Buffalo, NY – Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard reports his Deputies arrested five individuals following investigations of impaired driving.

June 24, 2:08 A.M., Town of Elma – Deputy Hoffman stopped a vehicle on Transit Road after he observed the vehicle swerving in and out of the lane of travel.  While speaking with the operator, the Deputy observed signs of intoxication and administered field sobriety tests.  Shawn Shearer, 38, of Orchard Park failed multiple field sobriety tests and refused to submit to a breath test; the subject was subsequently arrested and charged with a felony count of DWI – previous conviction, refusing to take a breath test, drinking alcohol in a vehicle on a highway, and a traffic violation.  The Deputy discovered Shearer’s license has been revoked since February 2014 and added a felony count of aggravated unlicensed operation to the list of charges. 

Shearer was released from the Erie County Holding Center after posting $500.00 bail. 

June 25, 2:53 A.M., Town of Colden - Deputy Dunn was dispatched to Center Road for reports of a vehicle off the roadway.  Upon his arrival, he observed a vehicle in a ditch and the operator attempting to drive the vehicle out of the ditch.  When Deputy Dunn spoke with the driver, the Deputy detected the strong odor of alcohol and proceeded to administer standard field sobriety tests.  John Goldfinch, 44, of Orchard Park failed the sobriety tests and a breath test indicated a BAC level of more than twice the legal limit.  Goldfinch was arrested and charged with Aggravated DWI and two vehicle and traffic violations.  The defendant was released with appearance tickets for Colden Town Court. 

June 25, 10:32 P.M., Town of Clarence – Deputy Malican responded to Conner Road for reports of a vehicle in a ditch.  When the Deputy spoke with the operator, the driver stated he swerved to avoid hitting a deer.  While speaking with the driver, the Deputy observed signs of impairment and administered standard field sobriety tests.  After failing multiple tests, the operator, Robert Manfreda, 32,  of Williamsville volunteered the fact that he had taken Suboxone.  Manfreda was searched before being placed in the patrol car and the Deputy discovered a glass pipe containing marijuana.  Sergeant Lehning searched the vehicle and discovered a syringe and a metal spoon with heroin residue in the pocket of the front passenger seat. 

Deputy Zamorek, a Drug Recognition Expert, evaluated the subject and determined Manfreda was impaired by cannabis and narcotics.  Manfreda is charged with felony DWI-Drugs due to a prior conviction in the past ten years, criminal possession of a controlled substance, possession of a hypodermic instrument, and possession of marijuana.  The defendant was released on appearance tickets for Clarence Town Court. 

June 26, 2:01 A.M., Town of Sardinia – A local fire chief called the Erie County Sheriff’s Dispatchers to report a vehicle off the road, with the operator still in the vehicle along Matteson Corners Road.  Deputy Girdler arrived and observed the vehicle in the ditch, with the engine still running, and vomit down the side of the driver’s door.   The Deputy began administering standard field sobriety tests when Michael Holmes, 32, of Sardinia became belligerent and uncooperative, refused to perform any more tests, and began shouting vulgarities and threats. 

Holmes refused to submit to a breath test multiple times, and he was subsequently charged with DWI, drinking alcohol in a vehicle on a highway, refusing to submit to a breath test, speeding, and three other vehicle and traffic law violations. Holmes remains in the Erie County Holding Center pending his arraignment. 

June 26, 2:10 A.M., Town of Alden – Deputy Lundberg responded to an “Unknown Trouble Call” on Broadway near a grocery store.  When the Deputy arrived at the area, he observed a vehicle on the shoulder of the road and initiated a traffic stop. While speaking with the driver, the Deputy detected the odor of alcohol, and when questioned, the operator admitted to consuming alcoholic beverages.  After failing field sobriety tests, Christine Harling, 21, of Alden was arrest and taken to the Clarence Substation for further testing.  A breath test result indicated Harling had a BAC level nearly 1.5 times the legal limit.  The driver is charged with DWI and a vehicle and traffic violation. She was later released on appearance tickets for Alden Town Court.