Niagara Falls Police Blotter

(Ed. Note: Thanks to the good offices of Niagara Falls Police Lieutenant Kelly Rizzo, we have been treated to a potpourri of crime in the city. He sends us emails every day. To give the people of this city a sample of the kind of crime the police are faced with, a high proportion of which are crimes of utter stupidity, the Reporter has undertaken the task of listing every crime we know of during a five day period based on Lt. Rizzo's emails. Read it and weep, as the expression goes.)

The following is a brief recitation and summary of the Niagara Falls Police Department’s incident reports. Some of the defendants who were arrested in connection with these incidents are listed, and more information about the defendant can be obtained in the “Arrests” section of this police blotter.

SHOOTINGS

Bystander shot

ROBBERY

Sandal-wearing ‘16-year-old’ robs bank

•A little after noon on June 19, a man walked into First Niagara Bank on Main Street and handed the teller a note, which stated that he was 16 years old, was in trouble and has a .38-cal handgun. The note demanded that $12,000 in cash be handed over without being placed in a bag with a dye-pack inside. The teller handed the suspect the cash, and he calmly walked out of the bank and fled on foot, down the alley along the east side of the bank. Based on video surveillance, the dark-skinned black male was approximately 20 to 30 years old and was wearing a white, un-tucked, collared shirt that was buttoned all the way to the top, a newsboy-style cap, khaki pants, a small necklace, mirrored sunglasses and sandals with socks.

Robbed by Friends

• A man was beaten and robbed of his cash by two acquaintances on the afternoon of June 20 on Cleveland Avenue. The victim reported he knew the two male suspects and had given them car rides in the past. However, after the two men observed the victim counting money at a corner store at 18th Street and Niagara Avenue and subsequently asked for a car ride, one of the men pulled out a knife and demanded the victim’s cash. The victim ran from the vehicle, screaming “Help, help,” but was ultimately tackled in some bushes, beaten and alleviated of his cash. Police appear to know the identity of at least one of the suspects.

ASSAULT

• A man walking his dog at 11 p.m. on June 16 at 30th Street and Monroe Avenue was reportedly attacked by multiple suspects, three of whom are known to the victim. The men punched and kicked the victim to the ground, where the attack continued. One of the suspects allegedly slashed the victim’s arm with a knife. During the attack, the victim’s dog also bit the victim several times. According to the victim, one of the known suspects pulled out a shotgun with a flashlight attached to the barrel, pointed the gun at him and asked, “How do you like this?” Victim states that he has had problems with the known suspects for years, but he does not know what triggered this latest incident.

How about "patron sorry for smashing bottle on owner's head?"

• Police observed a bar fight beginning at Unc’s Tavern, in which one man had been thrown out of the bar and was trying to return inside while another man grabbed him to prevent him from doing so. When one officer appeared on the scene and ordered the two men to stop fighting, they ignored the officer. The two punched, grabbed and kicked one another, knocking out a window pane and pinning the officer against a railing. The officer, who was in fear of being injured, was ultimately able to subdue one of the men, but the other man escaped. The subdued man had apparently been kicked out of the bar for hitting the bar owner over the head with a beer bottle. He later stated to police, “He was grabbing me and trying to throw me out of the bar. I was trying to get to my sister who was cut. So yeah, I cracked him upside the head with a bottle. I feel really bad about it. I know him. We’re friends. I go in there to drink all the time. …I’m sorry, man. It was my sister. You’d do the same thing. I don’t fight with the police.” Robert J. Ferguson was arrested on June 16.

Agitated patient snaps

• A program assistant and a registered nurse at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center were assaulted on June 13 by an agitated patient who was pacing around the room with fists clenched. The patient then “snapped,” grabbing the nurse by the throat and punching her in the face, and then taking the program assistant into a room where the patient punched and kicked her repeatedly. The employees eventually escaped, locked the patient in a room, and called police.

Machete Mayhem

• Police responded on June 16 to a scene on 24th Street where a man claimed his neighbor was outside his home holding a machete and screaming his name. The machete-wielding man stated, “I will hurt you if anyone messes with me.” Machete man later told police that he did these things, but only because he was in fear for his life.

Beaten woman escapes

• Police were flagged down June 18 by a bloodied and beaten woman on Niagara Falls Boulevard. The woman was injured, crying and fleeing a suspect whom she lives with. Police observed numerous injuries on the victim’s face, which according to the victim, came from her boyfriend’s repeated attacks earlier that day. According to the woman, her intoxicated boyfriend became enraged over an unknown text message and pushed the victim to the bed, where he repeatedly punched her in the face and covered her mouth to muffle her screams. He then broke a glass candle holder on her back, held up another piece of glass and stated, “I hope the next one cuts your head open and you die.” The man reportedly called the victim a “b***h” repeatedly throughout the attack and stated several times, “Tonight you die. … Tonight is the night I am going to kill you, b***h.” After the attack subsided, the man stated, “You stupid b***h, clean that s**t up,” and told her to clean up the glass and take a shower to wash off the blood. While the victim showered, the man ripped open the shower curtain and held a pointed potato-peeler at her and stated again, “Tonight is the night you die.” After the shower, the victim was ordered to accompany the man down Niagara Falls Boulevard to see their landlord, at which point the victim fled on foot and found police. The suspect was subsequently arrested and denied the attack.

Intoxicated pregnant woman ‘doored’ after bar fight

• An intoxicated woman who is four months pregnant said she got into a dispute on June 16 at Braggs bar on Ferry Avenue. Subsequently in an alley outside the bar, the intoxicated pregnant woman said she was hit with the driver’s side door of a moving car that was driven by one of the women she had fought with. The intoxicated pregnant woman stated that the vehicle was traveling at about 10 mph when the driver opened the door and hit her. The intoxicated pregnant woman suffered lacerations and bruises to her face, chest, legs and arms.

Armed man apprehended after foot chase

• Police apprehended an armed suspect at 3:27 a.m. on June 16 after a lengthy foot chase. After Officer Fleck witnessed Lt. Conti involved in a foot pursuit of suspect down College Avenue near Highland Avenue, Officer Fleck pursued the suspect in his patrol car underneath the College Avenue via duct. When suspect ran towards the railroad tracks, where he discarded the handgun, Officer Fleck continued the pursuit on foot for another 50 yards before suspect stopped and surrendered on a lawn at Ethiel Avenue and Bell Street. Nearby, police recovered a black, .25-cal handgun with six bullets. The suspect reported he had witnessed a racially motivated beating at 3M’s bar earlier in the night and that the gun was dropped by one of the attackers. The suspect claimed he only picked up the gun because he didn’t want the beating victim to get shot. The gun was reported stolen from Allegany County. Lester Darnell Florence was arrested on June 16.

7-11 Beating

• A police officer on routine patrol observed a large group of males beating another male at 12:54 a.m. on June 16 outside a 7-Eleven on Pine Avenue. When the officer approached in his patrol car, all but one of the attackers fled. The victim, who had been grabbing something to eat with his girlfriend when he was attacked, was bloody and unconscious. The lone attacker stated that, “I went from being the peacemaker to punching him in the head; I know it was stupid, but I only hit him once.” Jamone Marquise London was arrested on June 16.

BURGLARY

Copper Heist

• Police responded at 1:47 a.m. on June 20 to the scene of a reported burglary inside a vacant house on Haeberle Avenue. Inside the basement, after police entered and searched the premises with their flashlights, they found two young suspects hiding in the basement. One of the suspects stated that, “I knew the house was vacant; we just wanted to smoke.” But police subsequently found a bag containing bathroom fixtures and copper piping that were removed from the house, as well as burglar’s tools. Steven Alan Willard, Jr., and Cameron A. Paul were both arrested on June 20.

• Police responded to the scene of a reported burglary at 2 a.m. on June 19 on Diamond Park Lane. Victim alleged his TV and PlayStation were stolen while he was involved in an argument with his girlfriend. However, when police noticed a large TV still present in victim’s living room, police wondered what TV had been stolen. The victim responded, “I don’t know what you are talking about. My TV is right here. What you mean?” Later the victim claimed again his PlayStation and another 42-inch TV were stolen, but he just didn’t notice because he was mad. Police told the man that his story made no sense and left.

Broom handle fails to stop burglar

• A 9th Street resident reported her home was burglarized on June 13 and her 32-inch, flat-screen TV was stolen from her bedroom. She believes the burglar entered her home through a window that does not lock. She does jam a broom handle above the window to prevent it from being opened, but if the window is banged hard enough, the broom handle falls out. The broom handle was on the ground when she arrived home later that night.

Diet Pepsi taken with electronics

• An 87th Street resident reported her home was burglarized sometime between June 17 and June 19. At first, the victim thought she had just misplaced the items, but later realized two laptops, an iPad Mini, an iPod Touch, a Nintendo Wii, a DVD player, a cell-phone charger, five medication pills and two Diet Pepsi’s were missing. Police discovered two small cuts in the window screen near the window latch and the victim stated that she leaves the windows open with only the screens in place.

CAR THEFT

Toyota crushed, Porsche saved

• A man told police that his 1974 Porsche and 1993 Toyota were stolen from his friend’s garage while they were waiting to be painted. However, on June 10, as the victim drove by Myles’ Junkyard on Lockport Road, he saw his friend and Mr. Myles, who stated that another man had dropped off both cars and claimed they were his. Sadly, the Toyota had already been crushed.

ATV stolen at night

• A resident of 80th Street reports that after he went to sleep at midnight on June 16, his yellow Can-Am Outlander XT 800 ATV was stolen off his trailer. The winch cable was cut and tire marks evidenced where the ATV had been dragged down the gravel driveway.

Three dirt bikes missing

• A Jerauld Avenue resident reported that sometime between June 12 and June 13 three dirt bikes were stolen from his garage. Police observed that entry to the garage appeared to be gained by popping the lock with a screwdriver jammed in the door frame.

THEFT

Crack, urine & theft

• Police responded to a report of a shoplifter on June 13 at Walmart. When police took suspect into custody, they discovered stolen items inside her waistband and a small vial of urine in her purse. Suspect stated that the clean urine was for her to use in an upcoming drug test, because she has been smoking crack-cocaine lately. Renee Kristin Evrard was arrested on June 13.

Stereo-jacking

• A man selling his car-stereo reported to police on June 13 that a potential buyer was testing out the car stereo in his older model white Cadillac and then simply started to drive away. When the seller approached the Cadillac, the suspect told him not to approach or that he would “beat his ass.” Suspect then drove away down Pine Avenue. The stereo was valued at $700.

Stealing from Sam

• Sam’s Club on Porter Road reported a female employee was caught stealing a total of $404 on three separate occasions by removing cash from her register, placing the cash under the counter and subsequently in her pocket. Kathleen M. Feroleto was arrested on June 20.

Hygienic theft

• Dollar General on Pine Avenue reported a man caught on video surveillance shoplifting Glad trash bags, Aleve pain medication and Crest toothpaste, totaling $46.50. Kenneth Earl Ellison was arrested on June 20.

Chinese tourists victimized

• Despite a large language barrier, police were able to discern that a group of Chinese tourists had two iPads, two Canon cameras and two GPS units stolen on June 18 from their tour van on Buffalo Avenue.

Failed arrest, try again

• Police responded to Express Mini Mart on 19th Street on a report of a shoplifter. However, despite handcuffing the defendant in the store, police then released the man because he had not left the store with the taken items. Failing to be arrested the first time, the man, wearing the same clothing, returned to the store and stole three packs of donuts. He successfully left the store this time and was successfully arrested. Pablo Morales was charged on June 17.

Ponderosa Smash N’ Grab

• A witness reported that on June 16 at Ponderosa restaurant on Niagara Falls Boulevard, a man exited his black Chevrolet Avalanche, smashed the window of a parked car and removed a Coach handbag. Victim reports that other than the handbag, there were no other items of value stolen.

Walmart Cart-Jacking

• A woman told police that while her and her husband shopped in the electronics section of Walmart at 1 a.m. on June 16, their shopping cart, which contained the woman’s purse, was stolen from five feet away from where they stood.

Rainbow Break-In

• A car owner reported on June 13 that their vehicle, which was parked on Rainbow Boulevard, had been broken into via damaging the passenger-door lock. One speaker was removed, and a purse containing credit cards was stolen. One of the credit cards was later used to purchase gas.

Sunoco Sign Stolen

•Surveillance footage from Bill’s Automotive shop on Main Street shows a man pulling into the shop in a newer model, red Ford F-150 pickup truck on June 19, and taking a Sunoco sign and truck trim plate from the side of the building before driving off.

VANDALISM

Road Rage

• Police responded to the scene of reported road rage on June 13 at 1st and Niagara streets. After receiving a description of the suspect’s vehicle from the alleged victim, police were able to locate the black Ford Focus. After being pulled over, the suspect claimed that he only had a verbal altercation with the victim after a tailgating incident on the Robert Moses Parkway. According to the victim, however, the suspect followed the victim and shouted, “I’m going to kick your ass!” out of his rolled-down window several times. Suspect then exited his vehicle and kicked the quarter-panel of victim’s 2013 Volkswagen Jetta, causing damage. Victim recorded the incident on his cell-phone video camera, which police subsequently viewed. William M. Breed was arrested on June 13 and also charged with DWI.

Champlain Vandals

• A vehicle’s tail light was damaged between the night of June 19 and the morning of June 20 on Champlain Avenue. Owner suspects the damage was intentional and may be caused by underage drinkers who often attend a party at a house on Rivershore Drive, and are seen walking around Cayuga Island.

• A man tells police on June 18 that white rice was put into the gas tank of his Pontiac Grand Am while it was parked in front of his girlfriend’s father’s house on Pine Avenue. The man believes it was his girlfriend’s father who sabotaged his car; the father reportedly has stated in the past, “I will get you. You will see.” The cost of the damage was estimated at $1,005.

Van Vengeance

• A mother reported on June 16 that a concrete slab was thrown through her vehicle’s windshield on Walnut Avenue. She believes her daughter and/or her daughter’s boyfriend are responsible. The mother claims that after taking cell phones away from the couple, the boyfriend asked, “Do you feel safe right now? Do you like your van?”

Slashing Retaliation

• A woman states that three tires on her GMC Envoy were slashed on June 16 on 9th Street. The woman believes the man who sells mattresses out of his house is responsible because she still owes the man $100 from a previous mattress transaction.

Early-Morning Smash

• A woman reported the rear window of her gold 1999 Chrysler 300 was smashed in the early morning hours of June 12, while the vehicle was parked on Willow Avenue.

Unknown Slasher

• A man reported that on the morning of June 13, while he went outside to walk his dog, he noticed that two of the tires on his 2008 GMC Sierrra were slashed. The vehicle had been parked in his 67th Street driveway. Victim reported that he hasn’t had problems with anyone in the area.

Young vandals chased by motorist

• A woman reported that on June 13 while she drove down Niagara Falls Boulevard in her 2005 Ford Freestar, she observed two males, approximately 12 to 14 years old, standing on the corner. As she drove past, one of the males threw an object at the woman’s windshield, causing damage. The woman then chased the young vandals in her minivan as they ran, but lost them when they fled into a 60th Street backyard.

ARRESTS

The following is a brief recitation and summary of the Niagara Falls Police Department’s arrest reports. The following report indicates what initial charges have been filed against the defendant and do not necessarily reflect what charges will ultimately be brought against the defendant in court. Furthermore, all defendants are innocent until proven guilty, and none of the below defendants have gone to trial or been convicted of the crimes listed.

June 12

Steven Henry Heylek, 31, of Niagara Falls, was arrested on June 12 on 8th Street and charged with burglary, criminal mischief and petit larceny.

June 13

Rubin Phillip Dexter, 29, of Niagara Falls, was arrested on Packard Court for a domestic incident and charged with assault with a weapon, attempted assault and criminal contempt.

Rollie McGill Jr., 43, of Niagara Falls, was arrested on Zito Drive for a domestic incident and charged with stalking, grand larceny and criminal obstruction of a person’s breathing.

Joseph Leonard Burton, 23, of Niagara Falls, was arrested on Ely Avenue for a domestic incident and charged with stalking, menacing and criminal contempt.

Gracie Jean Coleman, 48, of Niagara Falls, was arrested on Cudaback Avenue and charged with robbery.

James Marquice Rayford, 42, of Niagara Falls, was arrested on North Avenue and charged with failure to appear. Bail was set at $1,500.

Renee Kristin Evrard, 26, of Niagara Falls, was arrested on Military Road and charged with petit larceny. Bail was set at $250.

William M. Breed, 42, of Niagara Falls, was arrested on Niagara Street and charged with a DWI and criminal mischief. Bail was set at $750.

June 16

Robert J. Ferguson, 30, of Niagara Falls, was arrested on Ferry Avenue and charged with assault, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

Lester Darnell Florence Jr., 25, of Niagara Falls, was arrested at Bell Street and Ethyl Avenue and charged with possession of a weapon, possession of stolen property, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

Jamone Marquise London, 24, of Niagara Falls, was arrested on Pine Avenue and charged with assault.

June 17

Pablo Morales, 32, of Niagara Falls, was arrested on 19th Street and charged with criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument and petit larceny.

June 18

Stacy Marie Boos, 40, of Niagara Falls, was arrested on Niagara Falls Boulevard and charged with violation of conditional discharge.

Kristallia Chennelle Baker, 24, of Niagara Falls, was arrested on Main Street and charged with failure to appear.

Michael Anthony Cook, 28, of Niagara Falls, was arrested on Main Street and charged with failure to appear.

Julie Lynn Coulter, 32, of Niagara Falls, was arrested on Beech Avenue and charged with grand larceny.

Vincent Jackson, 50, of Niagara Falls, was arrested on 19th Street for a domestic incident and charged with assault, aggravated criminal contempt, harassment and endangering the welfare of a child.

Clifton Anton Brown, 46, of Niagara Falls, was arrested on Niagara Falls Boulevard for a domestic incident and charged with assault, harassment, menacing and obstruction of a person’s breathing.

Curtis Lee Cheeley, 52, of Niagara Falls, was arrested on Pine Avenue and charged with two counts of DWI, equipment violations and possession of an alcoholic beverage in a vehicle. Bail was set at $300.

June 19

Tyrone Latif Flournoy, 29, of Niagara Falls, was arrested on South Avenue and charged with failure to appear. Bail was set at $1,000.

Jeffrey James Basil, 35, of Amherst, was arrested on Main Street and charged with assault and harassment.

Raymond James Gordner, 24, of Niagara Falls, was arrested on Main Street for a domestic incident and charged with assault.

Stacey Lynn Jordan, 31, of Niagara Falls, was arrested on Main Street and charged with harassment.

Joseph William Bresko, 37, of Niagara Falls, was arrested on 100th Street for a domestic incident and charged with stalking, burglary and criminal contempt.

Adaberto Oliveri-Perez, 22, of Niagara Falls, was arrested on Hyde Park Boulevard and charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of marijuana.

Tyler Avery Snickles, 22, of Niagara Falls, was arrested on 3rd Street and charged with violation of parole.

Jose D. Garcia, 54, of Niagara Falls, was arrested on Niagara Street and charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance.

Salih Abdul Muhammad Young, 30, of Niagara Falls, was arrested on Main Street and charged with failure to appear.

June 20

Anthony Michael Scarfone, 28, of Niagara Falls, was arrested on Niagara Falls Boulevard and charged with violation of parole.

Steven Alan Willard Jr., 21, of Niagara Falls, was arrested on Haeberle Avenue and charged with burglary, criminal mischief and possession of burglar’s tools.

Cameron A. Paul, 19, of Niagara Falls, was arrested on Haeberle Aveneue and charged with burglary, criminal mischief and possession of burglar’s tools.

Arik Anthony Iannone, 36, of Niagara Falls, was arrested on Main Street and charged with failure to appear.

Alexander Spence Wisby, 24, of Wilson, was arrested on Main Street and charged with failure to appear and grand larceny.

Anthony L. Hill Jr., 23, of Niagara Falls, was arrested on Main Street and charged with criminal mischief, petit larceny and automobile stripping.

Antwon Fahta Washington, 35, of Niagara Falls, was arrested on Main Street for a domestic incident and charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle and criminal mischief.

Leroy Stanley Whitfield, 48, of Niagara Falls, was arrested on Main Street and charged with trespassing and petit larceny.

Kenneth Earl Ellison, 53, of Niagara Falls, was arrested on Pine Avenue and charged with petit larceny.

Gary P. Zimmerman, 55, of Niagara Falls, was arrested on Cleveland Avenue and charged with violation of parole.

June 21

Justin S. Pardee, 18, of Niagara Falls, was arrested on Buffalo Avenue for a domestic incident and charged with petit larceny.

Kathleen M. Feroleto, 21, of North Tonawanda, was arrested on Porter Road and charged with petit larceny. Bail was set at $100.