Several area residents have been arrested in connection with crimes in both Iowa and Illinois.
According to Investigator Joseph D. Smith of the New York State Police, Michael S. Babbage, 19, of Bemus Point and Jesse Strickland, 20, also of Bemus Point, were both charged with possession of marijuana and hydrocodone pills by the Illinois State Police on July 18 while driving on Interstate 80 through the state. At the time of the arrest, the subjects allegedly had close to $7,000 in cash with them as well.
On Aug. 23, Babbage was arrested a second time on I-80 along with Anthony D. Burris, 21, of Jamestown, by the Iowa State Police. Both subjects were charged with possession of a loaded hand gun, trafficking a stolen weapon and possession of marijuana. The subjects also had $2,427 in cash with them at the time of the arrest.
Following an investigation, it was found that the handgun that Babbage and Burris were in possession of when they were charged in Iowa had come from the Jamestown area, implicating the subjects in a burglary that occurred earlier this year.