Buffalo, NY – Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard reports Deputies patrolling Erie County made several arrests over the Easter weekend.

March 23, 9:15 p.m.; Town of Boston – Deputy Grabar initiated a traffic stop on Herman Hill Road on a vehicle operated by Christopher Fox.  Following the Deputy’s investigation, Fox, 36 of Orchard Park, was arrested and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, improper plates and an equipment violation.  He was released on tickets and the vehicle was towed.

March 23, 9:53 p.m.; Town of Grand Island – On this night, Deputy Clark observed a vehicle traveling on Bedell Road with a broken tail light.  The Deputy conducted a traffic stop and his subsequent investigation discovered the vehicle’s registration was suspended.  The driver, John Braymiller, 36 of Grand Island, was arrested for operating a vehicle with a suspended registration and an equipment violation.  The license plates were confiscated and the operator was released on tickets.

March 24, 12:44 a.m.; Town of Elma – Shane Lein was pulled over by Deputy Tyczka for speeding on Transit Road.  Deputy Tyczka discovered Lein, 23 of Buffalo, was driving with a suspended license and Lein was also found have an active warrant from the Ellicottville Police Department for failing to appear for a separate suspended license charge.  Lein was taken to the Erie County Holding Center pending his arraignment.

March 25, 9:22 p.m.; Town of Evans – Arthur Lachut, 28 of Lakeview, was stopped by Deputy Breinlinger on Route 20 for a suspended insurance policy.  The Deputy’s investigation discovered the insurance was valid however the operator’s license has an active suspension.  Lachut was arrested and later released on tickets for aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle.

March 26, 4:54 a.m.; Town of Wales – Deputy Avery stopped a vehicle on Route 78 after he observed the vehicle weaving and crossing the fog line.  When he approached the vehicle, the Deputy detected the odor of alcohol coming from the driver.  Elisabeth Pratt, 22 of Sardinia, submitted to field sobriety tests which she later failed.  The operator was transported to the Elma Substation where a chemical test revealed a BAC of nearly twice the legal limit.  Pratt was arrested and charged with DWI, failure to stay within the lane and operating an uninspected vehicle.  The defendant was released to a sober third party.

March 26, 10:20 a.m.; Town of Newstead – Deputies responded to North Millgrove Road for a report of a delivery truck in a ditch.  The Deputies began speaking to the driver and they observed signs of intoxication.  The driver, Michael Juzdowski, 41 of Lancaster, failed field sobriety tests and was transported to the Clarence Substation for evaluation by the sheriff’s Drug Recognition Expert.  Deputy Biegasiewicz concluded his DRE evaluation and determined the Juzdowski was under the influence of a narcotic drug.

Juzdowski was arrested and charged with DWI drug, aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle and other vehicle and traffic violations.  The defendant is scheduled to appear in the Town of Newstead court on April 13.

March 26, 4:27 p.m.; Town of Brant – While patrolling Route 20, Deputy Van Wie stopped a vehicle after the license plate reader indicated the vehicle’s registration was suspended.  Upon investigation of the operator, the Deputy discovered that Daniel Paige, 30 of Buffalo, had four active suspensions on his license.  Paige was arrested and taken to the Erie County Holding Center for an aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle charge. 

Subsequent to the arrest, Deputy Ballantyne and K9 Hayco searched the vehicle and discovered marijuana and drug paraphernalia.  The passenger, Justin Snell, 27 of Buffalo, was arrested for unlawful possession of marijuana and was later released.

March 26, 7:39 p.m.; Town of Alden – A driver was found by Deputy Zamorek slumped over the steering wheel of a car in a McDonald’s parking lot.  When the operator was revived and asked to identify himself, he gave the name of Nicholas Jurek.  Upon the Deputy’s investigation, it was revealed the driver’s true identity was Michael Jurek, 26 of Alden.  It was also discovered Jurek had an active warrant out of North Tonawanda. 

DRE Deputy Biegasiewicz was dispatched to perform an evaluation and Jurek was charged with DWI drugs, improper insurance, driving without a license, and criminal possession of a controlled substance. The defendant was taken to the Erie County Holding Center in lieu of $500 bail.

March 27, 12:21 p.m.; Village of Springville – Deputies stopped a speeding vehicle on Waverly Road.  Upon their investigation, it was discovered the operator’s license, Jenelle Santiago, 31 of Colden, was suspended for failing to a to a court summons.  Santiago was issued tickets for speeding and aggravated unlicensed operation.