Snowmobile operator arrested following January crash

COLLINS — Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard reports his office has arrested 33-year-old Ronald Chmielewski of Gowanda following a lengthy investigation by the Sheriff’s Snowmobile and Crash Investigation units.

On Jan. 26, Chmielewski was operating a snowmobile in the town of Collins when he struck a tree injuring himself and an 11-year-old passenger. Deputies and EMS personnel responded, and the operator was taken to Erie County Medical Center for treatment, and the child was taken to Oishei Children’s Hospital via ambulance for treatment of multiple injuries.

The deputies’ investigation allegedly discovered Chmielowski was impaired at the time of the crash, and on Thursday deputies arrested him.

The defendant is charged with a felony count of vehicular assault – operating a snowmobile impaired and causing injury, as well as a misdemeanor count of endangering the welfare of a child.

Chmielewski was processed and released with appearance tickets for a future court date. The boy continues to recover from the crash.

Irving resident accused of stealing vehicle

On June 15, Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Deputies received a complaint of a motor vehicle that had been stolen from an address on Alleghany Road in the Town of Hanover.

Investigation into the incident found that Kierstin R John, 25, Irving had allegedly taken a motor vehicle that did not belong to her and when she had no right to do so.

John was arrested Friday and charged with fourth-degree grand larceny. She was released with an appearance ticket and is to answer to the charge in the town of Hanover court at a later date.

Dunkirk Police Department

¯ On June 14, Britt Bridges, 46, of Brocton was charged with DWI, aggravated DWI, following to close and leaving the scene of an accident.

¯ On June 16, Aurelio M. Lopez, 33, of Dunkirk was charged with petit larceny.

¯ On Monday Jarrett Sikes, 39, of Dunkirk was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and third-degree grand larceny.