Prisoner attempts suicide, is in critical condition
An Erie County Holding Center prisoner who attempted to commit suicide over the weekend was listed in critical condition Monday evening in Buffalo General Medical Center, authorities said.
A deputy making required safety checks in the Echo Long Housing Unit found Edward Berezowski, 54, of Williamsville, hanging from his cell gate with his inmate pants wrapped around his neck at about 3:15 p.m. Sunday, according to Undersheriff Mark N. Wipperman. Wipperman said Berezowski was immediately cut down and given CPR, then taken to the hospital.
Several minutes before the discovery was made, at 3:07 p.m., Berezowski had stated he was going to his cell to take a nap, Wipperman said.
Berezowski had been arrested Saturday night for allegedly attacking two workers at the Best Buy store on Transit Road in Clarence.
Walmart employee charged in theft of $3,160
NIAGARA FALLS – An employee was charged Saturday with third-degree grand larceny for allegedly taking money from her cash register during the past two months at the Super Walmart, 1540 Military Road.
Deshia E. Mason, 30, stole money from a register 12 times since July 4, a total of $3,160, police said. Police said the store provided video surveillance.
Role in pharmacy robbery brings 15-month term
A Buffalo man was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to 15 months in prison for his role in a pharmacy robbery.
Scott J. Bald, 26, was previously convicted of conspiracy to distribute oxycodone for taking part in the December 2010 robbery of the Clinton Pharmacy at 2032 Clinton St.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Catherine Baumgarten said Bald conspired with Michael McCallum to rob the pharmacy and then sell most of the prescription pills they stole.
Baumgarten said McCallum jumped over the pharmacy counter, threatened pharmacy employees and stole more than 1,300 prescription pills containing Oxycodone, Oxycontin and Percocet. McCallum, who was convicted of robbery of a pharmacy, was previously sentenced to 27 months in prison.
The sentences are the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Falls man’s throat cut at convenience store
NIAGARA FALLS – A South Avenue man’s throat was cut in an attack just after 1 a.m. Friday.
The victim, 46, was taken from his home to Erie County Medical Center, Buffalo, where he underwent surgery.
Police said the cut extended from his upper ear to his throat. His injuries were described as not life-threatening. His name and condition were unavailable Monday.
The man said he was attacked at a convenience store. Police said they found traces of blood in his home and on a sidewalk leading to 11th Street but could not tell where the attack occurred.
Albion fire damages businesses extensively
ALBION – A fire extensively damaged a building housing businesses on Hamilton Street early Monday, Orleans County officials reported.
Albion firefighters responded to the alarm at 1:54 a.m. at 158 Hamilton St. The large commercial building formerly housed an Agway store, before being broken up into smaller businesses. The fire was brought under control at midmorning.
Father, son plead guilty to $130,000 rebate fraud
A father and son pleaded guilty Monday in Buffalo federal court to fraudulently obtaining more than 8,000 consumer rebates totaling more than $130,000.
Clifford Brehm, 76, of Angola, and Michael Brehm, 51, of Lake View, pleaded guilty to mail fraud in connection with the rebate scheme.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gretchen L. Wylegala said the two men used numerous post office boxes, mail box rentals and home addresses, along with variations of their names and family members’ names, to obtain the rebates. She said Clifford Brehm also used a cash register to produce false receipts.
The Brehms’ guilty pleas are the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division.
Narcotics taken in break-in at Family Health Center
MIDDLEPORT – Narcotics were stolen Sunday during a break-in at the Middleport Family Health Center, according to the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office.
A roof and dropped ceiling were damaged in the break-in at the facility at 81 Telegraph Road, deputies said.
An unspecified amount of hydrocodone and oxycodone was stolen, deputies added.