Morning News Brief
Written by Tom Tharp on September 7, 2023
A man with a significant criminal history was sentenced after being convicted of robbing a delivery driver at knifepoint in Rochester last year. Prosecutors said 32 year old Orlando Velazquez, a persistent violent felony offender, was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for threatening a driver with a knife on Monroe Avenue before robbing them on the morning of September 5th of 2022. Police said Velazquez was taken into custody moments after the incident, and was found in possession of stolen property.
Gun retailers across New York state are preparing to change how they do background checks. Starting Sept. 13, shops will be required to submit background checks on ammunition to New York State Police instead of directly to the FBI. This is part of gun legislation Gov. Kathy Hochul signed last year. State police will now contact the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, which is operated by the FBI, after a gun retailer reaches out to them for a background check. A sale can only be complete once a “proceed” response is received from the state’s NICS. Someone who fails an ammunition background check will have 30 days to appeal, according to state police. There will be a $9 fee for a firearm background check and a $2.50 payment for an ammunition check. NYSP said these fees will fund the state’s NICS unit and the background check system.
The Erie County Sheriff’s Office announced an arrest was made in connection to a burglary early Sunday morning. The burglary occurred at the Mercedes-Benz of Buffalo dealership on Main Street in the Town of Clarence. It is alleged that a man removed a key box from inside the dealership containing keys for used cars on the lot. Within several hours, the man left with a 2021 Bentley Continental, valued at $235,850.00, a 2022 Mercedes-Benz G Wagon, valued at $204,850.00, and a 2022 BMW M8, valued at $104,650.00. Detectives were able to recover the three vehicle
Police have announced an arrest in the murder of a 25-year-old man in the city’s East End district earlier this year. U.S. Marshals took 23 year old Gregory O’Neal into custody for allegedly shooting and killing Michael Mathis at the intersection of East Avenue and North Union Street in Rochester the night of January 21st. Investigators believe there was an argument about Mathis’ previous acquittal of a fatal 2015 mass shooting outside the Boys & Girls Clubs of Rochester, which escalated into shots being fired. O’Neal is charged with second-degree murder and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon.
An accident in Wyoming County led to over 9000 gallons of liquid manure spilled in Genesee Falls. A tractor trailer owned by Edelweiss Farms rolled over late Tuesday afternoon. It ended up on its side with hydraulic fluid leaking and the entire contents of it’s liquid manure tank spilling out. According to the Wyoming County Office of Emergency Services, the Pike Fire Department was able to contain the spilled contents with the assistance of the Wyoming County Hazmat Team. The NYS DEC monitored the cleanup on Wiscoy and East Koy Road. No one was injured in the accident. The truck and trailer suffered extensive damage. The cause of the accident is under investigation.
Saturday Morning the residents of Country Meadows, a trailer community off Clinton Street in Batavia, gathered to discuss concerns and issues they have experienced over the last 2 years. They say that their rents and utilities have been increasing, maintenance has not been done on their properties, and they are worried about being priced out of their homes. Residents say they are concerned about the 6% raised lot rents that took effect this past spring, that could increase each year. They are also concerned with high water rates. One resident, who says she lives alone, went from paying $30 per month to over $120 per month to Cook Properties for water service. Residents also say that maintenance throughout the park is not being done, especially tree trimming. Currently, Cook Properties owns 100 Manufactured Home Parks across NYS. They are currently looking to expand Country Meadows and add 76 more mobile home lots on a portion in the northwest corner of the park. Asking price is $80-$100,000.
