Dunkirk man hurt in Route 5 crash

A Dunkirk man was injured in an accident on Route 5 early Friday morning.

Chautauqua County sheriff’s deputies responded to motor vehicle accident in the town of Dunkirk around 2:30 a.m. Upon arrival deputies determined that 25-year-old Lyle G Howard was traveling east when he failed to maintain his lane and entered a ditch before striking a utility pole.

The crash led to the utility pole breaking in half. City of Dunkirk Police assisted in removing Howard from the vehicle.

Howard was later transported from the scene by helicopter. An investigation is ongoing at this time. Charges are pending.

Evans Police searching for armed robbery suspect

¯ EVANS — On July 4 at around 6 p.m., patrol was dispatched to Lake Shore Road at the corner of North Lane for a report of an armed robbery. The victim, an unnamed 19-year-old male, stated that he was walking home from Lake Erie Beach Park when a white pick-up truck pulled up to him.

The lone occupant, a bald, white male, approximately 30-35 years of age, wearing a white t-shirt and jeans, got out of the vehicle and approached the victim. The suspect then reportedly pulled out a switchblade knife and held it three to four inches from the victim’s neck, stating “Give me your f**king money.”

The victim pulled out his wallet and the suspect took the $20 inside. The suspect immediately left, heading westbound on Lake Shore Road. The victim was unable to get the vehicle plate, make, model or registration. Following the incident, patrol obtained plates of possible vehicles from the Lake Erie Beach Park parking lot.

Evans Police

EVANS — A Lake View man who was previously arrested in Evans for driving while ability impaired by drugs.

On July 3 at roughly 9:21 p.m., an anonymous complainant reported a reckless driver on Erie Road passing Chick’s. Patrol located and observed the vehicle in question, noting several instances where the driver crossed the center white line. The driver allegedly then quickly changed lanes without signaling, prompting patrol to activate their emergency lights. The vehicle was delayed in pulling over, but eventually pulled into a Key Bank parking lot, going through the grass on a wide right turn and ultimately parking across two parking spaces.

Upon making contact with the driver, Brian A. Kruszka, 33, of Lake View, patrol observed that Kruszka’s pupils were constricted and his speech and motor coordination were impaired. Patrol asked Kruszka if he had anything to drink or used any drugs recently, to which Kruszka replied “no.” Patrol then initiated several field sobriety tests, resulting in Kruszka being taken into custody. Kruszka was charged with DWAI – drugs, moved from lane unsafely and illegal turn signal.

Fredonia Police

¯ Stephanie Fry was charged June 29 with third degree aggravated unlicensed operation and use of leased/rented/loaned vehicle without interlock device.

¯ Adam Searle was charged July 1 with petit larceny.

¯ Les Pavlovitch was charged July 2 with second degree harassment.

¯ Mattheny Ducayne was charged July 3 with third degree aggravated unlicensed operation and circumventing an interlock device.

¯ Chad Pchelka was charged July 5 with second degree aggravated unlicensed operation, unregistered motor vehicle and failure to stop at stop sign.

¯ Dakota Wilson was charged July 5 with criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, second degree harassment, endangering the welfare of a child and unauthorized use of a vehicle.

¯ Tyler Pelsey was charged July 5 with burglary, petit larceny and fifth degree criminal possession of stolen property.

¯ Natasha Feliciano was charged July 8 with possession of a hypodermic instrument.

Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office

≤ LITTLE VALLEY — On July 1 at approximately 8 p.m., patrol arrested Michael J. Rucker, 25, of Gowanda, on a warrant issued by the Erie County Sheriff’s Office for violation of probation. Rucker was transported to Erie County and turned over to the Erie County Sheriff’s Office for further processing.

Panama barn fire caused by tractor

≤ PANAMA — On July 8 at roughly 5:40 p.m., the Panama Fire Department requested the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Fire Investigation squad to determine the cause and origin of a structure fire at a residence on Panama Bear Lake Road.

The building, a barn, was used primarily for storage and hay. Investigators determined that the fire occurred after a recently operated tractor was parked in direct contact with loose hay and hay bales. The barn and contents were a total loss, but no injuries were reported in the incident.