#WarrantWednesday featured subject of the week.

It's still snowing, and we are still looking for these subjects. This week's #WarrantWednesday
http://www2.erie.gov/sheriff/index.php?q=warrants

WEBSITE TIP DIRECTS UNIT TO HEROIN, COCAINE AND MARIJUANA GROW
Sheriff’s Office Works Fast; Arrests Occur Hours after Receiving Tip

Buffalo, NY – Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard reports his Narcotics Unit, with help from the Kenmore Police Department, arrested three suspects associated with a marijuana growing operation as well as possessing heroin and cocaine.

In the midafternoon of April 16, the Narcotics Unit located a vehicle believed to be transporting heroin between the City of Buffalo and Village of Kenmore. Deputy Retzlaff conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of Zimmerman Boulevard and Delaware Road after observing vehicle and traffic law violations. The occupants, Christian Roberts and Kari McKeever, were found to be in possession of multiple bags of heroin and needles then the pair were taken into custody

Members of the Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit and the Kenmore PD then executed a search warrant of Roberts’ residence at 1239 Kenmore Avenue in Kenmore. There, officers located a marijuana growing operation with over 200 marijuana plants in the upper level of the residence. Also discovered during the raid, was a rifle, a quantity of cocaine, packing materials, digital scales, and cutting agents. Roberts’ roommate and relative, John Abounader, was found in the home and taken into custody as well.

• Christian Roberts, 41 of Kenmore, is charged with misdemeanor counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance and possession of a hypodermic instrument along with a New York State vehicle and traffic law violation. Following the raid, Roberts was charged with a felony count of criminal possession of marijuana and a misdemeanor count of criminal possession of a controlled substance.
• Kari McKeever, 34 of Fredonia, is charged with a misdemeanor count of criminal possession of a controlled substance.
• John Abounader, 49 of Kenmore, is charged four separate felonies including criminal possession of a narcotic with intent to sell, criminal possession of a narcotic, criminal possession of marijuana, and criminal possession of a weapon – Abounader has a felony drug conviction from Utah. Also, Abounader is charged with three misdemeanor counts of criminal use of drug paraphernalia, and a misdemeanor charge of unlawfully growing cannabis.

The defendants are held at the Erie County Holding Center pending their arraignment in Village of Kenmore court.

The Sheriff’s Office believes the individuals were using the proceeds from the marijuana grow operation to fund the narcotic drug activities.

K9 DEPUTY APOLLO TO RECEIVE BODY ARMOR
Vested Interest in K9s Donates Armor

Buffalo, NY – Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard announces the K9 team of Deputies Galbraith and Apollo will both be wearing protective body armor thanks to the donation of a vest by the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s. Apollo will be fitted for bullet and stab protective armor which will be ready for use in a few weeks.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) charity located in East Taunton, MA whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. The non-profit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially lifesaving body armor for their four-legged K9 officers. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provided over 2,900 protective vests, in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at the cost of over 2.5 million dollars.

The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 20 months of age. New K9 graduates, as well as K9s with expired vests, are eligible to participate.

Sheriff Timothy Howard said, “Apollo is the latest work dog in our K9 Unit to receive body armor from Vested Interest in K9s, and the compassion and dedication this organization has for law enforcement K9s is tremendous. I appreciated their work and having them as partners protecting my Deputies.”

Apollo is New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services certified in narcotics detection, tracking, as well as police services and handler protection.
The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $950.00. Each vest has a value between $1,744 – $2,283 and a five-year warranty, and an average weight of 4-5 lbs. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States. For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts tax-deductible donations of any denomination at www.vik9s.org or mailed to P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718.