Niagara Falls Police Blotter

HIT AND RUN: A Falls man was taken into custody following a car and foot chase after a collision with a vehicle near 19th Street and Ferry Avenue at about 7 p.m. Friday. The person whose car was hit called 911. Responding police saw the alleged driver driving near the scene and attempted a traffic stop. The drive fled with police following at a safe distance but ending in a foot chase. The suspect was followed into a building and taken into custody by officers who targeted him with a Taser as well as a firearm in a tense situation but did not pull the trigger. The suspect’s vehicle crashed on top of a rock. Charges included fleeing police in a motor vehicle, speed not reasonable, leaving the scene of an accident, improper signalling, operating with n improper license, reckless driving and resisting arrest.

WOMAN SCORNED: Police were called to a Belden Place address for an incident of criminal mischief at 11:03 p.m. Friday after a woman was reported to have smashed out a window as well as a windshield while looking for her boyfriend who was not there. Police drove in the direction of travel given by the victim and identified the suspect who was brought back for a show-up and charged with criminal mischief.

NEIGHBOR DISPUTE: Police were called to the 400 block of 20th Street for a neighbor dispute at about 3 p.m. Saturday. As an agitated group of people prepared to fight an aggressive drive approached the scene and behaved as if he was ready to fight. Police asked him to stand down. He refused and was taken into custody on a disorderly conduct charge. Given that police had only one patrol car with a cage to retain anyone, and it was already full, and it appeared a fight was still about to start, officers used the threat of a pepperball gun to quell the mayhem.

WALGREENS SHOPLIFTER: At almost 8 p.m. Monday, police were called to Walgreens Pine Avenue for a shoplifter. An 8th Street resident had left the scene without paying for items valued at more than $54. She was located nearby. The items were retrieved. She was charged with petit larceny.

MIND YOUR BUSINESS: A homeless man was using derogatory language and swearing at officers near Tops International, Niagara Falls Boulevard at 9:02 p.m. Monday and intervening in a customer dispute that did not concern him. He tried to tell police he was just exercising his 1st Amendment right but they gave him a disorderly conduct ticket anyway.