Evening News Briefing
Written by Dan Fischer on April 24, 2019
Michael Piasta
It took a Genesee County Court jury only 2-hours to find a Batavia man guilty of robbing Arby’s a year ago.
Michael Piasta was convicted robbery, grand larceny and weapons possession for the robbery at Arby’s last March.
He was accused of stealing nearly 10-thousand dollars from the restaurant.
Key to the case, according to D_A Lawrence Friedman, was surveillance video that linked the suspect’s shoes, jeans and a jacket to Piasta.
Piasta has served three terms in state prison making him eligible for sentencing as a persistent felon.
He could get 5 to 15 years behind bars.
The unemployment rate in Genesee County is at its lowest point in nearly 30 years. Last month’s jobless rate came in at 4.6-percent, the lowest on record for a March. One year ago, the rate was 5.4-percent.
The March unemployment rate in Orleans County was an even 5-percent, Wyoming County’s was 5.4.
Both Wyoming and Orleans County had jobless rates more than a full percent point less than one year ago.
A former Batavia man has been sentenced to 60 days in jail for torturing a young dog.
23 year old Brandon Welch was sentenced in Batavia City court and immediately sent to jail. He’ll also serve three years’ probation.
Welch was accused of mistreating the Pitbull mix named Opal. The dog weighed only 9 pounds when rescued last October and could not stand on her own.
Opal was treated by Volunteers for Animals was eventually adopted
It looks like more New Yorkers are getting behind the wheel of electric vehicles.
Sales of electric cars were up 63 percent in 2018.
There are now nearly 37-thousand electric vehicles on state roads.
The Kiwanis Club of Batavia has announced their 2019 Law Day and Criminal Justice Awards.
Recipients include: Assistant D-A Kevin Finnell; Sheriff’s Office Investigator Chad Minuto, Batavia Police Officer Jason Davis and LeRoy PD Officer Gregory Kellogg.
The awards will be presented tomorrow night
