Blasdell Police Lt. Joseph A. Gramaglia told the Village Board on Wednesday that the intervention of residents was pivotal in apprehending a suspect in a triple burglary last week.
The break-ins, all on McGurk Avenue, were halted when the homeowner at the third residence surprised the intruder. He was scared off, but residents helped both the Blasdell and Lackawanna police zero in on the suspect, Adam E. Krytus, 25, of West Seneca, when he took off on his bicycle and slipped into a trailer park.
Once police caught up with Krytus, they were able to recover items from two of the three break-ins, Gramaglia said.
“We had great resident intervention, and we were able to quickly apprehend the suspect,” the lieutenant said.
Krytus, already on probation, was originally charged with one count of burglary but will likely be charged with additional counts, Gramaglia said.
The lieutenant also warned residents to be more diligent about keeping their windows closed when they’re not at home during the warm-weather months.
In another police matter, Gramaglia thanked the board for purchasing a new bicycle for patrol purposes. The Trek bicycle went into service Wednesday at the opening of the village’s Farmers’ Market and will be used when a Blasdell officer attends the police bike school at the University at Buffalo later this summer. The department’s old bike broke while an officer was training at the event last year.
Gramaglia described the bike patrol program as “aggressive.”
In other matters, Deputy Mayor Louis A. McDonald encouraged residents to join the village cleanup Saturday. Volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. in Firemen’s Memorial Park on Lake Avenue, where cleanup gear will be available along with coffee, doughnuts and water.
At noon, all Blasdell volunteers are invited to attend a hot dog roast with Hamburg volunteers at Town of Hamburg Hall, 6100 South Park Ave.
Also, the state Department of Transportation will begin roadwork on Lake and South Park avenues June 1. Village Administrator Janet L. Plarr said residents will be notified as more information becomes available.
The break-ins, all on McGurk Avenue, were halted when the homeowner at the third residence surprised the intruder. He was scared off, but residents helped both the Blasdell and Lackawanna police zero in on the suspect, Adam E. Krytus, 25, of West Seneca, when he took off on his bicycle and slipped into a trailer park.
Once police caught up with Krytus, they were able to recover items from two of the three break-ins, Gramaglia said.
“We had great resident intervention, and we were able to quickly apprehend the suspect,” the lieutenant said.
Krytus, already on probation, was originally charged with one count of burglary but will likely be charged with additional counts, Gramaglia said.
The lieutenant also warned residents to be more diligent about keeping their windows closed when they’re not at home during the warm-weather months.
In another police matter, Gramaglia thanked the board for purchasing a new bicycle for patrol purposes. The Trek bicycle went into service Wednesday at the opening of the village’s Farmers’ Market and will be used when a Blasdell officer attends the police bike school at the University at Buffalo later this summer. The department’s old bike broke while an officer was training at the event last year.
Gramaglia described the bike patrol program as “aggressive.”
In other matters, Deputy Mayor Louis A. McDonald encouraged residents to join the village cleanup Saturday. Volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. in Firemen’s Memorial Park on Lake Avenue, where cleanup gear will be available along with coffee, doughnuts and water.
At noon, all Blasdell volunteers are invited to attend a hot dog roast with Hamburg volunteers at Town of Hamburg Hall, 6100 South Park Ave.
Also, the state Department of Transportation will begin roadwork on Lake and South Park avenues June 1. Village Administrator Janet L. Plarr said residents will be notified as more information becomes available.