MAN NABBED TWICE IN SAME DAY FOR SHOPLIFTING

   Jan. 4, 2007 - Once just wasn’t enough for a Buffalo shoplifter, who resumed stealing within an hour of being released from jail the first time.

     Cheektowaga Police Officers Chris Wachowiak and John Skonecki were dispatched to the Walden Avenue Tops just before 5 p.m. Jan. 3 to arrest a shoplifter who had been detained by the store manager with help from an off-duty Buffalo police officer who happened to be in the parking lot at the time.

     Winford Tyes, 37, of Humboldt Parkway in Buffalo was arrested for petit larceny and taken to the police station for booking. He was released at 6:35 p.m. on an appearance ticket.

     At 7:10 p.m., officers Wachowiak and Skonecki were dispatched to the Walden Avenue Kmart to apprehend a shoplifter. It was the same man.

     Tyes was arrested again and after booking was sent to the Erie County Holding Center.

KEEP SAFE WHEN DRIVING DURING WINTER

      Jan. 1, 2007 - All drivers should be prepared for winter driving conditions and winter driving emergencies. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued these winter driving safety tips:

     ▪ Make sure the car is ready for winter driving. Is the battery good? Are the tires and treads in good condition? Put no-freeze fluid in the water reservoir. Check the cooling system’s anti-freeze.

     ▪ See and be seen; keep all windows and headlights clear of snow. Keep a scraper and snow brush are in the car at all times.

     ▪ Have emergency supplies on hand, including flashlight; jumper cables; abrasive material, such as cat box filler, for traction; shovel; warning devices; blankets. For long winter trips, be sure to bring along food, water, medication, extra blankets and cell phone.

     ▪ Stopped or stalled? Stay with the car. Don’t overexert yourself attempting to get clear. Put a bright marker on the antenna or in the windows, and shine the dome light. Clear the exhaust pipe if the car is kept running. Do not run the car for long periods of time; just long enough to remove the chill in the air.

     ▪ Slow down; stopping distances are longer on snow-covered roadways. Keep plenty of space between you and other cars.

     ▪ Even before venturing out on the road at this time of year, practice winter driving in a wide open area or vacant parking lot. Practice steering into a skid to familiarize yourself with what your brakes do; with anti-lock brakes, stomp and steer, without ABS, pump the brakes to avoid locking the wheels.

     ▪ Keep your eyes open for pedestrians walking on the road.

     ▪ Stay alert, calm and patient.

    Town residents are reminded that the winter parking ban is in effect through April 1.

   Cars may not be parked on the street between the hours of 1-6 a.m. In the Village of Sloan, the parking ban is in effect from 2-7 a.m., through March 15.