Quantcast
Channel: The Buffalo News - police
Viewing all 8077 articles
Browse latest View live

Arrest made in gang assault

$
0
0
A 19-year-old Winspear Avenue man is being held on gang assault and other charges as the first of five suspects who allegedly bludgeoned another Winspear Avenue man during an early morning confrontation at the victim’s flat.

Derek John Burgler is also charged with second-degree menacing and criminal possession of a weapon for allegedly having used the a shovel seized as evidence by Buffalo police following the alleged attack on the victim at about 2 a.m. Sunday. The victim was taken to ECMC by a Rural/Metro ambulance crew for treatment of nose and facial injuries he suffered in the attack, the motive of which has not been disclosed.

Burgler was allegedly identified by the victim at the scene of the attack near Main Street and police continue to search for four other men who allegedly took part in the attack.

Man, 49, seriously injured in bicycle-car accident

$
0
0
A bicyclist suffered serious injuries when struck by a car Tuesday evening at the intersection of West Ferry and Barton streets, Buffalo police reported.

At 7:10 p.m., the bicyclist, a 49-year-old man, was riding south on Barton and proceeded through the intersection without yielding the right of way, according to D District Chief Anthony Barba. The bicyclist was struck by an automobile headed westbound on West Ferry, Barba said.

The bicyclist was taken to Erie County Medical Center, where he was listed in serious condition, police said.

No charges were placed against the driver, Barba said.

email: jkwiatkowski@buffnews.com

6 N.Y. senators secretly taped in corruption probe

$
0
0
ALBANY – Court papers unsealed Wednesday in Brooklyn revealed the names of nine people including six state senators who were secretly recorded by a fellow senator last summer as part of a corruption probe by federal prosecutors and the FBI.

The lawmakers, all Democrats from New York City or its suburbs, were recorded and photographed during numerous meetings with Shirley Huntley, a senator from Queens who was forced to resign following her own corruption scandal. She is to be sentenced today in a New York City courtroom.

Federal officials said they have probes under way involving eight of the nine people Huntley recorded.

The revelations continue Albany’s walk of shame, in which at least 32 state officials, most of them lawmakers, have been caught up in various scandals that resulted in arrests, resignations or some sort of penalties.

Huntley is the second lawmaker in recent weeks revealed to have worn a wire to help federal investigators in their probe of possible misconduct in the State Legislature.

The newest incident comes just two days after Sen. John Sampson, once the most powerful Democrats in the Senate and one of the state’s three-men-in-a-room governing system during 2009 and 2010, was arrested and charged with nine counts, including embezzling $440,000 from foreclosure escrow accounts to help him pay off debts from a failed 2005 campaign to become Brooklyn’s district attorney. Sampson was one of the six senators recorded by Huntley.

The others on the Huntley tape recording are Eric Adams of Brooklyn, Ruth Hassel-Thompson of Westchester County, Jose Peralta of Queens, Velmanette Montgomery of Brooklyn and Malcolm Smith, the former Senate leader from Queens who was recently arrested as part of a bribe scheme to get Republican Party backing for a New York City mayoral run.

A New York City councilman, Ruben Wills, also was named, as was Curtis Taylor, a former press aide to Smith, and Melvin Lowe, a former consultant to State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

At least two state senators were wearing wires at the behest of federal prosecutors as they walked the Capitol’s hallways and attended closed-door party gatherings and fundraisers. That has spawned a combination of worry, suspicion and jokes among legislators all this week.

Prosecutors last week revealed in court documents that Huntley captured colleagues on secret recordings, but the names were not made public. A federal judge – the same one who will sentence Huntley today for stealing state government grants – on Tuesday ordered the names released.

The Assembly canceled Wednesday morning’s session, though officials say it was because lawmakers were attending a previously planned ethics training meeting. The Senate held its regular session, though senators left town well before the 2 p.m. deadline.



email: tprecious@buffnews.com

Cadaver search on West Side ends abruptly

$
0
0
After a 20-minute search of backyards, officers of the FBI, State Police and their cadaver dogs left without commenting at about 2 p.m. Wednesday.

Spokesmen for State Police said nothing was found during the search, and Michael DeGeorge, Buffalo Police spokesman, said only that the search in the 100 block of the West Side street was for “evidence.”

Neighbors said FBI agents asked Tuesday for advance permission to search various backyards, saying only that it was connected to a crime committed several years ago. Police spokesmen would not say whether further cadaver searches in the neighborhood are planned.

Man sought in South Buffalo bank holdup

$
0
0
A bank robber escaped Tuesday with an undisclosed amount of cash during a mid-afternoon hold-up in South Buffalo, city police reported.

The robbery occurred just before 3 p.m. at the M&T Bank in the 2100 block of Seneca Street, reported Michael DeGeorge, a spokesman for the Buffalo Police Department.

South District police officers reported a white male demanded money from a teller and possibly fled in a tan or gold SUV.

Police describe the suspect as 5 feet 9 inches tall, clean shaven and wearing a black or blue baseball cap, dark hooded sweatshirt and sunglasses.

Anyone with information is asked to call or text the police confidential tip line at 847-2255 or send an e-mail at www.bpdny.org.

Horse dies, rider injured after collision with vehicle

$
0
0
A horse is dead and its rider was injured in an accident Monday night involving a vehicle on Route 430 in the Town of Chautauqua, according to state police.

Trooper Aaron Destro responded to a call around 9:30 p.m. after a woman was reportedly thrown from a horse in the Hamlet of Hartfield.

Investigators said the horse and rider were eastbound on Route 430 when an approaching truck struck the horse.

The rider was thrown, according to troopers, and an oncoming car avoided striking the horse, but a second vehicle struck the animal.

The unidentified horserider was flown to Hamot Medical Center in Erie, Pa. The nature of her injuries could not be determined. Police said she did not appear to be wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

No injuries were reported to the two drivers.

Amherst electrician awarded $1.97 million for construction site injury

$
0
0
Thomas Maggio, 48, an Amherst electrician, was awarded $1.97 million by a State Supreme Court jury following a five-day workplace negligence trial before Justice Patrick M. NeMoyer, court officials announced Wednesday.

Maggio suffered severe foot and lower back injuries when the floor he was working on at a business construction site at 4703 Transit Road in Depew collapsed and he fell 12 feet about 11 a.m. July 17, 2009.

Marc C. Panepinto and Michael V. Booth, Maggio’s attorneys from the Buffalo law firm of Cantor, Dolce & Panepinto said the case was against the firm of 4703 Transit Road Realty. As a result of the workplace injuries, Maggio can not return to construction work and is limited to sedentary jobs, his attorneys said. He also faces additional surgery, they added.

Police seek cause of death of a man found near Seneca Street

$
0
0
The cause of death of a man whose body was found Wednesday night behind a building in the 2300 block of Seneca Street was being sought by Buffalo Police. Officers released no other information about the death because the investigation was continuing.

Sophisticated marijuana-growing operation raided in Mayville

$
0
0
Southern Tier authorities thwarted a sophisticated marijuana-growing operation Wednesday after an early morning raid in the Village of Mayville resulted in two arrests and the recovery of $250,000 worth of marijuana.

The raid at 7:15 a.m. occurred at 7145 Plank Road, according to Chautauqua County Undersheriff Charles J. Holder, and was conducted by members of the Sheriff’s Office SWAT team and the Southern Tier Regional Task Force.

Arrested at the scene were Jerry J. Erhard, 44, and Jenell L. Long, 37, both listed as residents of that address, according to authorities.

Holder said children were present in the residence at the time of the raid.

Erhard and Long were each charged with second-degree marijuana possession, unlawfully growing marijuana, possession of a controlled substance, use of drug paraphernalia and unlawfully dealing with a child.

Additional charges may be placed, said Holder, who described the scene as a “large operation with sophisticated lighting and watering systems that forced a quicker growing cycle for the plants.”

The system used to grow the marijuana was operated with timed light and irrigation, as well as a pulley system to allow the lights to move over the plants, Holder said.

In addition to 256 marijuana plants, police recovered other marijuana processed for sale, three long guns, a large amount of cash and a quantity of suspected controlled substances.

The raid was conducted with a search warrant signed by County Judge Stephen W. Cass.

Both suspects have been released pending further charges.



email: jkwiatkowski@buffnews.com

Concord man, stopped for speeding, faces DWI charge

$
0
0
A Town of Concord man was arrested early Thursday and charged with driving while intoxicated after deputies pulled him over for speeding on Transit Road in West Seneca.

Christopher J. Masterson, 37, was also charged with speeding, driving with an open alcoholic beverage and numerous vehicle and traffic violations.

Erie County Sheriff’s Office Deputy John Szczepanski recorded the incident at 1:38 a.m.

Masterson, who was transported to the sheriff’s Elma station, had a blood alcohol level of 0.16 percent, twice the legal limit.

He was released on appearance tickets for West Seneca Court.

Foul play ruled out in man’s death

$
0
0
Police have ruled out foul play in the death of a man whose body was found Wednesday night in the 2300 block of Seneca Street, according to Michael DeGeorge, Buffalo police spokesman.

The man, whose body was found behind a tavern in the 2300 block of Seneca Street, apparently had fallen earlier inside the tavern and struck his head, according to police sources. The man was then taken outside to a picnic bench, where he apparently fell again, police sources said. His body was discovered by a woman who went out to check on his well-being, sources said.

Falls man robbed at gunpoint

$
0
0
NIAGARA FALLS – A man who was outside cleaning his car in the 900 block of Ontario Street said he was thrown up against a wall and robbed at gunpoint at 1 a.m. Wednesday.

The victim said two men, both with handguns, went through his pockets and then dragged him back to his vehicle. He said they took his keys from him and one man opened the vehicle while the other held a gun to his head. He said they told him to get in, but he refused. One man hit him in the head with the butt end of the gun, he told police.

The men fled when they heard a car coming. One man was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt covering part of his face and the other was wearing an orange hat, orange shirt and jeans.

The men took an iPhone, a gold chain and a key ring with a car key and house key, police said. The total loss was estimated at $820.

Fire company treasurer accused of stealing $10,000

$
0
0
LOCKPORT – State Police arrested Donald St. Cyr Jr., 38, of Appleton, Thursday on a charge of third-degree grand larceny.

St. Cyr is the former treasurer of the South Lockport Fire Department and is accused of misappropriating $10,000 while acting at the company’s treasurer.

St. Cyr had previously resigned as treasurer and a subsequent audit of company records eventually led to the police investigation and arrest.

He was arraigned before Lockport Town Justice Raymond Schilling and released without bail. A return court date was set for June 20.

Wrong-way driver in crash killing 3 has died

$
0
0
Richard Hildebrand, the 88-year-old driver who police believe drove the wrong way on the Niagara Thruway and collided with another car, killing three men, has died.

State Police officials, who had been investigating Hildebrand’s involvement in the July 2012 crash on Grand Island, declined to comment on his death.

Hildebrand and the driver of the other car, Burhanur Rahman, 22, of Hamtramck, Mich., were the only ones to survive the two-car crash that followed Hildebrand’s northbound trip in the southbound lane of I-190.

At the time, state police said that Hildebrand may have entered the Niagara Thruway near downtown and traveled under the Peace Bridge, past a number of southbound cars, over the South Grand Island Bridge and head-on into Rahman’s car, killing three passengers in the vehicle. Shofiul Alom, 20, and Nazim Khan and Rezwan Chowdhury, both 21, also of Hamtramck, a city surrounded by Detroit, all died in the crash. A spokeswoman for Amigone Funeral Home said it could not comment on the cause of Hildebrand’s death and indicated the funeral service, planned for St. Adalbert Cemetery in Lancaster, will be private.



email: pfairbanks@buffnews.com

Two women injured in Ellington car-truck accident.

$
0
0
ELLINGTON -- Two Kennedy, New York women were taken to WCA Hospital for treatment of injuries and one of them was ticketed for failing to reduce her speed after their car crashed into a truck backing into a farm just over the crest of Waterboro Hill Road hear about 12:28 p.m. today, the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office reported.

The car driven by Donna Burdic, 62, of Kennedy struck the front end of the truck Robert Behnke Jr., 28, of Cattaraugus, was backing into a farm just over the crest of the road. Burdic was ticketed for failing to reduce her speed in driving over the crest. Burdic and her passenger, NoraJo Rogers, 40, of Kennedy, were both taken by ambulance to WCA for treatment of injuries. Burdic faces proceedings in Ellington Town Court later this month.

Charges dismissed against UB professor

$
0
0
Charges of disorderly conduct were dropped Thursday against an adjunct professor at the University at Buffalo.

Amherst Town Justice Mark G. Farrell dismissed the charge against Laura Curry stemming from her confrontation with university police last month during a student pro-life rally near the student union on the North Campus.

Curry, who is also a graduate student at UB, used profanity to voice her objections to images on display during the pro-life demonstration, which led to her heated exchange and arrest.

The incident even attracted some national attention, because it was caught on video and posted to the Internet.

“I can swear because that’s part of my vocabulary and that’s part of my First Amendment right,” Curry is overheard telling UB police. “Where does it say I cannot use the ---- word in public? Where does it say that? What law says that?”

Curry, who was reached after her court appearance Thursday, was happy the charge was dismissed, but said she wants to continue a dialogue with the university about ensuring free speech on all sides of an issue.

“If this is something that the University at Buffalo is going to protect, and drop in on the campus without warning,” Curry said in reference to the pro-life display, “then you better be ready for a reaction.”

Man surrenders peacefully after standoff with police

$
0
0
A 30-year-old man Dorris Avenue man was charged with assault, harassment and menacing after a two-hour standoff with police Thursday morning.

At about 9:30 a.m., 911 calls from the first block of the street in the Bailey-Delavan section began coming in about a man with a weapon. The Buffalo Police SWAT Team was called and police were told a woman had run from her home in pajamas begging neighbors for help. The man, whose name has not been made public, ultimately surrendered peacefully.

Niagara County Board of Elections deputy commissioner pleads guilty to drunken driving

$
0
0
NORTH TONAWANDA – Board of Elections Deputy Commissioner Michael J. Carney, who was pulled over for drunken driving last month, pleaded guilty Thursday in North Tonawanda City Court to a reduced charge of driving while ability impaired.

Carney, of North Tonawanda, was pulled over by police on East Robinson Street the night of April 18 and found with a blood alcohol level just over the legal level of 0.08 percent.

He accepted a plea when he appeared before North Tonawanda City Judge William R. Lewis, who noted that Carney had no prior convictions in the past 10 years and there was no accident involved. Carney was sentenced to pay a $200 fine and $250 surcharge, and his license was suspended for 90 days, but he will be allowed to seek a conditional license. He must also participate in the Drinking and Driving Program and attend a Victim Impact Panel class.

Mary Ann Casamento, the Republican commissioner on the Niagara County Board of Elections, said Carney was suspended as the Republican deputy commissioner and was put on unpaid administrative leave following the charge, and he remains suspended.

Carney said after court that he believes it is a 30-day suspension. However, Peter Lopes, the county director of human resources, said there was no time limit on suspensions.

“It is necessary to evaluate the case. If it takes longer than 30 days, then the suspension can be extended. This is a pending matter,” Lopes said.

Carney did not comment in court but afterward said, “It’s an unfortunate incident, and I am apologizing for it.” In a written statement he submitted to the media, he admitted that he has had a problem with alcohol.

“The night I was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, I made the terrible choice to drink at a local establishment and get behind the wheel of my car. I am profoundly sorry for my actions,” he wrote. “The fact is 19 years ago I faced the reality that I have a problem with alcohol and joined Alcoholics Anonymous. I did not have a drink for more than 15 years and attended meetings regularly. Under the misguided notion that I would be able to control my drinking, I began to reintroduce alcohol into my life.”

Carney stated that what happened was a “grievous error” and he planned to use the time during his leave of absence to enter alcohol rehabilitation.

“I am sorry to my wife and family for the embarrassment this causes and to the community for my poor judgment and decision,” he wrote.

Carney’s attorney, Michael J. Ingham, told The Buffalo News after court, “He was a real man about it. It was a very marginal reading and he didn’t ask for any special treatment. He didn’t make any demands to be treated any different than anyone else.”

Carney served for three years on the North Tonawanda School Board beginning in 2008, stepped down and then lost in a bid to regain a seat this past year.

In 2009, he was appointed a clerk for the Board of Elections and was appointed deputy commissioner in 2010.



email: nfischer@buffnews.com

Man sentenced to 25 years in prison for fatal stabbing

$
0
0
A Town of Tonawanda man who stabbed his girlfriend to death was sentenced Thursday to 25 years in prison.

State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller sentenced Edmund M. Serwinowski, 22, of Blackmore Street, to the maximum prison term for his first-degree manslaughter conviction.

Authorities initially charged Serwinowski with second-degree murder after the Dec. 16 stabbing of 34-year-old Jennifer Sacaridis.

Prosecutors offered Serwinowski a reduced plea to manslaughter given his psychiatric history and the wishes of the victim’s family, said Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita III.

“Plus, he got the max,” Sedita said of the prison sentence.

Serwinowski in March pleaded guilty to the manslaughter charge.

The couple lived near each other and had been dating for about a month when town police were called to a Blackmore Street apartment at about 4:55 a.m. on a Sunday. Police found Serwinowski outside near the apartment.

Sacaridis was pronounced dead in Kenmore Mercy Hospital shortly thereafter.

A week before the fatal stabbing, Serwinowski had been admitted into the psychiatric unit at Erie County Medical Center, Sedita said. Police encountered Serwinowski in an incident involving another woman, who declined to press charges against him. But Serwinowski’s bizarre behavior prompted police to take him to ECMC, Sedita said.



email: citydesk@buffnews.com

Scam artist with history of deception arrested again by Cheektowaga police

$
0
0
A scam artist with a history of deception has been arrested again by Cheektowaga police, who said this time he’s faking car problems to make some easy money.

Brian Davis, 51, of Bailey Avenue, was arrested after two April incidents in which drivers were asked for a jump to start a car, police said.

Davis’ story went like this, according to Police Capt. Jim Speyer: “Do you mind giving me a jump? My car is broken down.” “Davis then jumps into the passenger side of the vehicle and gives the driver directions,” Speyer said. “He’s not invited into the car. He forces himself in and tells the driver how to get to his ‘disabled’ vehicle.”

Of course, the vehicle is not there. Speyer said Davis does not appear to own a vehicle, judging from the report of a victim who followed Davis after being scammed out of $20.

“In most cases, people can’t get him out of the car until they give him money,” Speyer said. “He’s always lying. He’ll keep leading the driver to different locations in search of a vehicle that does not exist.”

It’s at that point, according to the police captain, that Davis makes his pitch for cash.

“Actually what I need is $15 to get my car fixed,” Davis will say to the driver, according to Speyer. “A lot of times they give it to him. A lot of times they won’t.”

The first incident happened April 12 at the Tops Market at 3865 Union Road in Cheektowaga, police reported.

A 30-year-old man was leaving the store when Davis approached him, asking for a jump. The man agreed, and Davis immediately hopped into the car. Once on Union Road, Davis kept changing the location of his disabled vehicle, and then he asked for cash.

The driver eventually gave him $20, then followed him.

On April 19, Davis struck at the Walmart in the Thruway Plaza.

This time a 26-year-old man agreed to help Davis with his disabled car. The driver then gave Davis $3, but Davis demanded more.

“Davis would not get out, so the victim eventually handed over 50 cents in change,” Speyer said.

Cheektowaga Police Officer Jacob Wodowski caught up with Davis in a grocery store at the Thruway Plaza and took him into custody.

Davis faces two counts of scheming to defraud.

“He’s a scam artist is what he is,” Speyer said.

“We’ve been fortunate nobody has been hurt, but if it continues, someone may get hurt.”

Cheektowaga police advise drivers to keep their doors locked.

But what if someone still manages to jump into your car?

“Drive to a police station,” Speyer said. “Or take the keys, leave the car and call 911.”



email: jkwiatkowski@buffnews.com
Viewing all 8077 articles
Browse latest View live


<script src="https://jsc.adskeeper.com/r/s/rssing.com.1596347.js" async> </script>