Arrests

(WNY News Now) – A routine traffic stop in Cambria has led to two arrests connected to a larceny investigation, revealing stolen goods from Home Depot and several active warrants for one of the suspects.Lockport, NY – On the morning of November 12, 2024, deputies from the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office arrested two individuals following a traffic stop on Saunders Settlement Road in the Town of Cambria. The stop quickly escalated into a larceny investigation, uncovering stolen items and outstanding warrants against one of the suspects.During the stop, deputies identified 41-year-old Mark Heughan of Niagara Falls, who had several active warrants. A search of the vehicle revealed items allegedly stolen from Home Depot on South Transit Road in the Town of Lockport. The driver, 50-year-old Ang...

(WNY News Now) – An Allegany woman faces charges after allegedly interfering with a police investigation by using physical force.Allegany, N.Y. – On the morning of November 2, 2024, at approximately 7:48 a.m., Tara N. Gayton, 37, of Allegany, New York, was arrested on charges of obstructing governmental administration in the second degree. The incident occurred on Castle Drive in Allegany, where Gayton reportedly used physical force to interfere with an ongoing police investigation.Gayton was taken into custody by officers from the New York State Police and issued an appearance ticket. She is scheduled to appear in Allegany Town Court at a future date to address the charge. As are all persons accused of a crime, the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.Share t...

(WNY News Now) – The Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office reported the arrest of Leea L. Vaughn, 28, from Olean, New York, on November 5, 2024. The arrest occurred at approximately 1:45 a.m. at a residence on Gile Hollow Road in Hinsdale, NY.Vaughn was apprehended on an arrest warrant issued by the Allegany Town Court, where she will need to appear at a future date. She was arraigned before Judge Porter, who subsequently released her on her own recognizance, allowing her to return home without bail.The incident, investigated by Deputy 2170 of the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office, also had support from the New York State Police. The precise nature of the charges Vaughn faces has not been disclosed beyond the issuance of the arrest warrant under CPL 120.60(1).The case is scheduled to proce...

(WNY News Now) – An early morning traffic stop in Olean led to the arrest of a local man wanted in Pennsylvania on parole violations.Olean, N.Y. On November 8, 2024, at approximately 3:28 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on First Street in Olean, New York, leading to the arrest of 40-year-old Ernest D. Robinson III. Robinson, an Olean resident, was found to have an active warrant from Pennsylvania for parole violations.Following his arrest, Robinson was arraigned on a fugitive from justice warrant in the Town of Allegany Court, presided over by Judge Ploetz. The investigation was led by Captain R. Lott, with support from Deputy A. Olszewski. Due to the seriousness of the out-of-state warrant, Robinson was remanded to Cattaraugus County Jail without bail, pending further proceedings....

(WNY News Now) – A tragic incident in Silver Creek has led to the arrest of a local woman on second-degree murder charges, marking a somber investigation by the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office.Silver Creek, N.Y. – The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office has charged 36-year-old Ashley C. Bertino of Silver Creek with second-degree murder following the death of a 12-year-old child. Authorities state that Bertino engaged in actions demonstrating a “depraved indifference to human life,” resulting in circumstances that allegedly posed a grave risk and ultimately led to the juvenile’s death.The incident, reported on April 29, 2024, spurred an immediate investigation by the Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Division. Following thorough investigative efforts, an arrest warrant was issued by the To...

(WNY News Now) – A Silver Creek man, 71-year-old Donald D. Thurston, faces serious charges of sexual abuse and public lewdness following an investigation by the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office.On October 31, 2024, a criminal investigation led by the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division resulted in the arrest of 71-year-old Donald D. Thurston from Silver Creek, New York. Thurston is accused of exposing himself to a victim and allegedly engaging in sexual contact with a different victim around 2012.Thurston was charged with Sexual Abuse in the First Degree and Public Lewdness in the First Degree. Following his arrest, Thurston was arraigned at the Chautauqua County CAP court. As are all persons accused of a crime, the accused is presumed innocent until proven...