Thursday News Brief

The Batavia police department is once again asking for your assistance as they try to locate two people of interest in a stolen credit card scheme. They are asking for the public’s help in identifying 2 people photographed by security cameras leaving Target on Veterans Memorial Drive in Batavia. If anyone knows who they are please contact the investigating detective at (585) 345-6357.

 

 

From the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, and arrested by Sheriffs are:

Kiara A. Bates, age 31 of Agnes Street, Rochester, NY
Jayona D. Henderson, age 20 of Hooker Street, Rochester, NY
Ashanay J. McBean, age 27 of Terrace Street, Rochester, NY
Each charged with: Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree, a class D Felony

Background: On Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 12:26 PM, the Genesee County Emergency Communication Center was contacted by the Erie County Sheriff’s Office. The Erie County Sheriff’s Office was requesting assistance in locating a vehicle that was involved in a larceny in their jurisdiction and provided a vehicle description and the vehicle’s location. Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police and City of Batavia Police Department was notified. The suspect vehicle was located on Route 5 in the Town of Batavia driving towards the City of Batavia. A felony vehicle stop was conducted on West Main Street, east out of Route 98 temporarily stopping traffic. The occupants of the vehicle exited the vehicle without incident and were later identified as Kiara A. Bates, Jayona D. Anderson and Ashanay McBean. Inside of the vehicle, law enforcement identified over $6,000 in alleged stolen property associated with the larceny being investigated by the Erie County Sheriff’s Office. The vehicle itself, a grey Acura MDX, was reported stolen on May 28, 2023 with the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) Transit Police Department. The three suspects were transported to the Genesee County Jail where they were held until the Centralized Arraignment Part (CAP) Court. All three suspects were charged with Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree. Kiara A. Bates and Jayona D. Anderson were released following arraignment and transported to the custody of the Erie County Sheriff’s Office on pending criminal charges. Ashanay McBean was held in the custody of the Genesee County Sheriff’s due to having two or more felony convictions and a Town Court not authorized by law to set bail in this case. The Genesee County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the City of Batavia Police Department, New York State Police Troop A, Erie County Sheriff’s Office, NFTA Transit Police Department and Ulta Organized Retail Crime Investigations.

 

A federal jury has convicted 36-year-old David Lettieri of Harpursville of enticement of a minor. In October 2020, Lettieri traveled to Wyoming County to meet a 13-year-old girl in a park with the intent of having sexual intercourse. However, no contact occurred. Investigation recovered communications between Lettieri and the victim, including photos. The victim’s age was also revealed during the conversations. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date; Lettieri faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison.

 

 

The City of Batavia has announced the appointment of Rebecca McGee to the position of Human Resources Director for the City of Batavia. McGee was selected following an extensive search for candidates and an active recruitment campaign. She will assume her new role on Monday, July 10th. McGee is a Batavia native and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Plattsburgh State University in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management. She is currently serving as the Human Resources Manager at Liberty Pumps in Bergen. Rebecca is a 2000 graduate of Batavia High School and lives with her husband Patrick in the City of Batavia.

 

The City Council has agreed to allow open containers of alcohol in Jackson Square over the summer on a couple of conditions. Bars and restaurants wanted to be able to sell alcoholic drinks in the square during the summer concert series and other events and petitioned the Council for permission. The Council allows them to do so as long as they take responsibility by providing liability insurance of at least $1 million, naming the city as co-insured. One local business owner said that an open container policy may help establishments to get more traffic. The Jackson Square concert series is getting ready to kick off on June 23rd with the Old Hippies and will continue with concerts through August 25th, finishing with Ghost Riders.

 

 

A teenager who was driving a stolen KIA that crashed on the Kensington Expressway killing four people last fall has now pleaded guilty. The 16-year-old male pleaded guilty in Erie County Court to four counts of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, one count of Assault in the First Degree and one count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree. The teen is not being named due to youthful offender status. Investigators say the teen was operating the stolen KIA on the inbound Kensington Expressway on October 24, 2022 when he crashed near the entrance to the Scajaquada Expressway. All five people in the vehicle were ejected. Four of those passengers — Ahjanae Harper, 14; Marcus Webster, 19; Swazine Swindle, 17 and Kevin Payne, 16 — died from their injuries in the crash. A fifth passenger, a 14-year-old female, was treated at ECMC and released. She continues to recover from her injuries. The teen offender is scheduled to be sentenced in August. The Erie County District Attorney’s office says if adjudicated as a youthful offender, he could face 1-1/3 to four years in prison. If youthful offender status is denied, he could face up to 25 years in prison. He is currently remanded into the custody of the Erie County Youth Services Center. An order of protection has been issued on behalf of the surviving victim. (Released photo).

 

 

The summer concert season is underway, and a number of agencies are working together to prevent underage drinking at venues across the state. Under an initiative called Operation Prevent, there will be enforcement sweeps through mid-September to stop the use of fake IDs to buy alcohol. Anyone under the age of 21 who is caught using a phony or another person’s ID can get a ticket and have their license revoked for up to a year. Police will also be keeping an eye out for drunk drivers after concerts.

 

A substitute teacher in Rochester is on leave after allegedly grabbing a 7-year-old student and forcing him into a wall and then shouting in his face. The incident was captured on security cameras. A second teacher pulled the substitute off the boy and then reported the incident to administration. Administration immediately suspended the substitute and informed the boy’s parents. The student, Mathias Tucker, was taken to the hospital with neck and back pain and is staying home, afraid to return to school. The substitute, who has not been identified, is on leave until an investigation is completed.

 

 

Local members of the state legislature have finished up an important meeting with the governor’s office. According to reports, yesterday’s discussion was about the possibility that a casino could be set up in the Rochester region. The state is trying to hammer out a brand-new gaming compact with the Seneca Nation but there’s no word on when a deal could be reached. The current agreement is set to expire in December.

 

The first group of asylum seekers who have been staying in New York City might be arriving in Western New York as early as today. According to WGRZ, those migrants from the southern border are going to be staying at a hotel in Cheektowaga. There will be 60 individuals coming to the region, and the Erie County Department of Social Services has been already notified so it can help them out. County Executive Mark Poloncarz has said in the past he welcomes the arrival of asylum seekers.

 

Several people in Chautauqua County are continuing to recover after being bitten by a rabid fox. The health department says the individuals were attacked on June 9th near the area of Route 430 in Bemus Point. The fox was killed that same day by a conservation officer, and tests revealed that it did have rabies. The disease can be deadly to people and animals if it’s untreated. Residents are being urged to report any suspicious wildlife immediately.

 

 

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs is back on the field and once again practicing with the team. Diggs missed the first day of mandatory mini-camp workouts earlier this week and head coach Sean McDermott now says that his absence was excused. McDermott also said any issues Diggs might have with the franchise are resolved but didn’t go into further detail. Last season, Diggs had more than 1,400 yards receiving for the Bills and also scored 11 touchdowns.

 

 

The New York State Fair is coming up soon, and Amtrak will be making it easier for people to attend the popular event. The rail company is offering direct service to the fairgrounds in Syracuse. Officials say by deciding to take the train, folks will be able to avoid things like parking fees, traffic and tolls. and save money on gas. Tickets are available right now and can be purchased at amtrak.com. This year’s fair runs from August 23rd through September 4th.

 

Country music superstar Brad Paisley is going to be making a visit to Niagara Falls later this year. Paisley is set to perform at the Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino on Friday, August 18th. The multi-time Grammy award winner is known for songs like “Mud on the Tires,” “Perfect Storm” and “Then.” Seats go on sale tomorrow at noon either in-person at the box office or through Ticketmaster.

 

ELSEWHERE…

 

Governor Kathy Hochul is encouraging high school graduates across New York state to attend one of the state’s public colleges. Today, she sent letters to all high school grads congratulating them for their achievements and offering them a spot at SUNY and CUNY schools. The letters include points of contact to help seniors with enrollment and financial aid. Prior to the governor’s letters, SUNY sent letters to 125,000 graduating students outside of New York City to alert them that they have been accepted at their local community college for the fall.

 

 

The Virginia teacher shot by her six-year-old student earlier this year is no longer with the school. An attorney for Abigail Zwerner claims she was fired while a Newport News School District official says the 25-year-old informed them in March she wanted to resign and her contact ended Monday. Zwener filed a $40,000,000 (million) lawsuit that accuses administrators of ignoring warnings hours earlier that the boy was armed.

 

The 90s comedy show ‘Friends’ will have its first permanent coffeehouse location. The Central Perk Coffee store design will take inspiration from the original set. The coffeehouse will open later this year in Boston, Massachusetts.

 

 

Veterans suffering from PTSD would have access to experimental drug treatment under legislation promoted by a Texas Republican. The bill would create a $75,000,000 (million) federal grant program to support research into magic mushrooms and Ecstasy. Some psychologists believe there’s compelling evidence that both drugs could be effective in treating depression and anxiety.

 

 

The manager of the morgue at Harvard Medical School is under federal indictment for allegedly selling stolen body parts. According to the indictment, Cedric Lodge stole parts of dissected cadavers and took them to his home in Goffstown, New Hampshire. He then sold the parts online.

 

 

 

There was no winner in last night’s Powerball lottery, so that jackpot will roll over to an estimated $366,000,000 (million) for Saturday’s drawing. Meanwhile, the Mega Millions jackpot is up to $281,000,000. That drawing is Friday night. Please play responsibly.

 

Today is Thursday, June 15th, the 166th day of the year.

June 15 in history…

…In 1775, George Washington became Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army.

 

…In 1844, Charles Goodyear patented vulcanized rubber. He later made the rubber into tires.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1916, the Boy Scouts of America was incorporated by a bill signed by President Wilson.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…In 1992, then Vice President Dan Quayle, relying on a faulty flash card, wrongly instructed a student on how to spell potato during a spelling bee.

 

 

 

 

…In 1995, O.J. Simpson struggled to fit into a pair of leather gloves that prosecutors at the trial said were used in the killings of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman.

 

 

 

 

…In 2007, CBS aired Bob Barker’s final appearance on the long running game show “The Price Is Right” twice — once in daytime and once in prime time. Months earlier, the 83-year-old Barker announced he was retiring from the show he launched back in 1972.

 

 

…In 2012, tightrope walker Nik Wallenda walked across a high wire over Niagara Falls. Wallenda’s death-defying stunt took 25 minutes to complete.

 

 

 

 

 

…In 2014, radio personality Casey Kasem died at age 82.

 

 

 

 

…In 2019, a jersey belonging to baseball star Babe Ruth became the most expensive sports memorabilia when it sold for five-point-six million dollars at auction.