Published: June 17, 2009 08:27 pm      

BLOTTER: Police reports published June 18

BUFFALO

Feds say they’ve broken Canada-U.S. Ecstasy ring

Federal authorities say they’ve disrupted a Canada-to-United States Ecstasy ring with the arrest of 20 people, most in Western New York.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Buffalo and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement say the suspects are charged in a 24-count indictment with conspiracy to smuggle the drug into the U.S. from Canada and distribute it.

Of those arrested, 17 live in the Buffalo area, two are from New York City and one is from Chicago.

If convicted, they face up to 40 years in prison and fines of $2 million.



Niagara Falls

• ARREST: A Falls man was arrested after a shoplifting incident at a supermarket in the 1000 block of Portage Road. Aaron R. Knowles, 24, 631 20th St., Apt. 3, was charged with petit larceny. A store manager told officers he spotted Knowles in the store at 4 p.m. Wednesday and saw him conceal a number of items and then try to leave the store without paying for them.

Wilson

• FIRE: An Ide Road man reported that he was cleaning spilled paint on carpeting Wednesday in the basement with gasoline and when he tried to vacuum the spot, the carpet caught fire. Damage was contained to a small portion of the carpet but there was heavy smoke damage to the two-story home. Wilson fire official believe that static electricity started the small fire.

City of Lockport

• CHARGED: Timothy J. Zastrow, 51, 243 Pine St., was charged with passing a red traffic signal, driving while intoxicated and seat belt violation. Zastrow was stopped on Pine Street at 11:45 p.m. on Tuesday. According to the report, Zastrow had red bloodshot glassy eyes, slurred speech and the odor of alcohol. He failed field sobriety tests.

• MENACING: Peter T. Harris, 49, 74 LaGrange St., was charged with second degree harassment and menacing. The patrol was dispatched to LaGrange Street on Monday at 9 p.m. The victim stated that Harris was intoxicated and was threatening to kill her and himself. He destroyed property. Harris was located at LaGrange and Cottage Street and arrested. The victim said she was afraid for her life and asking for a limited order of protection..Wilson

• FIRE: An Ide Road man reported that he was cleaning spilled paint on carpeting Wednesday in the basement with gasoline and when he tried to vacuum the spot, the carpet caught fire. Damage was contained to a small portion of the carpet but there was heavy smoke damage to the two-story home. Wilson fire official believe that static electricity started the small fire.