Staff Reports
NIAGARA FALLS
Three men arrested on drug, other charges
Falls cops charged three men after a traffic stop Thursday in the area of Portage Road and Walnut Avenue Thursday afternoon.
Officers said they stopped a car driven by Nicholas Kuhn after they spotted a passenger in the car, Anthony Zasimowick, not wearing his seat belt. After stopping the car, officers could smell an odor of marijuana and Kuhn told them, “We all just got done smoking a joint.”
Kuhn, 21, 1260 Flanigan Road, Hinsdale, failed field sobriety tests and was charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs and unlawful possession of marijuana for a baggie of pot that was found in his pocket.
Zasimowick, 21, 1829 East Hill Road, Hinsdale, was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of marijuana and no seat. Officers said he had 7.5 ounces of marijuana in his possession.
Also arrested was Kyle Richard Christian, 19, 721 Spruce St., a passenger in the backseat of Kuhn’s car. Christian had 2.5 ounces of pot and over $1,500 cash in his possession.
He was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of marijuana.
Niagara Falls
• BURGLARY: Police are investigating a burglary in the 600 block of Eighth Street. A 26-year-old man told officers sometime between 1 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wednesday someone broke into his home through a side window. The victim said a speaker and some amplifiers were taken.
• BURGLARY: Officers are looking into a burglary in the 1300 block of Michigan Avenue. A 35-year-old woman told police sometime between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m. Wednesday someone broke into her home by breaking a side window. The victim said a 19-inch flatscreen TV, a DVD player and a laptop computer were taken.
• BURGLARY: Police are investigating a burglary in the 700 block of 15th Street. A 48-year-old man told officers sometime between 8 p.m. Tuesday and 10:30 a.m. Wednesday someone broke into his home by kicking in the door. The victim said two leather coats and $100 in change was taken.
Pendleton
• DWI: Michael F. Buttitta, 37, 5812 Fisk Road, was charged Thursday with first-degree driving while intoxicated and unlawful possession of marijuana. Officers pulled over a vehicle they saw going in and out of a parking lot. Police said they detected the odor of alcohol and marijuana on the driver’s breath. Buttitta reportedly admitted to deputies that he had a six-pack of beer at his barn before he went for a drive. He failed all sobriety tests and was found to have suspected marijuana in his possession. Buttitta was taken to the Niagara County Jail and is due Dec. 9 in Pendleton Town Court.
