KIDNAPPING SUSPECT INDICTED ON FIVE FELONY CHARGES
The man previously considered a suspect in last month’s child abduction case has now been charged for the crime. Chautauqua County District Attorney David Foley held a press conference Thursday afternoon in Jamestown City Hall to announce that 22 year old Eric Chant of Jamestown has been indicted on five felony counts related to the abduction and sexual assault of a 12-year-old Girl in the city of Jamestown on Aug. 12, 2011.
The DA’s office has charged Chant with one count of predatory sexual assault against a child, a Class A-II felony; in addition Chant was charged with two counts of rape, kidnapping, and burglary. If convicted, Chant faces a sentence of up to 25 years to life in State Prison. He was arraigned Thursday Morning in the Chautauqua County Court with bail set at $500,000. A pre-motion conference is scheduled for Sept. 19, 2011.
During the early morning of Aug. 12, police say Chant allegedly abducted a 12-year-old Jamestown girl from her home and – with use of a stolen Dodge Caravan – drove her to a deserted road in the town of Poland and assault her. She eventually escaped and found help at a nearby residence. The van was later abandoned in the Chadakoin River in an area of Jamestown. Chant was arrested on unrelated charges days after the incident took place and was announced a suspect in the case on Aug. 22.
ORCHARD PARK MAN FACES CHARGES AFTER BOATING INCIDENT ON CHAUTAUQUA LAKE
An Orchard Park man is in hot water after he allegedly tried to ram a sheriff’s office patrol boat while drunk. Deputies say 21 year old Thomas Bakowski was allegedly recklessly operating his fishing boat in an area of Dewittville around 9 p.m. Thursday night.
Several other fishing boats complained to authorities, but when the Sheriff’s Marine Patrol Boat located Bakowski’s boat and initiated it’s emergency lights, he allegedly sped off. Bakowski is then said to have turned abruptly around and tried to intentionally ram into the side of the Marine Patrol Unit. Afterward, he cut off his navigation lights and sped off into the shallows.
After an investigation and the help of the Sheriff’s road patrol and Starflight, Bakowski and his boat were both located. It was later learned that he was using night vision gear to aid him in eluding Law Enforcement. Upon further investigation it was determined Bakowski was extremely intoxicated. He was arrested on two counts of Reckless Operation of a vessel, No stern light, no navigation lights, Boating while Intoxicated, Refusal to submit to a chemical test, and two counts of Reckless Endangerment. He was sent to the county jail with bail to be set.
NORMAN SMITH TO RECEIVE RITZER LABOR AWARD
An Ashville resident who’s given countless number of hours to his labor union and his community will be the recipient of the 2011 George Ritzer Memorial Award. Organizers of the award say Norman Smith – who’s been involved with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers since 1978 – will be presented with the award on Sunday afternoon during the annual Jamestown Labor Day Celebration. Smith worked his way up from department steward to a business representative responsible for 30 locals for IAMAW District 65. The award is named after local labor leader George Ritzer, who served as president of the Jamestown Area Labor Council for more than 20 years.
Smith will receive the award during a presentation ceremony at 4 p.m. on Sunday during the city’s Labor Day festival at Bergman Park.
CARTS TO PROVIDE BUSING SERVICE ON LABOR DAY IN JAMESTOWN
In other Labor Day news, Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi and the Labor Day Festival Committee have announced that the 32nd Annual Jamestown Labor Day Festival will feature free shuttle service in conjunction with CARTS. The service is available to everyone from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 4th. Buses will depart each hour and half-hour from the Senior Citizens High Rise (West 5th Street), Covenant Manor (3rd and Cherry), Carlson Towers (N. Main & 10th), Anderson’s Towers (Crane Street) and the Jamestown Cycle Shop.
Buses will also depart from Bergman Park each quarter after and quarter of the hour returning to all pick-up points.
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