Buffalo, NY – Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard reports his office arrested 28-year-old Newstead resident for stealing two vehicles and a rifle from a parking lot in Alden.

Deputy Nati responded to a report of a suspicious person with a gun on Bayview Drive in the Village of Alden.  The Deputy located the car at a gas station at the corner of Broadway and Crittenden roads and initiated a DWI investigation which resulted in a felony DWI charge.  Subsequent to the DWI arrest, the car was searched and a loaded rifle was discovered.  Further investigation revealed that Carl Cala stole the vehicle and dealer plates.

The Deputies Nati and Soluri also discovered the defendant stole a second vehicle prior to this incident only to abandon the auto due to mechanical problems.  Additional charges were filed that included two counts of felony grand larceny of an automobile and a felony count of grand larceny of a firearm.

When Cala was transported to the Erie County Holding Center, Deputies discovered cocaine in his possession.  Detectives added a felony charge of introducing contraband into a prison and criminal possession of a controlled substance.

At the end of the investigation, Cala was charged with four separate felonies, five misdemeanors, and four infractions.

Cala is currently held at the holding center pending his arraignment on September 18.