Town and Village of Lancaster police blotter

Lancaster- February 10

Petit Larceny-Arrest

At 6:30 p.m., patrols responded to Pautler’s Oil Service, 6372 Broadway, for a report of a male attempting to pay for his fuel with Northeast Paving’s business account. Upon arrival, patrol made contact with the subject, Joseph J. Storm, 20, of Cheektowaga, who stated he pumped fuel and used the account of Northeast Paving because he works there and they let him use their account. It came to patrol’s attention that at 12:36 p.m., that day, another patrol officer took a complaint from Northeast Paving regarding a similar instance of fuel larceny from Storm. Patrol contacted the owner of Northeast Paving, who stated he was interested in pressing charges for the larceny and would respond to the station. Patrol took Storm into custody for booking.

February 11

Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)-Arrest

At 2:15 a.m., patrol observed a 2004 Jeep traveling north on Transit Road. The vehicle passed the entrance to Louie’s Restaurant and made a left turn from Transit Road over the curb and across the sidewalk into the parking lot. The offender, James A. Koszuta, 29, of Depew, began to park in front of the restaurant, but when he saw patrol, he backed up and pulled his vehicle around the side of the building. Patrol followed the vehicle and made contact with Koszuta, who was exiting his vehicle. Patrol noticed that he had slurred speech, impaired motor coordination, and glassy blood shot eyes. He also had the smell of an alcoholic beverage emitting from his breath. Patrol conducted several standard field sobriety tests and Koszuta failed. Koszuta also took an Alco-Sensor roadside screening test with results of .22 percent. Koszuta was placed into custody without incident and transported to the station. At the station, Koszuta refused to submit to a breath test. He was charged with DWI and driving a motor vehicle on/across a sidewalk.

February 15

Driving While Intoxicated-Arrest

At 4:18 a.m., patrol observed a tan Chevrolet traveling north on Transit Road near Aero Drive leave its lane several times. Patrol initiated a traffic stop and the vehicle stopped. During a conversation with the operator, Joseph J. Crout, 32, of Lockport, glassy eyes, impaired speech, impaired motor coordination, and the odors of an alcoholic beverage and marijuana were all noticeable. Also, during the conversation, Crout admitted to possessing marijuana in the center console of his vehicle. After the performance and failure of several standard field sobriety tests and a positive Preliminary Breath Test (PBT) screen, and after locating five baggies of marijuana, Crout was arrested for unlawful possession of marijuana, DWI, DWAI combined influence of drugs or alcohol/drugs, and moving from lane unsafely. Crout is scheduled to appear in town court in March.

Aggravated Unlicensed Operation-Arrest

At 5:30 p.m., patrol observed a gray Jeep traveling north on Transit Road. A Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) check of the license plate revealed it to be expired on Nov. 11, 2011. Patrol initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle on Transit Road near Wehrle Drive and the vehicle stopped. A DMV check of the operator, Willie D. Hemphill, 20, of Buffalo, revealed him to be suspended for six scoffs on five dates. Hemphill was arrested for operation of unregistered motor vehicle on highway and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. He was transported to the station and released on $100 bail.

February 16

Driving While Intoxicated-Arrest

Patrol was traveling north on Transit Road near Cracker Barrel Restaurant and observed a 2006 Ford Escape drive through the open field on the east side of Transit Road, located between Cracker Barrel and Friendly’s Restaurant. Patrol turned onto Freeman Drive and then observed the vehicle traveling north on Freeman Drive, enter into the traffic circle. Patrol entered the traffic circle behind the vehicle and activated emergency lights and followed the vehicle into the parking lot of Russell’s Hotel/Restaurant. The vehicle continued east in the parking lot at a slow rate of speed and did not attempt to stop. Patrol activated the siren and the vehicle still did not come to a stop. The vehicle continued east in the parking lot for additional 50 to 75 feet and pulled into a parking spot. Patrol made contact with the subject, Melanie K. Szafranski, 37, of Cheektowaga, and patrol immediately noticed several signs of intoxication. While seated, Szafranski was asked to conduct the ABC test and finger count test, which she passed. Szafranski was then instructed to exit the vehicle and was given additional sobriety tests, all of which she failed. Szafranski was taken into custody and transported to the station. She submitted to a breath test with a result of .15 percent Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). Szafranski was charged with DWI, operation of a motor vehicle with .08 of one percent or more alcohol in blood, and drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle on the highway. Patrol located an open/empty can of Labatt’s Blue beer next to the driver’s seat in the front center console.

Petit Larceny-Arrests

At 4:06 p.m., patrol responded to Kohl’s Department Store, 4835 Transit Road, for report of shoplifters. Upon arrival, patrol had parked along the north side of the department store where the loss prevention officer had advised dispatch the offenders were exiting store. Patrol spotted the subjects and placed them all into custody. The subjects, Marquele L. Tomlin, 21, of Buffalo, America E. Morris, 25, of Buffalo, and Tanya Tomlin, 43, of Buffalo, had purses and bags filled with unpaid merchandise from the store, totaling $663.98. All three subjects were transported to the station. All three subjects were charged with petit larceny. Marquele Tomlin was also charged with false impersonation because when he was questioned, he knowingly provided patrols with a false name due to two active warrants out of the City of Buffalo. Both female subject s were released with a scheduled court date at the end of March. Marquele was turned over to the ESCO.