Washboard Willy’s II laundry owner Rich Colonna can do nothing but give praise to the Medina Police Department after swift action early Friday morning and the arrest of a suspect.
The laundry, at Starr and Main streets, was the scene of a burglary between 1 and 2 a.m. Friday. Police chief Jose Avila said officers patrolling on the midnight shift discovered the crime — a busted candy machine and the apparent theft of merchandise. Damages are estimated at more than $3,000 and loss of merchandise at around $200.
Levy I. Hill, 36, 11667 E. Scott Road, Medina, was identified Friday and charged Sunday with second-degree criminal mischief and petit larceny after he allegedly threw a rock through the candy machine at Washboard Willy’s II. Hill was arrested on a warrant while at the Orleans County Jail, where he is serving weekends for a previous crime, Avila said.
Colonna said within a matter of hours, the suspect had been identified and an arrest made.
“They are working hard and they are doing what they did and they did solve this burglary in an eight-hour time,” Colonna said. He had been contacted by the police around 3:30 a.m., and within a short amount of time was able to pull images of the suspect from surveillance video.
Though the most recent crime was found by officers on duty around 3:30 a.m., he said information obtained through the course of the initial investigation showed the actual crime being committed a couple hours earlier.
“We later found out through the course of our investigation that it occurred about 1 a.m.,” Avila said. “(The suspect) picked up a rock, threw it, went into the machine and stole a large quantity of candy, crackers and what-have-you.”
With the aid of a surveillance camera inside the laundry and the video feed connected to Colonna’s home, he was able to bring up what was caught on camera and gave the image to Avila. Colonna said that without the video, the police wouldn’t have had much to go on initially in the investigation. He encourages other business owners to install their own equipment in order to protect their assets.
“This video thing is a huge thing now — Big Brother is watching,” Colonna said. “You come into my laundromat, you’re on video. Any of my establishments ... you’re on video. It’s just the way it is in this type of era and time.”
Although the surveillance played a role in the investigation, Colonna gives much of the credit to the officers on duty and said, “They need a little bit of applause here.”
“The Medina Police Department were able to view through the windows and see the broken machine,” he said. He added that he keeps the interior of the building well lit at night, despite energy costs. “I’ve got to give that officer credit.”
Avila said the investigation is continuing, and there is a possibility of other charges being brought against Hill.
Contact reporter Miranda Vagg at (585) 798-1400, ext. 2225.
Local News
MEDINA: Police praised for fast work
- Local News
-
-
Local pro-lifers protest in D.C.
Thousands of abortion opponents marched to the Supreme Court on Monday to mark the 39th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion, and supportive lawmakers urged them to further their cause by working to defeat President Barack Obama in the fall.
-
Cardenas trail set for March
The trial of Carlos Cardenas will move forward in March at the Orleans County Court following the conclusion of a pre-trail hearing on the admissibility of statements made by Cardenas.
-
Board resets salaries
Albion Town Clerk Sarah Basinait and Highway Superintendent Jed Standish, whose salaries were chopped in the 2012 town budget, will not see a pay decrease after all.
-
Senate passes Abbagail's Law
Legislation passed in the New York State Senate could have far-reaching effects for those caught under the influence while acting as a supervising driver.
-
YMCA growth is community plus
Efforts to expand both regionally and in programming is apparently paying big dividends as YMCA membership is up some 35 percent over the past year and a half.
-
Library story hour
Children’s Services Librarian Sue McAllister is reading a story to children from the Head Start program at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library. This is a monthly story hour program the library does for Head Start.
-
Albion tries to figure out Albany's intent
The imposition of a property tax cap is forcing the Albion Central School District to make budget changes, but Superintendent Michael Bonnewell says the issue is due more to an unknown procedure than the levy requirements.
Albion has held tax rates level or lower in recent years. The district is still working to determine where the levy will land, but they expect to slide well below the state-set ceiling for property tax levy increases.
The challenge Albion faces, Bonnewell said, is correctly deciphering the state’s intentions and avoiding penalties if they guess wrong. -
Wine About Winter ramping up
Downtown Medina Businesses will once again be opening their doors and popping corks to celebrate Wine About Winter, which returns for a third year from 2 to 7 p.m. Feb. 4.
More than 30 businesses will participate in the Medina Business Association event, which gives patrons a wine glass and a map of local businesses hosting wine tastings and special offers. -
Strickland Auxiliary donated to vets
Recently Patricia Nolan, president; Corinne Pahura, first vice president and chairman of veterans and family support committee; and Joyce O’Connor, treasurer of Strickland Ladies Auxiliary, Post No. 4635 Veterans of Foreign Wars, delivered a check for $500 to Paul Fulcomer, executive director of Orleans County Joint Council.
-
Dinner, dancing and fundraising
The Lyndonville Music Boosters are hosting a night of dinner and dancing Saturday as part of the final push to raise funds for a music trip to Orlando.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial
Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants
Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed
Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries
