Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office

≤ HANOVER — On May 3 at around 8:46 p.m., deputies stopped a vehicle on Routes 5 & 20 for an alleged traffic violation. The driver was identified as Kristy L. Whitmore, 39, of Lancaster. Through further investigation, deputies discovered that Whitmore’s driving privileges in New York State were allegedly suspended and she was also reportedly in possession of a quantity of suboxone. Whitmore was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation and moved from lane unsafely. Whitmore was released with appearance tickets and is scheduled to appear in Town of Hanover Court at a later date.

≤ ELLERY — On May 3 at about 9:58 p.m., deputies stopped a vehicle on Dutch Hollow Road for an observed traffic infraction. Further investigation found that the driver, Leah M. Cooper, 36, of Bemus Point, was allegedly in possession of a small quantity of methamphetamine. Cooper was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, operating a motor vehicle with suspended registration and failure to keep right. Cooper will answer her charges in Town of Ellery Court at a later date.

≤ On May 7 at roughly 12:30 p.m., Bediako Nyasa, 23, of New York, New York, turned himself in on charges stemming from an incident that occurred on May 1. It is alleged that Nyasa had taken a credit card that belonged to a male victim and used it for his own benefit. Nyasa was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny and transported to Chautauqua County Jail to be arraigned.

Town of Evans Police Department

≤ On April 30 at roughly 1 p.m., patrol was dispatched to The Glass Menagerie for a reported larceny. The store owner stated that Robert M. Stanton, 22, of Hamburg, allegedly stole a pair of earrings valued at $5 from a store rack. Patrol reviewed the store’s security video, which reportedly does show Stanton taking a pair of earrings and placing them in his pocket. Patrol attempted to stop at Stanton’s place of employment, but was informed he was fired. A criminal summons for Stanton in Town of Evans Court for the charge of petit larceny has been requested.

≤ On May 4 at about 6:42 a.m., patrol responded to a hit and run accident on Reeves Road, involving an unknown, dark-colored SUV and a telephone pole. Upon patrol’s arrival, the telephone pole was reportedly sheared in half and parts of the vehicle could be seen by the pole and in the roadway. A trail of parts and fluids led patrol to an address on Humboldt and Lakeshore roads, where patrol located the suspected vehicle. The vehicle had heavy front end and undercarriage damage, as well as fresh mud and grass on the body. Patrol spoke with an individual at the address, who denied seeing the suspect. Patrol checked the residence for the suspect to no avail, and had the suspected vehicle impounded. Patrol later returned to the scene of the accident and located parts of the front bumper that were identified and matched to the suspect vehicle. National Grid was notified and responded to repair the damage to the telephone pole.