Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office

¯ JAMESTOWN — Sheriff’s deputies stopped a vehicle on Steele Street in the city of Jamestown for having less than two functioning headlights on Thursday at approximately 8:08 p.m. The operator was identified as Jonathan R. Barlow, 46, of Jamestown.

A check of his driving history in New York showed that his privileges to operate a vehicle in New York had allegedly been suspended. Further investigation found that Barlow was allegedly in possession of a controlled substance. Barlow was released with appearance tickets for seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation and no/inadequate headlights.

¯ CHAUTAUQUA — On Friday at approximately 9 a.m., Jessie Burham, 62, of Ashville was arrested at the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office for violating the sex offender registration act and making a punishable false written statement. The charges were filed after Burham failed to properly report required information to the NYS sex offender registry and made false written statements to Sheriff’s Office investigators. Burham was arraigned under the centralized arraignment program and committed to Chautauqua County Jail.

¯ JAMESTOWN — On Friday around 12:15 p.m., James A. Brandow, 30, of Kennedy entered the front lobby of the South County Office Building located at 110 E. 4th St. in Jamestown. Brandow was found to have an active arrest warrant out of Chautauqua County Family Court and was placed into custody.

A search subsequent to arrest allegedly found Brandow to be in possession of a quantity of heroin and a hypodermic needle. Brandow was additionally charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminally possessing a hypodermic instrument. He was transported to Chautauqua County Family Court for arraignment on the warrant, and will be transferred to Chautauqua County Jail for centralized arraignment on his criminal charges.

Evans Police

¯ On Jan. 28 at approximately 6:30 p.m., patrol was conducting stationary radar on Beach Road when officers observed a car speeding.

Patrol conducted a traffic stop, and while approaching the vehicle, detected a strong odor of marijuana. The operator of the vehicle, Neil J. Faltisco, 24, of West Seneca, spoke to patrol and allegedly handed over a white Equate stomach pain bottle containing a small amount of marijuana. Faltisco also surrendered three glass pipes and a grinder, stating he owned the marijuana, and the other occupants of the vehicle were just smoking it. Patrol then also spoke to the other occupants.

Abby R. Hill, 17, of West Seneca, surrendered a small quantity of marijuana and a glass pipe to patrol. Faltisco was issued tickets for unlawful possession of marijuana and speed in zone.

Hill was issued a ticket for unlawful possession of marijuana.

¯ On Jan. 30 at about 7:30 p.m., patrol responded to a report of a structure fire on Erie Road.

Upon arrival, patrol noticed heavy smoke coming from the eaves of a steel bay garage door. An unnamed witness stated he heard some popping sounds coming from the garage, went to investigate, and saw smoke coming from the roof. The witness then opened the rear main door and encountered heavy smoke and fire under the plow truck he’d parked there earlier. The witness then stated he is the only person with access to the garage. Shortly thereafter, Lake Erie Beach, Evans Center, Angola and Brant fire departments arrived and extinguished the fire. ECSO fire investigator also responded.

The case has been referred to the detective bureau.

¯ On Feb. 1 at around 9 a.m., patrol was dispatched to an address on Erie Road for a report of a male victim that fell. Upon arrival, the victim reported that when he went to David E. Evancho, 42, of Evans’ apartment, Evancho allegedly began to strike him multiple times in the face, causing multiple lacerations and contusions. Evancho was on scene in his apartment and patrol arrested him for third-degree assault: with intent to cause physical injury without incident.

¯ On Feb. 1 at roughly 6:50 p.m., patrol responded to a report of a dryer fire at an address on Putnam Drive. Upon arrival, patrol was met by the Highland Fire Assistant Chief, who reported that the dryer was on fire, and the basement was filling up with black smoke. The complainant, who was babysitting at the time, stated that she placed towels in the dryer and that a short time later she smelled something burning. When she went to the basement to check, she saw smoke, and dialed 9-1-1.

All occupants of the house then vacated the residence and took shelter at the neighbor’s. Highland Engine 2 arrived and extinguished the fire, which was contained to the dryer with no extension. The dryer was then removed and the residence was ventilated. The dryer was destroyed by the fire, but there were no signs of fire damage to the structure itself.

Fire companies from Highland, North Evans, Evans Center, Lake Erie Beach, Lake View, Brant, Farnham and AMR Ambulance were dispatched to the scene.

¯ On Feb. 2 at approximately 2:30 a.m., patrol observed a vehicle speeding on Route 5. Patrol conducted a traffic stop and identified the operator of the vehicle as Cody D. Harenza, 25, of Evans. Patrol then allegedly detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. Patrol inquired about the smell and Harenza retrieved a bag containing marijuana and a glass pipe containing marijuana residue.

Harenza was issued tickets for unlawful possession of marijuana and speed in zone. Patrol destroyed Harenza’s pipe at the scene.

¯ On Feb. 3 at about 8 p.m., patrol dispatched to a reported vehicle fire on South Main Street. Upon arrival, patrol discovered the vehicle’s trunk on fire about six feet from the side of the residence it was parked at.

Patrol deployed fire extinguishers, which didn’t fully extinguish the flames. Angola and Lake Erie Beach fire departments then arrived and extinguished the fire. The vehicle had no known mechanical issues and the cause of the fire remains unknown.

¯ On Feb. 3 at around 8:50 p.m., patrol observed three individuals standing outside behind a laundromat on North Main Street. Patrol made contact and noted the scent of burnt marijuana both outside and inside the business. Patrol then questioned one of the individuals, Gage M. Laspesa, 20, of Silver Creek, and he reportedly stated, “We were smoking a blunt outside.”

Patrol asked Laspesa if he had any marijuana on him and Laspesa allegedly handed patrol a bag containing marijuana from his pocket. When asked if he had any more, Laspesa replied, “I have more in my bag,” referring to his red backpack.

Patrol allegedly discovered two large bags and three smaller bags all containing marijuana in Laspesa’s bag. Laspesa also had $503 cash in his pocket, which was later seized.

Laspesa was placed under arrest and charged with third-degree criminal possession of marijuana: weight more than eight ounces.