Fire Displaces Three Families

WESTFIELD — A village fire late Thursday has displaced three families.

Chautauqua County sheriff’s deputies report that at about 10:22 p.m. the Westfield Fire Department responded to a residential house fire on Washington Street. The residence was a multi-family apartment. The Westfield Fire Department requested the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Fire Investigation respond to the scene.

Fire Investigators determined the fire originated on a kitchen range which spread throughout the room. No injuries were reported. The American Red Cross will be assisting the families.

CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

¯ RIPLEY — Matthew G. Snyder, 37, was taken into custody at 1 p.m. on Thursday at a Burton Avenue residence in Ripley. Snyder was wanted for disobeying a mandate. He was transported to Chautauqua County Jail for arraignment.

CATTARAUGUS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

¯ A Cattaraugus County man accused of stealing more than $195,000 from an elderly victim was taken into custody Friday.

Michael D. Zarzecki, 49, of Allegany was charged following an elder abuse investigation by the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Bureau. Zarzecki is scheduled to appear in court later on charges of second-degree grand larceny and endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person.

No further information regarding the theft was provided by the Sheriff’s Office.

DUNKIRK POLICE

¯ DUNKIRK — What began as a peace officer with officers standing by for property removal, evolved into an armed person in crisis on a rooftop in Dunkirk on Thursday.

While patrols were on scene during the late afternoon, a 34-year-old male armed himself with a straight razor and knife and went on to a roof. After approximately three hours of negotiating with the subject, officers, Dunkirk Police negotiators and detectives, with the assistance from Chautauqua County Mobile Crisis and Dunkirk Fire Department, were able to talk the subject out of the house without incident and he was transported to UPMC Jamestown for an evaluation.

A portion of East Seventh Street was shut down for a period of time while patrols were on scene.