Governor Kathy Hochul said that’s a 20% increase in the overall number of guns seized due to increased cooperation and communication from the state and regional partnership.

She said New York State Police, New York City Police Department , the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and law enforcement agencies from New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, Ohio, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New Hampshire continue to meet and share information to stop the flow of illegal guns across state lines and prevent further gun violence that is plaguing cities across the country.

From January through March, State Police have doubled the numbers of guns seized and increased the number of gun tracing investigations by 75 percent. State Police have also recovered 20 ghost guns and conducted 167 gun tracing investigations in the first three months of 2022. From these cases, NYSP forwarded 35 investigative leads to 17 states in which a resident of that state was arrested in New York for illegally possessing and trafficking of firearms.

Dayrone Ferguson

JAMESTOWN – The Jamestown Police Department is reporting the arrest of a Buffalo man for allegedly possessing a loaded handgun without a permit.

According to Jamestown Police Captain Robert Samuelson, officers made a traffic stop around 4 a.m. Friday in the parking lot of Rite Aid in Brooklyn Square.   Police say during the stop, a loaded hangun was found inside the vehicle. The operator of the vehicle was identified as 23 year-old Dayrone Ferguson of Buffalo.

Ferguson did not have a permit to carry the gun and as a result he was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and unlawful possession of marijuana.  He was sent to the city jail to await arraignment.

Alex Johnson

JAMESTOWN – An 18-year-old was arrested Friday on menacing and weapons charges.

Jamestown Police were called to the area of McKinley Avenue and Charles Street around 9:41 a.m. Friday morning after a report of a person threatening another person with a pistol.

The victim attempted to flee from the suspect in a vehicle, backing into a telephone pole at the location.
Officers observed the suspect attempting to flee the scene and pursued him on foot. When the suspect failed to comply, officers used a TASER to taken him into custody.

The suspect was identified as Alex K. Johnson.
According to police reports, officers recovered a 9mm pistol from him, as well as a quantity of prescription pills.

Johnson was charged with third degree criminal possession of a weapon, second degree menacing, obstruction of government administration, and seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

No injuries were reported.

Kyle South (left) and Brett Kinney

JAMESTOWN – Jamestown Police arrested two Pennsylvania men early Monday morning after they were involved a high speed chase which started in the city and ended in a rural area outside of Frewsburg near the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus County line.

City police say officers pulled over a 2016 Jeep at 1:30 a.m. Monday near the intersection of E. Second and Main Streets for a minor traffic violation involving an improper turn. Police say the driver initially stopped and a passenger in the vehicle allegedly exited. Afterward, the driver pulled away exit the vehicle. The operator then drove off, leading police on a 20-mile vehicle pursuit that traveled south out of the city to Rt. 60 then to Rt 62 and then eventually through Frewsburg and on to Ivory Road.

Police finally brought the driver into custody after he got stuck while attempting to pull off on a logging road near the Cattaraugus County line.

The driver was identified as 27-year-old Kyle South of Bradford, PA. Following his arrest, police found a loaded .38 cal revolver on the front seat of the car that was found to be stolen from McKean County, Pennsylvania.

South was wanted as a Fugitive from Justice in McKean County for Burglary and is facing multiple vehicle and traffic charges, along with 2nd degree criminal possession of a Weapon and being a fugitive from
Justice.

The passenger was identified as 33-year-old Brett Kinney. He found to be in possession of brass knuckles and is being charged with 3rd degree criminal possession of a weapon and possession of marijuana.

Both are currently awaiting arraignment. Jamestown Police were assisted by the Chautauqua County Sheriffs Department and the New York State Police.

Andre Richards

JAMESTOWN – A Jamestown man has been charged for criminal possession of a weapon on school grounds after a loaded handgun was found in a vehicle parked in a lot at Jamestown Community College.

According to the Jamestown Police Department, officers were patrolling an area of JCC Wednesday night just before 10 p.m. when they noticed several subjects in a vehicle in the parking lot who had littered items onto the ground. When officers approached the vehicle they noticed an odor of marijuana allegedly coming from inside. K-9 Officer Mithcell was called to the scene to search the vehicle and turned up a small quantity of marijuana. the search also located a loaded .22 caliber handgun under the passenger seat.

Police say 18-year-old Andre Richards was taken into custody on an outstanding city court warrant for criminal trespass. He was also charged with Felony Criminal Possesson of a Weapon on School Grounds and Trespass for being banned from JCC school grounds. In addition he was charged with Felony Criminal Possession of a weapon-2nd degree due to not having a pistol permit.

A second occupant in the vehicle, 21 year old Damone McNamee, was also charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

City police say a vehicle was stopped just before 3 a.m. Thursday on Foote Avenue at Briggs Street due to inadequate lights and a loud muffler.

Following an investigation, they found the passenger in the vehicle, 32-year-old Kyle Kamholtz, was allegedly in possession of a loaded .25 caliber pistol.

Kamholtz was taken into custody and charged with felony second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was waiting to be arraigned in Jamestown City Court.

Daniel McKay and Kaylyn Barlow

JAMESTOWN – Two Jamestown residents were charged late last week after police recovered a loaded and defaced pistol, methamphetamine and fake $100 bills.

Jamestown police were patrolling the north side of the city when they saw a vehicle with a loud muffler driving through the area. Officers pulled the vehicle over and inside were 24 year-old Daniel McKay and 22 year-old Kaylyn Barlow. An investigation led to the discovery of a loaded .380 pistol with its serial number defaced.

McKay allegedly had a suspended driver’s license as well. He faces several vehicle and traffic charges, a New York State Parole violation and charges of second- and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

Barlow was allegedly found with 3.9 grams of methamphetamine, less than one gram of heroin and was charged with third- and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and second- and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

Officers also found nine fake $100 bills, though no charges were filed.

Both McKay and Barlow were taken to the Jamestown City Jail until they can be arraigned.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Buffalo says 27 year-old Tyler Craig Anderson and 26 year-old Robert Lincoln were indicted on charges of conspiracy to make false statements to purchase firearms.

Anderson also is charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana, maintaining a drug involved premises and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

The charges stem from the Ellicott Police Department investigating complaints from area residents regarding “suspected drug dealing” at Anderson’s residence on Willard St. Ext.

On March 9, officers executed a search warrant on Anderson’s home and reportedly recovered cocaine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, 14 firearms and ammunition.

Anderson was taken into custody following the search.

A subsequent investigation determined that at least three of the firearms were purchased by Lincoln in Russell, Pa, but shortly thereafter, he turned the firearms over to Anderson.

From left to right: Michael Dubois, Megan Harkenrider, Sheldon Peet, and Glenn Shugart.

JAMESTOWN – Jamestown Police have arrested four people on gun and drug charges following a traffic stop in the city early Wednesday morning.

Arrested were 29 year-old Michael Dubois of Canisteo, N.Y.; 36 year-old Megan Harkenrider of Hornell; 32 year-old Sheldon Peet of Painted Post, N.Y.; and 39 year-old Glenn Shugart of Elmira.

Police say the vehicle, which was driven by Dubois, was stopped for a traffic violation at about 3:15 a.m. at the corner of Falconer and Winsor streets. During the stop, police reportedly found 2 ounces of methamphetamine, nine bags of heroin, cash, drug paraphernalia, a loaded 9 mm pistol and a .380 pistol.

All four were arrested on drug and gun related charges. Dubois was also charged with aggravated unlicensed operation and failure to signal a turn.

The four were arraigned and sent to the Chautauqua County Jail.

Michael Davis

JAMESTOWN – A city man was arrested Tuesday following a police raid where drugs and several guns were found inside his home.

According to Jamestown Police, the Jamestown Metro Drug Task force executed a search warrant around 2:25 p.m. at 25 Baker St. as part of an ongoing investigation into drug trafficking. Police say they found crystal methamphetamine, cocaine, drug paraphernalia, two hand guns, and five long guns.

Arrested was 33-year-old Michael Davis, who faces multiple charges. He was being held in the Jamestown City Jail pending arraignment.