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Man tied to 2019 armed robbery indicted

Photo by Eric Tichy Police are pictured in June 2019 following an armed robbery in West Ellicott. One of the suspects in the case was recently indicted.

MAYVILLE — A man connected to the June 2019 armed robbery of a West Ellicott convenience store has been indicted by a Chautauqua County grand jury.

Luis Gonzalez, 27, pleaded not guilty during arraignment Jan. 22 to charges of first-degree robbery, first-degree robbery (displaying a firearm), and second-degree robbery. Bail was set at $50,000, and a conference has been scheduled for Feb. 24.

Two people entered the Keystone Food Mart, 575 Fairmount Ave., in the early morning hours of June 12, 2019, and demanded cash from the clerk. One of the suspects was seen on surveillance video carrying a shotgun while the other was believed to be holding a large hunting knife.

Investigators learned that the suspects parked their vehicle — a white BMW — near The Salvation Army store on Howard Avenue located next to the convenience store. The vehicle was later recovered by police.

Following Gonzalez’s arrest for the robbery, Det. Kevin Pierce of the Ellicott Police Department noted the collaboration between agencies.

“This investigation was a total joint effort of the Ellicott Police and the Jamestown Police Department,” Pierce said at the time.

An indictment was also recently returned for a Lakewood man who shot himself in June of last year after being confronted by police during a domestic incident. The indictment for 55-year-old Christopher Butts includes charges of menacing a police/peace officer and first-degree reckless endangerment, both class D felonies, and second-degree menacing, a misdemeanor.

Butts pleaded not guilty during arraignment Jan. 4 in Chautauqua County Court. He was released with a conference scheduled for Feb. 4.

Officers with the Lakewood-Busti Police Department had responded June 15, 2020, to West Fairmount Avenue for a report of a man dragging a woman around a yard. As officers approached, Butts reportedly pulled out a pistol, fired a shot into the driveway then shot himself.

The Lakewood man was taken by helicopter to UPMC Hamot in Erie, Pa.

Other recent actions in Chautauqua County Court include:

¯ an indictment on charges of third-degree burglary and petit larceny, as well as first-degree possession of prison contraband, for 22-year-old Bracken Warren. During arraignment Jan. 28, Bracken pleaded not guilty to the charges, which came in two indictments, one from a case originating with the Lakewood-Busti Police Department and the other with the Sheriff’s Office.

A March 29 conference in county court has been scheduled;

¯ an indictment on charges of fourth-degree grand larceny, fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property and three counts of criminal possession of stolen property for 28-year-old Blake Truever. He pleaded not guilty during a Jan. 5 arraignment;

¯ an indictment on charges of two counts of aggravated family offense, first-degree coercion and two counts of aggravated contempt for 45-year-old Hashaun Leeper. Arraignment took place Jan. 21, where Leeper pleaded not guilty, with a conference scheduled for Feb. 24; and

¯ an indictment on charges of third-degree burglary, fourth-degree criminal mischief and petit larceny for 23-year-old Jordan Taylor. A not guilty plea by Taylor was entered during arraignment Jan. 21.

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