Police Report 2/09 - 2/15

If the Port Allegany Police had on its roster a country-western singer like the late Bob Flower, Eldred native and longtime police chief at Cuba, N.Y., they’d have been singing “Slippin’ Around” (or at least a parody) in the week that began Monday, February 9. Can you hear the Floyd Tillman tune?

Last Monday at 8 a.m. Chief Dave Distrola received a third-party report that a tractor-trailer had slid into a parked car parked on the east side of the Square at 5:30 a.m. The caller stated that the truck tried to stop for a red light at the intersection of North Main Street with Mill Street, and hit a parked Crown Victoria. The driver returned later and information was exchanged.

[Is that Bob Flower and the Stardusters on WLSV?

“Seems they always have to slip around

When rain turns into ice

Slippin’ around

When snow is on the ground…”]

At 9 a.m. Distrola responded to the intersection of South Main Street with Route 155 South where a disturbance had been reported. The fire police had been stopping traffic from using Route 155 S. due to poor road conditions, and a motorist had become irate because he wanted to travel the road to get to work. He was advised to use a detour.

At 12:30 p.m. Distrola was dispatched to an East Mill Street residence for a report of a parked vehicle sliding down a driveway. The caller was able to notify the owner prior to Distrola’s arrival, and the owner halted the backsliding.

At 2:40 p.m. Distrola received a complaint about an unwanted text message. The caller indicated that a text message had been received from an unknown person, and when the texter was called, that person said the initial call had been made by mistake. The local resident was advised to block the number.

Last Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. Distrola received a complaint of an apparent tax fraud related to TurboTax. The caller reported that he had attempted to file a tax return and was informed that a return  using his Social security number had been filed already,. He was advised to contact federal agencies including the Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Trade Commission.

At 12 p.m. Distrola was called to Penny Lane for a vehicle lockout, and the car was unlocked. While Distrola was there he was informed that a passenger in the vehicle had become irate and had been belligerent toward tenants prior to Distrola’s arrival. The passenger was warned and released.

At 2:25 p.m. Distrola responded to a rear-end collision at Route 6 West and North Main Street. The drivers were assisted in exchanging information, and released. The crash was non-reportable, there being only minor damage and no injuries.

[Can you hear the Stardusters now? Bob Flower gave the phrase “police band” a whole new meaning.

“There’s action without traction now

At least till roads are clear;

We just have to slip around

And live in constant fear…”]

At 4:50 p.m. Officer Tony Tanner was contacted about a money dispute. The caller told of having loaned money to another person who had not paid it back. The caller was advised that such civil matters should be addressed in the magisterial district court.

Wednesday at 4 a.m. Tanner received a report of a missing female from Olean, N.Y. She was said to have left a bar in the company of three males, presumably heading for Port Allegany. Soon it was learned that she had been dropped off at a store in Eldred and had gone back home.

Thursday at 3:15 p.m. Distrola received a report of an assault at the Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center. It was reported that a male student had struck another male student. Investigation is ongoing.

At 11:15 Tanner assisted a motorist with a vehicle lockout at Sheetz.

Friday at 1:15 a.m. Tanner was contacted about a child retrieval issue. A parent went to a local residence to pick up the child but no one was there. The complainant later made contact with the resident and the child was returned.

Saturday at 1:20 a.m. Officer Adam Dickerson was called to Sheetz for a report of an intoxicated customer being loud. When Dickerson arrived some friends of the customer showed up and agreed to take the subject home.

At 2 a.m. Dickerson was called to Sheetz again where a large group of persons was being unruly and attempting to cause a disturbance. Dickerson advised the persons to leave, and they complied.

At 10 a.m. Officer Jason Crants was contacted about abandoned vehicles on a property that had just been purchased through a tax sale. The officer was unable to obtain vehicle identification numbers  because of ice and snow. The caller was advised to contact Andrews Salvage.

At 10:37 a.m. Crants received a call from a Mill Street resident about a possible scam. The caller reported having received a message to call back and provide information over the phone. Crants advised the caller to check on the number through Google. This provided information that the call had indeed been a scam.

Sunday at 10:49 a.m. Crants went to the scene of a reportable vehicle crash at the intersection of Vine Street with North Main Street. A red Jeep operated by Curtis Black, Smethport, had been traveling up Vine Street when it slid through a stop sign into the path of a maroon Subaru operated by Esther Cook of Olean, N.Y., which was traveling in the southbound lane of North Main Street. Neither driver was injured. The Subaru was towed.

[“I know just how it feels to wait

In chilly misery.

Now I’ll just have to pay the freight

To the towing company…”]