Tuesday News Brief

The two suspects who police say are connected to the early Sunday morning death of Genesee County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Thomas Sanfratello are scheduled to appear in Batavia Town Court today. The exact circumstances surrounding the early Sunday morning death of 54-year-old Sanfratello are still under investigation. But two suspects, 33-year-old Michael Elmore and 39-year-old Lyndsey Jean Wilcox, are being held on bail at the Genesee County Jail. Police said they had been involved in a struggle with the deputy and casino security staffers as they were being escorted out of the casino following a confrontation. Elmore is charged with manslaughter and assault on a police officer and Wilcox is accused of assault and burglary.

In a statement from the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office: “It is with the deepest regret and sorrow that the Genesee County Sheriff reports the line-of-duty death of Sergeant Thomas A. Sanfratello, age 54, who passed away on March 10, 2024, following his involvement in an incident while working a special assignment detail at Batavia Downs. The City of Batavia Police Department will be leading the investigation into this incident. Sergeant Sanfratello served 32 years with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office. He began his career as a Dispatcher on February 29, 1992, was appointed a Deputy Sheriff in 1996, and in 2007, Sanfratello was promoted to Sergeant. Sergeant Sanfratello’s family would like to extent their sincere appreciation for all the overwhelming support they have received from friends and fellow first responders. Funeral arrangements are being completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home and Cremation Company in Batavia.”

 

71-year-old John Volpe, an environmental activist and Native American speaker has been arrested and faces accusations of child rape.  It’s alleged Volpe continually sexually assaulted a child under age 11, including forcibly penetrating the child with an object. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison. The Genesee County Sheriff’s Department arrested Volpe late last week following an investigation. He was arraigned and committed to jail without bail.

 

 

Officials with Warsaw-based Five Star Bank are currently looking into alleged fraudulent activity by a business customer. The bank says it recently discovered the fraud that occurred during multiple business transactions that happened over several days before ending earlier this month. The fraud could end up amounting to an exposure of almost $19 million. Five Star is working with law enforcement in connection with this matter.

 

 

 

The Diocese of Buffalo is putting its headquarters on Main Street up for sale. The nearly 10-million-dollar listing price includes that building as well as two others, a parking garage and two parking lots. When the headquarters was first built back in 1985, there were nearly 300 employees in the building, but that number has now dropped below 90. In recent weeks, the Diocese has also announced plans to shut down three churches in the region.

 

A new measure is being proposed in the state Legislature that’s aimed at putting an end to youth vaping. The measure calls for banning the sale of e-cigarette products that are designed to look like school supplies or toys. Data has revealed almost 19% of New York high schoolers have admitted to using electronic cigarettes at one point or another. Nicotine has been shown to affect the development of a teenager’s brain and have an effect on their impulse control and learning.

 

The Buffalo Sabres will be back on their home ice once again tonight as they hope to pick up a second straight win. The Sabres are hosting Western New York native Patrick Kane and the Detroit Red Wings at KeyBank Center. Buffalo last played Saturday when they defeated the Edmonton Oilers 3-2 in a shootout. Face-off this evening is set for 7:00.

 

ELSEWHERE…

New details are being released after a young boy was found locked inside a Columbus area Target store. Police say an employee found a 12-year-old boy Monday morning as they opened the store on East Broad Street near Reynoldsburg. Police say the boy’s parents had filed a missing persons report on Sunday. An investigation into how the boy went undetected during the store’s closing is ongoing.

 

Jimmy Kimmel says he was asked not to read former President Trump’s post criticizing him during Sunday’s Academy Awards. In an interview with ABC talk show hosts Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos following the show, Kimmel said he was told he had “a little bit of time” and that he said, “I’m reading the Trump tweet.” He said he was then told, “No, no, don’t read that.” In Trump’s post, he blasted Kimmel’s performance as host and called the Oscars “disjointed, boring, and unfair.” After reading the post to the audience, Kimmel addressed Trump by saying, “Thank you for watching, I’m surprised you’re still – isn’t it past your jail time?”