OBSERVER Staff Report
A 33-year-old Rochester man is behind bars on a series of assorted charges after a violent domestic dispute turned into a barricaded suspect case.
Dunkirk Police Officers responded to a report of a domestic dispute in the 500 block area of Deer Street Monday around 4:30 p.m. Upon arrival officers were given details of the situation by a female victim who had fled her upstairs apartment and waited for police around the corner.
Article Photos
Michael Nesmith
The victim told police that the suspect, identified as Michael L. Nesmith, 33, of Rochester, and also the victim's ex-boyfriend became irate during an argument over his involvement in narcotics.
The incident reportedly became violent when Nesmith grabbed the woman by the throat and strangled her until she passed out. When she came to she tried to flee but was blocked by Nesmith who threatened her with a 2 by 4 piece of lumber.
She was able to escape when Nesmith was distracted but was pursued to her car where Nesmith threatened to burn the house down if she left and stole cash from her as she tried to leave.
Due to the violent nature of the incident, officers decided to make a tactical forced entry into the apartment. Nesmith had locked and barricaded the doors in an attempt to keep officers from entering.
Once officers gained entry they were able to take Nesmith into custody without incident. During a subsequent search of the apartment officers located significant quantities of crack cocaine and marijuana packaged for sale along with a large quantity of amphetamines. Also seized during the search were an electronic scale and ziplock bags used to package illicit drugs.
Nesmith was charged with felony second-degree strangulation, two counts of felony third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, felony fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, fourth-degree criminal possession of marijuana, criminally using drug paraphernalia, second-degree unlawful imprisonment, petit larceny, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and second-degree menacing.
He is currently being held in the Dunkirk Lockup without bail awaiting action by the Dunkirk City Court.
