18-year-old charged in outhouse fire

SHERMAN — A hand sanitizer dispenser on fire in an outhouse has led to arson charges.

Chautauqua County sheriff’s deputies responded to the village for a report of a burning building around 9:15 p.m. Thursday. After an investigation, deputies found that an 18-year-old male did set the item on fire inside the outhouse in the park.

The male was charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief and fifth-degree arson. The male was released with appearance tickets and will answer to his charges in town of Sherman Court.

Police nab parolee on active warrant

A city man wanted on an active parole warrant is now in custody.

Dunkirk police report they assisted New York state parole with locating Joseph D. Rancka, 48, on Thursday morning around 9:30. Rancka was located inside his residence at 746 Grant Ave. where he was taken into custody and turned over.

Additional charges against Rancka are pending.

Two injured in Hanover accident

HANOVER — A two-vehicle accident on Allegheny Road Thursday afternoon sent both drivers to the hospital.

A Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office investigation found that Celeste Swietlik, 90, of Blasdell, failed to yield the right of way after stopping at a stop sign, causing the accident. Swietlik and the operator of the other vehicle, a 68-year-old woman, were transported to Lakeshore Hospital with minor injuries. Swietlik was issued a traffic citation for failure to yield right of way at a stop sign and is scheduled to appear in town of Hanover Court at a later date.

Supermarket

skirmish ends in arrests

KENNEDY — Two Maine men are facing charges after being too intoxicated to purchase beer, which led to a fight.

On Sept. 22, troopers responded to the Kennedy Supermarket. An investigation revealed that two subjects, later identified as Justin Taylor, 39, of Pittsfield, Maine, and Scott Green, 39, of Newburgh, Maine, allegedly attempted to purchase alcohol at the supermarket, but Green was unable to properly enter his PIN due to his intoxication level. Both subjects exited the store and got into their vehicle.

The victim approached Taylor and Green, advising them that they were too intoxicated to drive, at which point Taylor exited the vehicle and engaged in a struggle with the victim, causing a laceration to the victim’s eye. A second victim was struck in the head by Green while attempting the break up the initial fight involving Taylor.

Taylor, Green and a third party fled the scene in their vehicle, which was located and detained by Ellicott Police officers on Route 394 in Falconer a short while later. Green was taken into custody, while responding troopers were advised that Taylor had jumped from the vehicle prior to being pulled over. Taylor was located in a wooded area by a New York State Police K-9 unit and placed under arrest.

Taylor was charged with third-degree assault and second-degree obstructing governmental administration and Green was charged with third-degree assault.

At State Police Jamestown, Green was processed without incident, however, Taylor reportedly became disruptive and combative, resulting in his additional charge. Green and Taylor were then transported to Chautauqua County Jail. The victims were treated at a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

Westfield Police Department

≤ On September 20 at around 9:46 p.m., patrol stopped a vehicle on W Main Street for an alleged traffic violation. After investigation, it was found that the operator, Nicole J. Grentz, 47, of North East, PA, was allegedly operating the motor vehicle with a suspended New York State driver’s license. Grentz was charged with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation and insufficient tail lamps. Grentz will answer the charges in village of Westfield Court at a later date.