Morning News Briefing

Attempted abduction in Attica leads to hours’ long manhunt ending in arrest.
Attica Police were called to a West Main Street address for report of a violent domestic incident involving a firearm.
The call came from a female victim around quarter to 4 yesterday morning after she had apparently broken free from an alleged abduction attempt and barricaded herself into her adult son’s bedroom.
When officers arrived they were informed that 55 year old Robert Balon Jr. of Cascade Road in Attica had attempted to abduct his estranged wife and had fled the scene armed with a handgun.
Additional officers from the Wyoming and Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and State Police were called in to begin a manhunt.
Balon was located several hours later near Route 98 and Lindsay road in Attica and a shortly after the weapon was recovered which was then identified as a CO2 pellet pistol.
Balon was charged with multiple felonies including counts of Burglary, Criminal Use of a Firearm and Stalking with additional charges pending.
He was jailed in lieu of $100,000 in the Wyoming County Jail.
The investigation remains on-going.

Gypsy burglaries reported in Batavia and Pembroke.
The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office is reporting suspicious activity which they have referenced as Gypsy burglaries as the stereotypical band of thieves have been known to move from town to town.
Investigators were informed of two distraction type burglaries in Batavia and Pembroke this past weekend.
The thieves seem to target the residences of an elderly person with someone who comes to their door with a story intended to distract the resident and get them out of their home.
At this point another thief then enters the house.
If you think you have been targeted by someone trying to rip you off, or if you see suspicious activity in your neighborhood, the sheriff’s office encourages you to call at 585-343-5000.

Governor Andrew Cuomo is calling for a “red flag” bill to be passed, in order to keep the mentally ill from accessing guns.
He says the measure would give family members, friends and educators a chance to identify a perceived threat.

The governor said that in his opinion the state has benefited from the “NY SAFE Act”, which added regulations for those looking to obtain a firearm.

Rochester woman allegedly found with drugs after attempting to steal a vacuum cleaner.
35 year old Kelly Widzinski was caught allegedly attempting to take a vacuum from the Target in Batavia.
A subsequent search found that she was in possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia.
She was arrested on charges Criminal Possession of Stolen Property and drug possession and was remanded to Jail in lieu of $2,000 bail.

LeRoy resident jailed for threatening phone calls.
27 year old Ricky Porter Jr of Gilbert Street was arrested for allegedly making threatening statements to another individual in Batavia.
He was charged with Aggravated Harassment and was jailed with bail set at $2,500.

Residents of North Spruce Street and Evergreen Drive will be without water for a while today.
City crews will be working on a water main beginning around 8 this morning.
No estimate on how long the water will be shut off.