Afternoon News Brief

The LeRoy Police Department reports they have arrested 46-year-old Dean Gardner Jr., of Pavilion after responding to a domestic dispute that was occurring in a vehicle on Warsaw Road in the Town of LeRoy. Following investigation, it is alleged that Gardner choked the victim until they were unable to breathe. The investigation further revealed he had allegedly grabbed a gas can from the back of his truck, opened the valve on the can and attempted to pour gasoline on the driver’s seat of the vehicle, attempting to light the vehicle on fire while the victim was in the passenger seat. The victim initially tried to call 9-1-1 but was afraid that Gardner would hear the call to police. The victim then hung up and sent a text message to the Genesee County Dispatch Center requesting help. Gardner was placed under arrest and charged with menacing 2nd, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, attempted arson 2nd degree, criminal possession of a weapon 3rd degree, and criminal possession of a weapon 4th degree. Gardner was transported to the LeRoy Police headquarters for processing. He was arraigned in LeRoy Town Court and released on his own recognizance and will re-appear in court next month (on September 15, at 2:00p.m.).

 

 

One of two men indicted by a Genesee County Grand Jury of murder in a double homicide in Alexander was arraigned on those counts in Genesee County Court this morning. 18-year-old Raul Cruz entered a not-guilty plea for the murders that occurred last March. More evidence will be coming from the crime lab; however, it was indicated there is presently substantial evidence available to prosecute the case. Cruz is being held without bail at the Genesee County Jail. The other defendant, 23-year-old Prince N.K. Wilson, is scheduled to be arraigned Friday.

 

 

Niagara County Sheriff’s tell us that a Canadian woman was killed in an accident on Lake Ontario. 32-year-old Ria Vannoort of Canfield, Ontario was attending a party on Saturday at a residence in Wilson and operating a personal watercraft just offshore. Attendees of the party noticed that Vannoort had become dismounted from the watercraft and was floating in the lake. She was transported by ambulance to Eastern Niagara Lockport Hospital where she was pronounced deceased a short time later. The investigation into the incident by the Niagara County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Bureau and Marine Unit is ongoing.

 

 

The investigation continues today into the fatal Thruway accident at the Slusser Road overpass in Pembroke. It has been determined that a 2014 Dodge Ram 3500 pulling a trailer was traveling west bound on the I-90. The Dodge exited the roadway on the right shoulder and drove through a grassy area until it struck the bridge. The trailer became detached and came to rest vertically against the overpass. Both occupants of the Dodge, 64-year-old Thomas Cartmel, of Crossville, Alabama and the passenger 67-year-old Deborah Burrelli of Rochester were pronounced deceased at the scene.

 

51-year-old Kevin Weber of Batavia has been arrested for assault in the second degree after he allegedly beat up a housemate during an argument over beer. He was arraigned in front of Judge Burns who remanded Weber to the Genesee County Jail in lieu of bail.

 

The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office report there has been an increase in larcenies from vehicles in our region. In many cases, these vehicles are parked at hiking areas, County or local parks, and/or parking lots. They believe this illegal activity is being perpetrated by what is referred to as Felony Lane Gang, a well-organized group of individuals that originated in Florida, but operates throughout the country. They specialize in ‘Smash and Grab’ larcenies, stealing purses from vehicles and using victim’s ID’s, credit cards and/or checks to commit other identity theft related crimes. The Sheriff’s Office is advising the public not to leave anything of value inside your vehicle while unoccupied. Any suspicious activity should be reported to the police immediately.

 

Police in Buffalo are investigating the shooting death this past weekend of 16-year-old Emily Keiper from Niagara Falls. The incident occurred about midnight on Elmer Avenue. Police say two teenagers — a 14-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy — have been charged with second-degree murder and first-degree robbery in her death. A GoFundMe page has been set up for the victim’s family. It had raised almost $8000 as of this morning. https://www.gofundme.com/f/emily-keiper

 

 

 

The Buffalo Bills were dominant this weekend as they rolled to a 42-to-15 victory over the visiting Denver Broncos at Highmark Stadium. Quarterback Case Keenum hit on 16 of his 18 passes for a total of 92 yards and a touchdown in his second preseason game. It was the tenth consecutive preseason victory for the Bills, a streak that dates back four years, minus the 2020 season because of the pandemic.

 

 

 

Thousands of fans attended the Buffalo Bills’ pre-season game on Saturday. Many fans were excited to see Josh Allen and the new rookies take the field. Before the game, Fisher-Price held their second annual “Junior Tailgate,” allowing fans of all ages to take part in tailgating with fun activities like Power Wheel tracks and ring stacking contests. The Bills defeated the Broncos 42 to 15.

 

Some Starbucks workers held a protest at the Buffalo Bills game on Saturday. Starbucks Union leaders are accusing Broncos co-owner Mellody Hobson of leading a national anti-union campaign, which the leaders say has resulted in over 80 union workers losing their jobs. Starbucks has not commented on the protest or the claims.

 

 

 

 

Officials with the New York State Lottery say a top-prize-winning ticket from this weekend’s contest was drawn at a Wegman’s in Buffalo. Officials say the Take Five Evening ticket is worth more than $37,000. The winner of a lottery game in any amount has up to one year to claim the prize.