Four people from Buffalo have been arrested and are being held in the Chautauqua County Jail on several charges stemming from alleged thefts from a number of area stores. Dunkirk Police were called to the D&F Plaza on Central Avenue around 2:15 PM Friday for a report of shoplifters. Officers say the suspects stole items ranging from candy to medications, clothing, household items, and small electronics valued at over $2,000. Arrested were the following:
37-year-old Richard Ryan, charged with 4th-degree criminal possession of stolen property, 2nd-degree criminal contempt, 7th-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, possession of a hypodermic instrument, 3rd-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, unregistered motor vehicle, improper switched plates, and uninsured motor vehicle. The criminal contempt charge stems from Reese violating an order of protection issued by Amherst Town Court directing him to refrain from all contact with Nicole Andrews.
32-year-old Nicole Andrews, charged with 4th-degree criminal possession of stolen property, petit larceny, 7th-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, and two counts of possession of a hypodermic instrument.
35-year-old Alexander Irizarry-Singh, charged with 4th-degree criminal possession of stolen property, 7th-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, and possession of a hypodermic instrument.
33-year-old Lynn Reese, charged with 4th-degree criminal possession of stolen property, petit larceny, 7th-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, and possession of a hypodermic instrument. Reese was also wanted by Town of Amherst Police on a bench warrant for petit larceny and held on the detainer warrant.
Dunkirk Police say all four subjects used a crude homemade but effective device to defeat stores' anti-theft devices, and were discovered along with the stolen merchandise and heroin and hypodermic needles in their vehicle. Ryan and Andrews are being held without bail due to extensive criminal records, while Reese and Irizarry-Singh are being held on $25,000 cash bail each. Dunkirk Police were assisted by the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office and Fredonia Police in the investigation.
