Staff Reports
NIAGARA FALLS
Car break-ins reported at casino
Niagara Falls police responded to two separate vehicle break-ins on surface lots at Seneca Niagara Casino and Hotel.
A man told officers someone broke into his 2003 Chevrolet Malibu between midnight and 3 a.m. Monday and stole a GPS unit and various cords and electronic devices. Loss and damage were listed at $1,000. Officers believe the burglar used an unknown object to rip apart the door frame and front window.
A 2007 Mercedes Benz parked in a casino lot was reportedly broken into using the same method between 3 a.m. to 4:42 a.m. Three male passengers reported various items stolen, including cell phones, a GPS unit, two Louis Vuitton bags, a pair of Prada shoes, laptop computer and a leather jacket. Total loss and damage is estimated at $22,400.
Niagara Falls
• CHARGED: James Prater Jr., 44, 25 Steele Circle, was arrested at 2:15 p.m. Monday after being found in possession of a Jeep Cherokee that had been reported stolen. Police responded to the 1800 block of Weston Avenue where they found the vehicle parked in front of a building Prater was exiting. Upon seeing officers, Prater began to walk away from the scene but was detained for questioning. Police found the vehicle’s keys on Prater, at which point he told them it was his girlfriend’s car. Officers also found him with two tablets of Zantax. He was charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property and seventh-degree possession of a controlled substance.
• ROBBERY: A dispute between two neighbors escalated into a robbery Sunday afternoon. A Welch Avenue man told police he was involved in an altercation over a parking spot with a man living a few houses down from him at 1:30 p.m. During the incident, the suspect drove his vehicle into the victim’s car and drove away. After reporting it to police, the victim said the suspect confronted him again and called him a “snitch” before punching him in the face and ripping a $900 gold necklace from his neck and leaving the scene.
