Accident leads to DWI arrest
An accident Wednesday night has led to the arrest of a Fredonia man.
Scott Harold Couchman, 42, of Adams Road was charged following an accident Wednesday night. Fredonia Police received a complaint of a possible hit and run accident at 11:11 p.m. in the area of 354 Chestnut Street. Once police arrived, they located a Chevrolet Blazer and the victim's car parked legally on the roadway. It was reported to police that Couchman was driving south on Chestnut Street when he allegedly sideswiped another car, continued to drive south before turning around and coming back to the scene. Couchman was found at the scene to have slurred speech, poor balance and police could smell intoxicants coming from him.
Couchman failed various field sobriety tests. His blood alcohol content was reported to be a 0.26. Couchman was charged with driving while intoxicated, operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of .08 or more and failure to use designated lane. It was found that Couchman had a previous DWI charge in 2005 making this charge a felony. He was held pending arraignment and his vehicle was towed by Mancuso's Service Center.
Fredonia man charged in narcotics investigation
A 31-year-old Fredonia man is in the Chautauqua County Jail after being charged Wednesday with a number of illegal drug infractions.
Frank M. Battaglia, 31, of 18 Gillis St. was arrested on a warrant issued by County Court Judge John T. Ward after a secret indictment of a Chautauqua County grand jury. Battaglia was charged with two counts each of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.
The warrant was obtained after a lengthy investigation by members of the Fredonia Police Department and the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force. Fredonia police allege that Battaglia has sold crack cocaine to undercover agents within the village.
Fredonia Police Department
Casey P. Crane, 19, of West Lake Road, Dunkirk was charged with unlawful possession of alcohol under 21 on June 27. At 11:39 p.m. Crane was observed in possession of alcohol on Water Street. Crane was released on an appearance ticket.
Angela M. Wicks, 24, of Jamestown was charged with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of motor vehicle on June 29. At 8:50 p.m. Wicks was observed traveling west on East Main Street and was stopped there were young individuals in the back of the pick up truck she was driving. It was found that all individuals were over the age of 16. Wicks' license was found to be suspended. She was released on $250 bail.
David N. Payne III, 22, of Silver Creek was charged with a bench warrant on June 29. Silver Creek Police Department took Payne into custody on a bench warrant for failure to pay fines. Payne was held at Fredonia Police Department.
Two individuals were charged on July 3 for petit larceny. At 2:15 p.m. police responded to Walmart for the report of a theft. Lizzette Martinez, 38, of Central Avenue, Dunkirk allegedly took 14 items of merchandise totaling $122.42. Lucyann Lugo-Chevere, 36, of Central Avenue, Dunkirk allegedly took two items of merchandise totaling $13.94. Both were released on appearance tickets.
