Two Fredonia women were charges after an investigation into a recent shoplifting in the Town of Gerry. Chautauqua County Sheriff's deputies were called to the scene during the early afternoon hours of June 26th. They later saw a vehicle involved in the incident and pulled it over on Route 60 in the Town of Charlotte. Deputies say 42-year-old Kia Briggs was driving while impaired by drugs and on a suspended license. The passenger, 46-year-old Gwyn Steger, allegedly took items from a business without permission. A search of the vehicle discovered stolen merchandise, as well as a powdery substance that later tested positive for fentanyl. Briggs was charged with 1st-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, DWAI-drugs, refusal to take a breath test, and 7th-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Steger was charged with petit larceny and 7th-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Steger was later released with tickets for Gerry Town Court, while Briggs was transported to the Chautauqua County Jail for centralized arraignment.
