19yo Nearly Strikes Jogger and Worker 

Buffalo, NY – Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard reports Detective Hediger and Deputies Ballantyne and Phillips responded to calls about a reckless driver operating within Chestnut Ridge Park.  Callers described the vehicle operating erratically and nearly striking a jogger and a park’s employee. 

The Detective and Deputies located the individual near a park shelter, and while speaking with the subject, Deputy Ballantyne observed a marijuana bong in plain view within the vehicle.  Deputy Ballantyne and his narcotics detection canine partner, Cali, performed a search of the vehicle and discovered a quantity of marijuana and hallucinogenic mushrooms.  The search also discovered fireworks, an open container of alcohol, and drug paraphernalia. 

Christopher Wendt, 19 of Orchard Park, was arrested and charged with a felony count of criminal possession of a hallucinogenic substance, and counts of unlawful possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of alcohol by a minor, and consuming alcohol in a county park without a permit. 

The defendant is held at the Erie County Holding Center pending his arraignment.