PFEIFFER: No ‘brownie points’ for thieves

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March 30, 2007

By Rick Pfeiffer/pfeifferr@gnnewspaper.com The Niagara Gazette Fri Mar 30, 2007, 07:42 PM EDT

I used to think that “do-overs” (sometimes called mulligans) were only used in the great sport of golf, but it appears I was mistaken.

The error of my assumption is pointed out by the arrest of Amber Rowlett on Tuesday night, a woman desperately looking for a “do-over” from Cataract City cops.

Rowlett was picked up by police after she pilfered a purse from a car parked at the corner of Seventh and Niagara streets.

A 25-year-old woman had ventured into the convenience store there and when she came out she saw Rowlett and another woman hoofing their way down Seventh Street. As the victim drove away, she realized her purse was gone from her car and went to get a male friend.

The couple returned to the scene of the crime to find Rowlett and her friend hanging on the street like a pair of innocents. Rowlett’s friend, spotting the victim, said, “Amber, give (the purse) back.”

The response from Rowlett was to run and hide in a nearby home. The response of the victim was to call the cops.

When police arrived, they put the collar on Rowlett, who finally fessed up to her crime. Sort of.

After directing police to the location of the purse, which was in some nearby bushes, Rowlett expressed some shock when cops went to put her in cuffs.

“I gave her purse back,” Rowlett said. “Doesn’t that count?”

When police told her returning stolen property didn’t exactly make everything right again, the cagey criminal then suggested she hadn’t really stolen anything.

“There was only $2 and some change in the wallet,” Rowlett lamented.

Clearly a case where crime didn’t pay ... much.

Gee, what a couple of cops

The Falls community said good-bye to veteran Police Officer Bobby Gee last Saturday night at a retirement part attended by more than 300 people. The cliché is true, a good time, a very good time, was had by all.

Now comes word that another Officer Gee is looking to make a mark on the city police department.

Gee’s daughter, Marsha, a two-year veteran of the force, has been nominated as an America’s Most Wanted All-Star. She was recognized as “self motivated ... eager to improve her tactical approach to police work ... dedicated to proactively patrolling her beat and improving the quality of life to the community she serves.

The all-star award program features online voting to select weekly winners through the middle of April. To vote for Marsha, you need to log on to www.AMW.com, click on the “All-Star” icon and follow the instructions.

Anyone can vote, but you can only cast one vote a day.

Each weekly winner will be profiled on the America’s Most Wanted TV show and becomes eligible for a grand prize of $10,000 and a trip to the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series All-Star Challenge in May.

Kudos to the academy kids

Congratulations to the 18 teens who graduated this week from the Falls Police Department’s Youth Police Academy.

Patterned after the popular Citizens Police Academy, the program looks to give young people a better understanding of what is involved in police work. The students get to experience some of the same training that real police officers receive.

Last week, they wrapped up their “training” with a little time on the police firing range. The teens even got the opportunity to shoot the same weapon that Falls cops use.

A few more farewells

The retirements keep on coming from 520 Hyde Park Blvd.

The latest to go, veteran lieutenants William “Sticky” Szczykutowicz and Joe Morrison. Actually, “Sticky” is already gone and Joe took his final tour last night. They’ll be honored at a retirement party on April 14.

Longtime traffic cop Russ DeFranco will say so long in a couple of months and rumors are flying that some other “high profile” members of the department may depart before the end of 2007.

Sad to see so much experience going out the door.

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