LeRoy Pennysaver & News

LE ROY PENNYSAVER & NEWS - SEPTEMBER 26, 2021 CUSTOMIZED T-SHIRTS • HATS • JACKETS • TOWELS EMBROIDERY MAKES GREAT GIFTS FOR YOUR FAMILY • FRIENDS • ETC. 1 Church St. | LeRoy, NY 14482 | 768-2201 | www.lpgraphics.net On September 19, 2021 at about 6:04 p.m., the Genesee County Emergency Communications Center received a report of a vehicle traveling west on Route 33 in the Town of Stafford which was being operated in an erratic manner. A Genesee County Sheriffs Office Deputy located the vehicle on Route 33 and conducted a traffic stop in the area of Mill Road. Once the vehicle had stopped, the Deputy observed that the vehicle was occupied by two subjects. The operator of the vehicle fled from the car and ran southbound across Route 33 into a farm laneway. As the Deputy pursued the suspect, he observed the subject pull a handgun from his waistband and then lost sight of the subject in a small wooded area. The Deputy returned to the vehicle and heard what sounded like a gunshot coming from the area where he had lost sight of the suspect. The passenger of the vehicle was detained and the area was secured. Several agencies responded to assist with the ensuing search for the suspect. During the investigation, what were initially believed to be gunshots continued to be heard from the area where the suspect had last been seen. It was determined that the gunshot sounds had been a wildlife scare cannon which is a sound emitting device fueled by propane used to deter birds and other wildlife from damaging crops. It was confirmed that the property owner had such a device installed in the immediate area and that it was set to periodically go off. The New York State Police Aviation unit helicopter coordinated with NewYork State Police drone operators and Monroe County Sheriff's Office drone operators, eventually locating an area about one mile to the north/ east near Westbrook Road where the suspect was attempting to seclude himself in a wooded area. At about 11 :20 p.m., the suspect was taken into custody by the Monroe County Sheriff's Office SWAT unit without further incident. Asearch was conducted of the area where the suspect had run to following the traffic stop and a handgun was recovered. The suspect was identified as Arthur J. Brown, age 44, Lake Street, Leroy, New York. Brown was charged with: • Criminal Possession of a Weapon, 2nd -C Felony • Menacing a Police Officer -D Felony • Tampering with Physical Evidence -E Felony • Obstruction of Governmental Administration, 2nd -AMisdemeanor • Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, 7th -AMisdemeanor • Operation of a Motor Vehicle Impaired by Drugs -U Misdemeanor • Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle -Traffic Infraction • Fail to Keep Right -Traffic Infraction Brown was arraigned in the Town of Stafford Court where he was remanded to the Genesee County Jail on no bail. Brown is scheduled to reappear in the Stafford Town Court on October 5, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. Thepassenger in thevehiclewas identifiedasBreanna A. Smith, age 29, Lexington Avenue, Rochester, New York. Smith was found to have an active Violation of Probation warrant from the State of Florida. Smith was initially held on the warrant, however the Sheriffs Office later received notice that the State of Florida would not extradite Smith. Smith was released from custody and was issued an Appearance Ticket for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, 7th returnable to the Town of Stafford Court on a later date. The investigation indicates that during this incident no gunshots were fired by any law enforcement personnel nor the suspect. No one was injured during this incident. The Genesee County Sheriff's Office was assisted in this investigation by the Batavia City Police Department, the New York State Police, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, the NewYork State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Genesee County Emergency Management Office. Press Release from Genesee County Sheriff