WHEATFIELD
Man faces fraud, other charges
A Wheatfield man was arrested Monday by Niagara County Sheriff’s Office investigators on fraud and related charges.
Robert Blume, 33, was charged with with three counts of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument and one count of third-degree grand larceny. He pleaded not guilty at an arraignment in North Tonawanda City Court and bail was set at $5,000.
As a result of a lengthy investigation, Blume is accused of creating the Western New York Emergency Lighting Company and then defrauding his investors. Investigators said at least one victim lost a substantial amount of money after being shown fake business records, including alleged dealings with the sheriff’s office, the Town of Wheatfield and local volunteer fire companies.
Niagara Falls
• ARREST: A Falls man was arrested after he hit an unmarked Customs and Border Patrol agent’s car and then fled the scene of the accident. The CBP agent told police he was on patrol at 5:50 a.m. Tuesday, in the 700 block of Pine Avenue, when he saw a car stopped in the middle of the road. After pulling up behind the vehicle, the CBP agent said the driver put his car into reverse and backed into the patrol car. When the agent turned on the patrol car’s emergency lights, the driver jumped from the car and ran. As officers investigated the accident, a woman called police headquarters to report that her car had been stolen, but the thief had returned to her home to report the accident. Police picked up Eddie Andre Robinson II, 20, 1345 1/2 Pierce Ave., Apt. 1, and charged him with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, fourth-degree grand larceny leaving the scene of an accident, unsafe backing and operating a vehicle without a license. Robinson was also charged with second-degree criminal impersonation for lying to police about his identity to avoid being arrested on an outstanding domestic violence warrant.
• THEFT: Officers are looking into a work van break-in in the 2600 block of Seneca Avenue. A company supervisor told police that sometime between 4:45 and 9:48 p.m. Monday someone broke into a van by smashing a rear door window. The supervisor said more than $1,700 worth of tools were taken.
• ARREST: A Falls man was arrested on drunken driving and other charges after a traffic stop in the 6200 block of Niagara Falls Boulevard at 1:15 a.m. Wednesday. Nathan Emil Booth, 33, 4125 Isherwood Drive, was charged with driving while intoxicated, leaving the scene of an accident, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and reckless driving.
• ARREST: A Falls man was arrested after a domestic incident in the 9900 block of Niagara Falls Boulevard at 3:40 a.m. Wednesday. Robert Hampton, 50, 9901 Niagara Falls Blvd., Apt. 32, was charged with third-degree assault, second-degree harassment, endangering the welfare of a child and fourth-degree criminal mischief.
• ROBBERY: Police are investigating a robbery in the 2200 block of Woodlawn Avenue. A 23-year-old man told police he was in the area at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday to drop off an iPhone 4 that he had sold on Craigslist. The victim said he got out of his car and was approached by two suspects who he believed were there to buy the phone. While looking over the phone, one of the suspects asked the victim what time it was and when he took his iPhone 5 out of his pocket to check, the man grabbed the phone and both suspects ran off in an unknown direction with both phones.
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