CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY SHERIFF

¯ PORTLAND — At about 7:15 p.m. Monday, Chautauqua County sheriff’s deputies stopped a vehicle on Route 20 for a traffic violation. The operator of the vehicle was identified as Allan C. Detweiler, 40, of Sherman.

An investigation into the incident revealed that Detweiler was in possession of a quantity of methamphetamine and was operating on a suspended driver’s license. Detweiler was arrested and charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, no distinct number plate, and unregistered trailer. He is to be in the town of Portland court at a later date.

¯ PORTLAND — Around 7:30 p.m. Saturday, patrol responded to an address on Webster Road for an altercation. Upon further investigation it was found that William J. Burch Jr., 34, of Fredonia subjected another person to unwanted physical contact and violated an order of protection from the Town of Portland Court. He was charged with second-degree harassment and second-degree criminal contempt. He is to be in town court later.

¯ HANOVER — At around 7:30 a.m., deputies responded to an address in the town for a possible altercation. Through an investigation it was found that Jeremiah Haas subjected another person with unwanted physical contact. Haas was charged with second-degree harassment and was transported to the county jail. He will answer to his charges in the Town of Hanover Court later.

Man ticketed for illegal use in Zoar Valley

PERSIA — At 8 p.m. Monday, a state DEC forest ranger observed a vehicle left in the parking lot of the Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area. Due to the dangerous, steep drop-offs, use of Zoar Valley is only permitted sunrise to sunset.

The vehicle was registered to an 85-year-old from Florida. After an initial search of the area, the ranger became concerned the subject could be lost or in need of assistance. Rangers continued to investigate and found the man’s 56-year-old son from New York City was in possession of the vehicle and intended to camp in Zoar Valley.

With the rain and flash flood warning, Rangers began hiking to locate the subject. At approximately 12:30 a.m., Rangers located the subject in a tent, camping 20 feet off the edge of the creek at the bottom of the gorge. Rangers hiked the subject back to his vehicle and issued a ticket for illegal use of the property after sunset.