bronx, was charged with harassment after allegedly pushing a security guard. He was held on $300 bail.

Jamie E. Otto-Trott, 24, of 153 Park Ave., Apt. 2, Rochester, was charged with two counts of harassment after allegedly striking a security guard and then, after that arrest, kicking a Sheriff's deputy in the leg. She was held on $300 bail.

NOTE: I hung out in the Darien Court for a couple of hours last night and observed three arraignments. I'll have a report on that later today.

One person has been arrested, and one suspect is still at large, in a rash of vehicle break-ins in the City of Batavia over the past month, the Batavia Police Department said this afternoon.

In a press release, the police department indicated the break-ins are ongoing -- if they can be called break-ins -- because most of the times, the cars hit have been unlocked over night.

In most cases, GPS systems and other electronics as well as money and personal checks have been stolen.

Police investigators continue to urge people to lock their vehicles and not leave anything of value insides. GPS units are of particular interest to the thieves.

The name of the suspect arrested was not released.

Tips that might lead to the arrest of suspects can be called into 345-6350 or Det. Kevin Czora at 345-6311.

UPDATE: I asked Det. Czora if the name of the suspect already in custody could be released and he said he is withholding the name while the investigation is in progress.  The release of the name, he said, could jeopardize the eventual capture of the second suspect.

I also asked him about the suggestion brought up in comments on The Batavian when we reported on these burglaries last month that the police try a sting operation, and he said that wouldn't necessarily work in this case because the thieves are operating throughout the city. Their complete M.O. is to seek targets of opportunity -- unlocked cars -- which Czora said are numerous throughout the city.

"If we could just get people to start locking their cars and keeping their valuables out of their cars, it would be slimmer pickings," he said.

LaToya D. Jackson, 23, of 25 Hutchins St., Upper, Batavia, is charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Jackson allegedly caused a disturbance at Goade Park early Saturday morning about 4 a.m.. She allegedly resisted arrest while being taken into custody. Jackson was placed in Genesee County Jail on $2,000 bail.

Brandt L. Arnold, 28, of 752 Reynolds Road, Darien, is charged with harassment. Arnold allegedly grabbed a woman by her wrist, dragged her to the ground and would not let her get up. He is held on $450 bail. The alleged incident occurred Sunday about 11:45 p.m..

John Nicholas Vaccaro, 21, of 7081 Transit Road, East Amherst, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Vaccaro was reportedly a passenger in a vehicle that was pulled over for an alleged traffic violation when he was allegedly found in possession of marijuana.

Andrew James Ahmad, 22, of 4120 Gunville Road, Clarence, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Ahmad was reportedly the driver of a vehicle pulled over for an alleged traffic violation. Marijuana was reportedly found in his pants' pocket.

Daniel W. Winters, 25, of 125 Kenwick, Rochester, is charged with DWI. Winters was taken into custody following a traffic stop just after midnight Sunday on Sumner Road in Darien. Winters is also charged with driving with a BAC of .18 or greater and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. His license was reportedly previously revoked. He was taken to jail on $7,500 bail.

Zachary D. Parisi, 20, of 1752 Broadway, Grand Island, is charged with DWI. Parisi was stopped on Colby Road in Darien for allegedly crossing a double yellow line while driving his 2004 Ford Mustang. Parisi was also charged with driving with a BAC of .08 or greater. The incident occurred at 10:38 p.m. Saturday.

Jesse Matthew Caudill, 28, of 5373 Wethersfield Road, Silver Springs, is accused of causing a disturbance in the beer tent of the Alexander Tractor Pull on Friday night. Caudill allegedly took an open-handed swing at Deputy J.L. Baiocco. Caudill was charged with harassment and issued an appearance ticket.

Ronald E. Quayle, Jr., 42, of 305 Mason Road, Mohawk, was charged with DWI Thursday about 11:45 p.m. following a traffic stop on Route 33 near Lovers Lane Road. Quayle was allegedly driving with a BAC of .08 or greater.  He was also issued a ticket for allegedly driving 67 m.p.h. in a 55 m.p.h. zone. and a ticket for an alleged failure to keep right.

Charles R. Engel, 39, of 1835 E. Albert St., Philadelphia, Pa., was charged with DWI for allegedly driving  while intoxicated on Main Road in Stafford early Friday morning. He was also charged with driving with a BAC of .08 or greater, aggravated unlicensed operation, speed over 55 m.p.h., driving left of pavement markings and moving from a lane unsafely.

The following arrests were reported in conjunction with the Rascal Flatts concert yesterday at Darien Lake Theme Park:

Crystal M. Parmenter, 23, of 111 Lincoln Mills Road, East Rochester, was charged with harassment for allegedly slapping another person who was in a car while exiting the concert venue.

Gaston R. Prattis, 18, of 247 Erb St. E, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, and a 17-year-old from Canada were charged with trespass for allegedly climbing into the backstage area. Each was held on $500 bail.

David B. Terrance, 23, of Wheeldon Drive, Rochester, was arrested and charged with exposure for urinating in public.

Landon B. Zeeman, 21, of 2004 Ten Concession, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, was charged with petty larceny for allegedly stealing a can of beer from a concession stand. He is held on $500 bail.

Melissa M. Thompson, 33, of 100 N. Main St., Medina, was arrested for allegedly stealing approximately $3,000 over the course of four years while working as a manager of food service at Darien Lake. She was charged with grand larceny and issued an appearance ticket.

The following individuals were also cited for ABC violations:

August C. Nienburg, 19, of 477 80th St., Niagara Falls.

Brian K. Drylewski, 19, of 474 21st St., Niagara Falls.

Jason M. Hahn, 19, of 1049 101st St., Niagara Falls.

Mark D. Bigley, 20, of 250 73rd St., Niagara Falls.

Brianna J. Cowell, 20, of 58 Coronet St., Tonawanda.

Jennifer C. Malley, 20, of 3349 Wallace Drive, Grand Island.

Carrie L. Schoeping, 18, of 3349 Wallace Drive, Grand Island.

Danielle R. Bruno, 19, of 195 Deerwood Lane, Grand Island.

Plus three people under the age of 18.

Josephine A. Boltz, 25, of 174 Burch Ave., of Buffalo, is charged with DWI following a minor property damage accident at Darien Lake Theme Park during the Nickelback concert. Boltz reportedly had a BAC of .08 or greater.

Other arrests associated with the Nickelback concert:

Joshua R. Handy, 25, of 6 Williams St., Mt. Morris, charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

Nolan R. Boughton, 24, 188 Canal St., Lyons, was charged with harassment for allegedly striking a security officer while being escorted from the concert venue.

A 16-year-old from Hamburg was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

Richard W. Randall, 32, of 4349 Cemetery Road, Marietta, was charged with charged with disorderly conduct for allegedly fighting inside the concert venue. He is held on $100 bail.

Benjamin Q. Antonucci, 18, of 4192 Broadway, Alexander, charged possession of alcohol by a person under 21.

Christopher J. Burger, 18, of 9393 Stady Road, West Valley, charged with possession of alcohol by a person under 21.

Erica A. Taylor, 31, of 1802 Lodi St., Apt. 2, Syracuse, charged with criminal possession of marijuana and endangering the welfare of a child for allegedly smoking marijuana in front of her 13-year-old daughter.

Michael Boland, 25, of 1802 Lodi St., Apt. 2, Syracuse, charged with criminal possession of marijuana and endangering the welfare of a child for allegedly smoking marijuana in front of his girlfriend's 13-year-old daughter.

Matthew J. Pentycofe, 22, of 29 Spencer Court, Batavia, charged with harassment for allegedly pushing and fighting with security guards inside the concert venue. He was held on $300 bail.

Peter B. Vanderwall III, 19, of 47 Seneca Street, Waterloo, is charged unlawful possession of marijuana and with endangering the welfare of a child for allegedly smoking and possessing marijuana in front a child under 17 years of age.

A Bergen woman is accused of stealing more than $58,000 using Internet transfers from an acquaintance.

Renee E. Rowan, 45, of 7527 Gilbert Road, Bergen, allegedly initiated four different transfers of at least $9,000 each.

Rowan was arraigned in Le Roy Town Court and is held in Genesee County Jail on $10,000 bail.

The investigation was conducted by Deputy Matthew Butler and Investigator Timothy Weis, with assistance from Deputy Joseph Graff.

UPDATE: I'm not sure if this is related or not, but a reader points out that Rowan owns staubitzofbuffalo.com (WHOIS database).  The other domains that seem affiliated with that business are registered via an off-shore source that apparently hides the true identity of the domain owners. Here's the WHOIS for hartmanmodelboats.com and loyalhannadockyard.com and taubmansonline.com. All three sites have contact information for Rowan.

UPDATE: I just spoke to Investigator Weis and he said the alleged theft was unrelated to Rowan's businesses and there is no further investigation going on related to those businesses.  He said Rowan allegedly had direct access to the victim's account, but it wasn't business related.

Karl Matthew Churchill, 29, of 6018 Main Road, Stafford, is charged with harrassment. Churchhill allegedly made a threatening phone call to the Village of Corfu Court after receiving a traffic ticket for allegedly tinted windows.

Robert E. Magoffin Jr., 37, 3717 Broadway Road, Alexander, is charged with DWI with a BAC of .08 or greater. Magoffin was allegedly doing 84 m.p.h. in a 40 m.p.h. zone on Route 20 in Darien when he was stopped.  He was ordered to appear in Darien Town Court on Aug. 18.

Daniel Nathan Bernard, 20, of 6083 Route 5, Stafford, is charged with petty larceny. Bernard is accused of stealing $60 in winning scratch-off lottery tickets from his father's locked car, which was parked at his father's house.

Eileen Barbara Ferrando, 37, of 53 W. Main St., Corfu, was picked up on a bench warrant issued in the City of Batavia for alleged unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Ferrando was turned over to the Batavia Police Department.

Scott Webb, 19, of 12 Grote St., Buffalo, is charged with petty larceny. Grote is accused of stealing game prizes from a game stand at Darien Lake Theme Park.

A 17-year-old from Corfu is accused of reckless driving and endangering the welfare of a child.  The youth allegedly drove at a high rate of speed down Chapel Street in Elba, losing control and coming within feet of striking a child riding a bicycle. The youth was issued an appearance ticket.

Darlene Ann Kingdollar, 47, of 25 S. Pearl St., Oakfield is charged with petty larceny. Kingdollar allegedly stole $20 from the purse of Kingdollar's grandson's wife while at a picnic.

Justin Adelbert Lilly, 21, of 11403 Apt. 1 Sanderson Road, Medina, was arrested in Orleans County and turned over the the Genesee County Sheriff's Office on a warrant issued in Alabama. Lilly is charged with burglary and criminal mischief.

A teen-age girl from Lockport incarcerated in Genesee County Jail reportedly punched another inmate in the face causing an injury. She is charged with assault in the second degree.

Dietrich Williams is accused of shaking the baby of a Batavia woman so violently, even hitting the infant's head against a hard service, that the baby is now in grave condition. Today Williams pleaded not guilty to charges of assault in the first degree and reckless assault of a child.

After the hearing, District Attorney Lawrence Friedman said the baby is not doing well.

"There's a lot of uncertainty right now," Friedman said. "It doesn't look good."

He said doctors fear brain damage, vision damage, whether the baby will be able to feed herself and whether she will be able to breath on her own.

Williams was reportedly living with a co-worker from a nursing home in Le Roy and was charged with watching the woman's four children while she worked a double shift.

On the night of June 20 or early morning of June 21, Williams allegedly assaulted the 15-month-old child.

The child and the mother have not been identified.

Defense Attorney Jerry Ader argued for reduced bail, stating that Williams is an employed resident of Genesee County and had only one prior misdemeanor conviction -- for unauthorized use of rental car that was returned late.

Friedman asked that Williams be held without bail, because there is a warrant for his arrest in Florida (reportedly for a bounced $100 check related to the car rental), and he has changed residence and jobs a few times over the past several months.  Friedman said he didn't believe Williams had lived in Genesee County for more than 4 1/2 months.

Since Williams hasn't appeared on a charged related to $100 check, Friedman told Judge Robert Noonan that he doubted he would appear on a felony charge where he potentially faces a 25-year prison term.

Noonan kept Williams bail at $50,000.

Daryl Jenkins of Rochester today admitted to sending threatening text messages and photos to an Oakfield woman and plead guilty to stalking in the second degree.

Judge Robert Noonan did not allow Jenkins out of jail pending sentencing. He is being held on $10,000 bail or $20,000 bond.  Noonan said he took into consideration the report of Jenkins two convictions for contempt of court as well as the nature of the messages, which Noonan characterized as showing a disregard for the authority of the court.

"I've just read a series to text messages that flaunt the law more than anything I've ever seen," Noonan said.

Among the messages, Noonan said, were those that read "I'm above the law," which Noonan said Jenkins wrote several times.

Jenkins sent messages to the Oakfield woman threatening to kill her. In one e-mail message he included a picture of a gun and threatened to use it on her.

Gene Douglas Swede, 61, of 11295 Perry Road, Pavilion, is charged with harassment. Swede is accused of jumping a fence into a neighbor's yard, yelling and cussing at the neighbor and threatening to beat up the neighbor. An order of protection was issued for Swede protecting his neighbors.

Porscha Mohogani Woods, 26, of 305 Oak St., Syracuse is charged with disorderly conduct. Woods is accused of pushing Darien Lake security guards and using vulgar language while attempting to break free of the guards following an altercation at the park on July 4 at 8:11 p.m.

A 16-year-old from Rochester was issued a ticket by Sheriff's deputies in the Town of Batavia for unlawful possession of marijuana.  The youth was walking on a road in Batavia when he was allegedly found to be in possession of marijuana.

Jazzmyne M. Heard, 21, of 965 E. Glide St., Rochester, is charged with disorderly conduct. Heard allegedly shouted obscenities while on the sidewalk on South Main St. The alleged incident occurred Thursday at 11:45 a.m.

Megan J. Dowd, 26, of 16 Church St., Le Roy, was charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly shouting obscenities in a public place. The alleged incident occurred at 337 Bank St.

James S. Gibbs, 33, of 34 Vernon Ave., Batavia is charged with criminal contempt. Gibbs allegedly made contact with a person he was ordered not to contact.

Jay R. Cummings, 23, of 10565 Harper Road, Darien, is charged with felony DWI. Cummings was stopped on West Main Street by Batavia police following a report of a road rage incident in the Town of Batavia.  Officers Coffey and Klimjack report Cummings was allegedly intoxicated. He is also charged with felony unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Cummings reportedly has a prior felony DWI conviction. He is held on $5,000 bail.

Ryan P. Sutton, 19, of 8290 Lewiston Road, Batavia, is charged with making graffiti. Batavia Police Officer Matthew Baldwin reportedly observed Sutton carving something into plastic play equipment in Pringle Park with a folding knife on Thursday night.

Stephan A. Lewis II, 29, of 541 E. Main St., is charged with petty larceny. Lewis is accused of stealing beer from Wilson Farms, 506 E. Main St.

John J. Smalley, Sr., 46, of 32 S. Main St., Oakfield, is charged with harassment. Smalley is accused of making harassing phone calls to another person. He was arrested by Batavia police officers.

Timothy Ryan McJury, 22, of 334 W. Main St., #5, is charged with petty larceny. McJury is accused of shoplifting three DVDs and a video game from Target.

Travis W. Zeidler, 29, of 502-2969 Kingsway Drive, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, is charged with DWI and DWI with a BAC of .18 or more. Zeidler was arrested following a Sheriff's Office investigation into a reported car accident inside the parking lot of Darian Lake Theme Park. Zeidler is held on $500 bail. The incident was investigated by Deputy Jason Saile.

David J. Reschke, 18, of 9741 Transit Road, Stafford, is charged with unlawful possession of alcohol by a person under 21. Reschke was reportedly found to possess alcohol following a car accident at Route 19 and Cato Street in Pavilion on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

Stephanie L. Hagen, 26, of 3259 Rose Road, Batavia, is charged with DWI. Hagen was reportedly stopped for an alleged traffic violation on Erie Road in Darien on Saturday morning about 1 a.m. She reportedly had a BAC of .08 or greater.

Ronald J. Tombari III, 21, of Pavilion, is charged with felony unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of an accident, DWI and driving with a BAC of .18 or greater. Tombari allegedly struck a parked car in Le Roy and then left the scene. Le Roy Patrolman Daryl Robb made the arrest.

Christopher H. Monfort, 37, of 113 Pine St., Rochester and Timothy M. Stone, 29, of 3735 Chili Ave., Rochester are charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance. Monfort and Stone were part of the alleged scrap metal heist earlier this week. At the time of their arrest, they were allegedly found to have crystal meth in their possession. This additional charge has now been filed.

Nathan D. Bernard, 20, of 6084 Main Road, Stafford, is charged with attempted criminal trespass. A Sheriff's deputy reported that he was dispatched to 6084 Main Road, Stafford for a possible burglary in progress where a person was trying to gain access to the building through a basement window.  The deputy allegedly found Bernard with something in his hand and he was attempting to gain entry through a backdoor.  Bernard is held on $300 bail.

Steven Edward Ball, 35, of 11 1/2 Meadowcrest Drive, Batavia, is charged with criminal contempt. Ball allegedly tried to contact his ex-girlfriend through her mother. There is reportedly an order of protection against Ball on behalf of the ex-girlfriend.

James Piersma, 49, of 7577 Townline Road, Bergen, is accused of stealing television cable service. He is charged with theft of service. Piersma allegedly stole the service between April 21 and June 24. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Joshua Bratcher, 19, of 88 Lake St., Le Roy, is charged with assault in the third degree. Bratcher allegedly fought a man from Alexander, hitting him in his face and fracturing his cheek bone. Bratcher was issued an appearance ticket.

A 17-year-old from Bergen is accused of damaging the property of another person valued at more than $250. He is charged with criminal mischief. The youth was issued an appearance ticket.

A 16-year-old from Oakfield is charged with coercion and disorderly conduct. Allegedly, the youth was involved in a domestic dispute with his mother. He allegedly threw items inside the house, threatened his mother and prevented her from entering the house.

A 50-year-old Le Roy woman previously accused of dealing drugs is now charged with murder.

Joann M. Rusby, of 92 Lake Street, Le Roy, is accused of contributing to the death of Yvonne M. Hart, 53, whom Rusby allegedly supplied with Fentanyl.

Rusby was originally arrested March 11 and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal sale of a controlled substance.

Today, Rusby was charged with manslaughter.  The charge was brought after an autopsy report by the Monroe County Medical Examiner was filed.

Le Roy investigators allege that Rusby recklessly supplied the victim with a Fentanyl patch that could cause death if not properly used and failed to notify the woman of the dangers.  The woman's death is believed to be a direct result of the Fentanyl patch.

Rusby is under supervision of Genesee Justice.

A Batavia man is accused of shaking a baby so hard that he caused serious injuries to the 15-month-old infant.

Dietrich Williams, of 14 Hutchins Place, Batavia, was indicted by the grand jury yesterday on charges of assault in the first degree and reckless assault of a child.

The incident allegedly occurred around June 20 or June 21.

Williams is being held in Genesee County Jail without bail.

The indictment reads that Williams acted "under circumstances evincing a depraved indifference to human life, recklessly engaged in conduct which created grave risk of death to another person, and thereby caused serious physical injury to another person.

Williams reportedly slammed or threw the child "so as to impact the child's head on a hard surface."

The baby has not been identified nor were details supplied on the nature and extend of the infant's injuries.

Arraignment has been set for July 7 at 9 a.m. in County Court.

Nicholas Jacob Ridge Adkins, 18, of 6954 Swamp Road, Byron, is charged with a felony count of burglary and a misdemeanor charge of petty larceny. He is accused of entering a neighboring residence and stealing property from the house. Bail is set at $2,500.

Richard Mungo, 42, 3252 Pine Terrace #3, Macedon, is charged with petty larceny. Mungo allegedly stole a variety of items from the gift shop at Darien Lake Theme Park on June 30.

David Tuttle, 69, 1 Hidden Meadows Drive, Bergen, is charged with harassment. He is accused of punching a neighbor in the face twice during an argument in front of their homes. He was arraigned in Bergen Town Court and released on his own recognizance.