×

Area Police

Alleged drunk

driver hits Amish buggy, flees scene, lands in ditch

POLAND — A Falconer man is accused of hitting an Amish buggy while intoxicated and then fleeing the scene.

On Sunday at about 10:30 p.m. Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report of a vehicle striking an Amish buggy on Quaint Road in the town of Poland. Prior to deputies arrival, the vehicle had left the scene of the accident.

Deputies located the vehicle in a ditch on Stahlman Road in the town of Poland and the operator of the vehicle was identified as Nicholas A. Taylor, 34, of Falconer. Taylor was allegedly found to be intoxicated and was taken in to custody.

Investigation reportedly found that Taylor was southbound on Quaint Road when he crossed over into the opposite lane and struck a northbound Amish buggy. A 16-year old occupant of the Amish buggy sustained minor injuries.

After processing, Taylor was turned over to Jamestown Police due to an active warrant out of the city of Jamestown. He will appear in town of Poland Court at a later date to answer charges of driving while intoxicated, aggravated driving while intoxicated with a blood alcohol content of .18% or greater, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, expired vehicle inspection, unlicensed operator, fail to keep right and moved from lane unsafely.

Deputies were assisted at the scene by Falconer and Kennedy Fire departments.

Evans man faces multiple charges after ‘sticker stop’

EVANS — On August 16 at about 10:40 p.m., patrol stopped a vehicle for allegedly having stickers on it on Lake Shore Road. Patrol made contact with the driver, Francis G. Chaplin, 37, of Evans, and obtained his New York State non-driver’s ID card. When asked by patrol if he had a valid driver’s license, Chaplin reportedly replied that it had been suspended. Dispatch confirmed and Chaplin was removed from his vehicle. Patrol asked Chaplin if he had any drugs or weapons inside the vehicle, to which Chaplin said he had “some marijuana in the center console,” and then he handed patrol a bag containing an unspecified amount of marijuana and a glass pipe. Patrol conducted an inventory of the vehicle and located two more bags containing 3.5 grams of psilocybin mushrooms and an unspecified amount of ground up marijuana. Patrol also located a Banana OG THC/concentrated cannabis cartridge on the rear seat floor.

Chaplin was arrested and charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of marijuana, fourth-degree criminal possession of a hallucinogenic substance, use or place stickers/posters on windshield or rear window, operate motor vehicle without inspection certificate, inadequate brakes/steering/horn, unsafe tires and third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation. Chaplin was booked at Evans Police Department, where he was held overnight, pending arraignment. He was later arraigned to the Erie County Holding Center with no bail and his vehicle was impounded.

Gowanda Police Department

≤ On August 12 at roughly 8:10 a.m., patrol stopped a vehicle on Buffalo Street for a cell phone violation. A DMV check of the license of the driver, Daniel S. Lee, 44, of Salamanca, allegedly revealed it to be suspended. A second computer check revealed an active warrant for Lee’s arrest from the city of Salamanca. Lee was arrested on the warrant and charged with cell phone violation and second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation. Lee was released on an appearance ticket for town of Collins Court and was subsequently turned over to city of Salamanca Police to process their warrant.

≤ On August 15 at around 9:15 p.m., patrol stopped a vehicle on Buffalo Street for an unsafe start and loud exhaust. During the traffic stop, patrol allegedly noted the aroma of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. Jonathan J. Lips, 39, of Gowanda, was allegedly found to be in possession of a mason jar filled with marijuana and three packages of concentrated cannabis vape cartridges. Lips was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Lips was later released with an appearance ticket for town of Collins Court.

≤ On August 17 at about 11:06 p.m., Gowanda Police were notified of an alleged active warrant for the arrest of Mardi N. John, 25, of Gowanda, issued by town of Hamburg Court. Patrol located John and arrested her on the warrant. John was later turned over to town of Hamburg Police.

Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office

COLDSPRING — On August 8 at roughly 7:10 p.m., patrol arrested Ladaya R. Blankenship, 22, of Jamestown, for two counts of second-degree criminal contempt. Blankenship was arraigned in town of Coldspring Court and released on her own recognizance. Blankenship is expected to return to town of Coldspring Court at a later date.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today