CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

– MAYVILLE – Vanessa M. Braun, an inmate of the Chautauqua County Jail, was charged Feb. 14 with second-degree harassment and second-degree obstructing governmental administration. She is accused of spitting on an officer while returning to her housing unit.

– CLYMER – Tyler C. Thompson, 31, of Ashville, was charged Feb. 16 with driving while intoxicated, DWI per se, unlicensed operator and moving from lane unsafely. Around 4 a.m. deputies were called to the area of 8344 Main St. for a reported motor vehicle accident. Upon arrival a male operator was located inside his vehicle which had gone off the road into a snowbank. Thompson was identified as the driver and was subsequently charged. He will answer to the charges in Clymer Town Court at a later date.

GOWANDA POLICE DEPARTMENT

— GOWANDA — Gowanda Police happened to be in the right place at the right time to help two young girls early last month.

At approximately 10 p.m., Jan. 8, two young girls flagged down Gowanda Police on Buffalo Street after escaping from the vehicle of an Amherst man, Karan K. Mahna, 22.

The girls, one of whom was 15 years old, told Police that Mahna, an acquaintance from parties at their parents’ house, picked them up in Buffalo to go to McDonald’s. Then, against their wishes, Mahna proceeded to drive to Gowanda without stopping and refusing to let them exit the vehicle.

Once in Gowanda, the two girls escaped the vehicle. Mahna fled the area. Gowanda Police arranged to reunite the girls with their guardian.

Mahna was later located by Gowanda Police and was arrested for unlawful imprisonment in the second degree and child endangerment. He was released on an appearance ticket with the Town of Collins Court.

— GOWANDA — Two weeks after an armed robbery occurred at a Jamestown Street business in Gowanda, a suspect has been caught and charged.

Zachary S. Pierce, 29, of Gowanda, has been charged with robbery in the third degree, criminal possession of a weapon, menacing, and petit larceny after an investigation determined he was responsible for an armed robbery on Jan. 29.

At approximately 2:31 p.m., Jan. 29, a male with his face covered entered a Jamestown Street business, brandishing the razor of a box cutter and demanding cash from the register. After the subject received the cash, he left the business. Gowanda Police, New York State Police, the Erie County Sheriff’s Department, and the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Department all searched for the subject, but were unable to locate him.

The Gowanda Police Department and the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Department then began an investigation into the robbery. The investigation concluded that Pierce was the culprit.

Pierce was located on Feb. 13 and was arrested for robbery in the third degree, criminal possession of a weapon, menacing, and petit larceny. Pierce was arraigned in the Town of Persia Court.

In accordance with the New York State Bail Reform Act, Pierce was released on his own recognizance. He is due back in court at a later date.