Staff Reports
NIAGARA FALLS
Suspected pot puts end to ride-along
A 26-year-old Falls woman who showed up at police headquarters Thursday afternoon for a ride-along with a police officer was charged after security found suspected marijuana on her.
Shayla G. Hood, 26, 1827 Linwood Ave., was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana about 2:30 p.m.
While passing through security, the substance, which field-tested positive for marijuana, was found in a cigar holder in her backpack.
Woman caught taking Yankees gear
Shortly after the New York Yankees won the World Series late Wednesday night, Falls police were called to a store on the 1500 block of Military Road after security there caught a woman trying to leave without paying for a Yankees hooded sweatshirt and ball cap.
Falls police said they later charged Gail M. Hitzel, 58, 5549 Bridgeman Road, Sanborn, with petit larceny.
Niagara Falls
• CHARGED: Shaquille D. Ferguson, 16, 4600 Hyde Park Blvd., Apt. 107, was charged with two counts of disorderly conduct and trespass about 8:15 a.m. Thursday, according to Falls police. A report said Ferguson refused orders from a principal to leave Niagara Falls High School. When police said they got involved, they said Ferguson angrily swore at them and refused their orders as well. Eventually taken out of the school by a family member, Ferguson was charged when he tried to re-enter the building. Officers noted that they found a 7-inch steak knife in his backpack.
• CHARGED: Eduardo M. Ortiz, 40, 631 20th St., lower, was charged with petit larceny about 1 p.m. Thursday, according to Falls police. Ortiz was charged after he was caught by police concealing several items in his coat while in a store on the 1700 block of Pine Avenue. Police said he a container of Krazy Glue, deodorant, condoms, a razor and a pair of scissors which he used to cut the tag off of a cane he was carrying, the report said.
• THEFT: A property caretaker for a home on the 1600 block of Weston Avenue told police that sometime Wednesday someone took an unknown quantity of copper pipe from the basement. Police said a boarded-up basement window was kicked in to gain entry.
Wheatfield
• MARIJUANA: Matthew D. Rydzewski, 16, 345 Drake Drive, North Tonawanda, was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana after he was pulled over for reportedly failing to keep right and nearly colliding with a patrol car on Niagara Falls Boulevard. A police report said upon interviewing Rydzewski, a strong odor of marijuana was detected, and the suspect admitted to having “weed” in the vehicle. Rydzewski is due Tuesday in Wheatfield Town Court.
