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PRESS RELEASES
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BALDWINSVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
NOVEMBER 23, 2011
At the Village Board meeting held on November, 24, 2011, Mayor Joseph Saraceni, Village Trustees, Chief Michael Lefancheck, other members of the police department, and a number of guests and relatives, all honored retired Police Agent John C. “J.C.” Merritt, for a distinguished 34 year career with the Baldwinsville Police Department.
Agt. Merritt began his career with the department in September of 1977 and quickly established himself among the top enforcers of DWI’s in Onondaga County. He primarily worked during the afternoon and evening hours and in 1980 was voted as the first Officer of the Year of the department. He again was awarded that honor in 1987 and 1994, becoming the first person to receive the award on three occasions.
He was promoted to Police Agent (sergeant) in 1990 and since that time, primarily supervised the 8:00 pm – 4:00 am shift. Mayor Saraceni commented that he was only six years-old when J.C. began his career with the department and that the village has seen many changes since that time. The mayor noted that the village owes a great deal of gratitude to Agt. Merritt for his time with the department and helping to keep the village a safe place throughout his career.
Chief Lefancheck mentioned that J.C. was one of his training officers when he was hired as a police officer in 1987, and that Agt. Merritt also trained him when he as first promoted to Police Agent. The Chief also commented that Agt. Merritt trained Lt. Thomas LeRoy and current Agent Michael Lockwood when they were promoted; and that Agt. Merritt has been hired back to train newly promoted Agent Chrissy Allen. Chief Lefancheck called Agt. Merritt “among the best of the best” and said that his presence would be sorely missed.
Agt. Merritt and his wife Wendy, a retired nurse, have resided in Baldwinsville for many years and are the parents of three adult children. He hopes to enjoy time with his family and do some traveling during his retirement but did comment that he would "not be a stranger" around the police department.
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From L-R: Mayor Joseph Saraceni, Retired Police Agent John C. Merritt and Chief Michael Lefancheck. The photo was taken at the Village Board meeting on 11-17-11 where Agt. Merritt was recognized by the board.
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BALDWINSVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
NOVEMBER 23, 2011
At the Village Board meeting held on November, 17, 2011, two members of the Baldwinsville Police Department were presented with Police Administrator’s Special Recognition Award’s by Chief Michael W. Lefancheck and Mayor Joseph Saraceni.
Chief Lefancheck commented during the presentations that these awards were rarely awarded, as he could not remember during his 24 year-career where a Police Administrator’s Special Recognition Award had been presented.
The first award was presented to Lt. Thomas J. LeRoy for his work during the spring and summer of 2011 on the graffiti clean-up and removal throughout the village. Chief Lefancheck noted that Lt. LeRoy took it upon himself to organize a graffiti clean-up, to coincide with Earth Day. He secured assistance from local citizens and also contacted the owners of vacant downtown buildings that had been vandalized and convinced the owners to paint over the graffiti. Lt. LeRoy then diligently patrolled these areas and whenever new graffiti appeared, he immediately again painted over it. Chief Lefancheck stated that this type of diligence is at the heart of the department’s “community service” philosophy and that Lt. LeRoy was very deserving of such recognition.
The second award was presented to Officer Robert A. Thibault for his work in solving a number of felony investigations throughout the Spring and Summer of 2011. Chief Lefancheck noted that because of Officer Thibault’s diligence, several burglary cases were solved. Also, Officer Thibault was the primary investigator on a violent hammer attack, where both suspects were arrested and subsequently sentenced to serve 25 years in state prison. Chief Lefancheck commented that what distinguished Officer Thibault’s work was that while he conducted these investigations; he still performed his road patrol duties in a diligent manner.
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Chief Michael W. Lefancheck congratulating Lt. Thomas LeRoy as Mayor Saraceni looks on. From L-R in the photo is Mayor Joseph Saraceni, Lt. Thomas J. LeRoy and Chief Michael W. Lefancheck.
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L-R is Mayor Joseph Saraceni, Officer Robert Thibault &
Chief Michael Lefancheck.
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BALDWINSVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
NOVEMBER 4, 2011
At the Village Board meeting on November 3, 2011, Chrissy A. Allen was promoted to the position of Police Agent (Sergeant) with the Baldwinsville Police Department. Agent Allen replaces Police Agent John C. Merritt who retired on October 30, 2011, following a distinguished 34 year career with the department.
Prior to being sworn in by Mayor Joseph Saraceni, Chief Michael W. Lefancheck commented that Agent Allen had been with the department for the past six years and prior to that had served with the New York State Park Police. Chief Lefancheck also noted that since being employed by the department, Allen has twice been voted by her peers as the Officer of the Year and has also been the recipient of 15 Departmental Letters of Recognition. Agent Allen will be assigned as the night-shift supervisor, primarily working from 8:00 pm – 4:00 am. Agent Allen holds a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Cortland and resides in Auburn, NY with her husband. She also becomes the first female promoted to the Police Agent position in the department’s history.
Also at the board meeting, Daniel G. Balloni was sworn in by Mayor Saraceni as a police officer with the department. Chief Lefancheck noted that Officer Balloni grew up in the village and was a graduate of Bishop Ludden High School and also holds a bachelors degree from SUNY Albany. Chief Lefancheck commented that Officer Balloni has already been to the police academy and has been working full-time for the Syracuse University Department of Public Safety and part-time for the Skaneateles Police Department. The Chief also mentioned that Officer Balloni is the son of MaryRose and former Baldwinsville Chief of Police John Balloni. Officer Balloni will immediately begin the field training program, which is expected to last approximately 20 weeks.
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From L-R; Chief Michael Lefancheck, newly promoted Police Agent Chrissy Allen & Mayor Joseph Saraceni
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From L-R: Officer Daniel Balloni, Mayor Saraceni & Chief Michael Lefancheck observing Officer Balloni taking his police officer oath
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FOUR FACE DWI CHARGES
On 12-30-11 at about 2:21 am a vehicle was observed on Tappan Street with one headlight not working. The vehicle was stopped and the driver was identified as Shaina Brook, age 20, of 8 Massey Place, Baldwinsville. Alcohol involvement was detected and upon investigation Brook was arrested and charged with DWI, DWI above .08% BAC, No Seatbelt an Inadequate Headlight. Computer checks showed that her license was suspended and she was also found to be in possession of marihuana which resulted in charges of Aggravated Unlicensed Operation 3rd and Unlawful Possession of Marihuana. She completed the booking process and was released on her own recognizance to appear in court on 01-24-12.
On 12-31-11 at about 2:04 am a vehicle was observed on Tappan Street fail to yield the right of way. Police attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver fled and subsequently crashed her vehicle into a tree causing minor injuries. The driver was identified as Denise I. Morse, age 43, of 104 Sargent Ln., Liverpool, NY and was transported to Upstate Hospital for treatment. Morse was arrested and charged with DWI, Failure to Yield the Right of Way, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation 3rd, Inadequate Headlight, Unlicensed Operator, Unsafe Start and Uninspected Vehicle. She was released on her own recognizance to appear in court on 01-18-12.
On 01-04-12 at about 2:11 am, a vehicle was observed on E. Oneida Street with no headlights on. The vehicle was stopped and the driver was identified as Bridget A. Robinson, age 23, of 3605 Redhead Lane, Liverpool. Upon further investigation, Robinson was arrested and charged with DWI, Aggravated DWI with a BAC above .18% and Driving Without Headlights. She was processed and released on her own recognizance to appear in court on 01-25-12.
On 01-08-12 at about 2:44 am, a vehicle was observed on E. Genesee Street with no headlights on. The vehicle was stopped and the driver was identified as Frederick G. Thousand II, age 28 of 126 Barclay Rd., Camillus, NY. Alcohol involvement was detected and Thousand was subsequently arrested and charged with DWI and Inadequate Lights. He was processed and released ROR to appear in court on 01-25-12.
WOMAN FACES LARCENY & DRUG CHARGES
On 12-28-11 at about 9:48 pm, Baldwinsville Police arrested Kristin Conway, age 27, of 480 Idlewood Blvd., Baldwinsville and charged her with Petit Larceny. The arrest stems from an incident that occurred on 12-23-11 at the Kinney Drug Store on E. Genesee Street, where Conway had been observed stealing $138.16 in merchandise. Upon her arrest, Conway was found to be in possession of several pills that she did not have a prescription for, which resulted in an additional charge of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th degree. She was processed and released ROR to appear in court on 01-25-12.
MAN FACES MULTIPLE CHARGES AFTER LEAVING THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT
On 12-28-11 at about 2:45 pm, Baldwinsville Police investigated a property damage accident on E. Genesee Street where one of the drivers had fled the scene. A short time later, a vehicle was located that matched the description and had fresh damage. James S. Johnston, age 43, of 1 Cedarwood Blvd., Apt. D70, Baldwinsville was located and admitted to being the driver and leaving the scene of the accident. Computer checks showed that his driver’s license and the vehicle registration were both suspended. He was arrested and charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation 3rd, Suspended Registration, Unlicensed Operator, Uninspected Motor Vehicle, Uninsured Vehicle and Illegally Tinted Windows. He was processed and released ROR to appear in court on 01-25-12.
WOMAN ARRESTED AFTER PROVIDING ALCOHOL TO A MINOR
On 01-06-12 at about 8:08 am, Baldwinsville Police arrested Jennifer A. Sanders, age 24, of 7122 Lakeshore Rd., Cicero on an arrest warrant charging her with Unlawfully Dealing with a Child. The charge stems from an investigation into an incident on 11-26-11 on Grove Street where it is alleged that Sanders provided alcohol to a 19 year-old female. Sanders was taken into custody on the warrant by Cicero Police and then turned over to Baldwinsville Police for processing. She was arraigned before Judge Huling who released her ROR to re-appear in court on 01-18-12.
TRAFFIC STOP LEADS TO MARIHUANA ARREST
On 01-05-12 at about 1:55 am, a vehicle was observed on Tappan Street with only one headlight. The vehicle was stopped and the driver was identified as Taryn Laffin, age 18, of 1 Cedarwood Blvd., F-94, Baldwinsville. A strong odor of marihuana was noted by the officers as coming from the vehicle and marihuana was subsequently located and Laffin was charged with Unlawful Possession of Marihuana. She was processed and released ROR to appear in court on 01-25-12.
MARIHUANA POSSESSION CHARGED AT BAKER HIGH SCHOOL
On 01—5-12 at about 1:43 pm, school officials at Baker High School, along with the School Resource Officer were advised of students possibly smoking marihuana in the girls bathroom. Further investigation revealed that Kathryn Sinitsas, age 16, of 1646 Kingdom Rd., Baldwinsville was in the bathroom at the time of the incident and she was found to be in possession of a glassine smoking bowl and a plastic baggie containing a small amount of marihuana. She was charged with Unlawful Possession of Marihuana and was released ROR to appear in court on 01-25-12.
TWO CHARGED WITH DRIVING WITH SUSPENDED LICENSES
On 01-01-12 at about 1:03 am a vehicle was observed on E. Genesee Street with only one headlight. The vehicle was stopped and the driver was identified as Brandon W. petty, age 24, of 6651 E. Sorrell Hill Rd., Warners, NY. Computer checks revealed that his drivers license was suspended and he was placed under arrest and charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation 3rd, Unlicensed Operator and Inadequate Lights. He was processed and released ROR to appear in court on 01-18-12.
On 01-09-12 at about 12:07 pm, an operator of a vehicle on E. Genesee Street was observed talking on a cell phone while driving. The vehicle was stopped and the driver identified as Jessica L. Crouch, age 24, of 8593 Woodsboro Dr., Baldwinsville. At that time she was issued a traffic summons and released as the DMV computer system was not functioning. On 01-10-12, the computer checks were conducted and it was determined that Crouch’s license was suspended and she was arrested at about 2:05 pm and charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation 3rd degree. She was processed and released ROR to appear in court on 01-25-12.
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