Pages

Friday, October 19, 2018

Violent crime wave in Steuben County ends with five arrests

The New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation from the Bath and Painted Post barracks announce multiple arrests related to the two-month ongoing investigation of a reported home invasion and assault that occurred on August 15th in the village of Savona. After receiving numerous tips from the public, Investigators were able to identify and interview several suspects. Subsequent to their interviews, the suspects were able to be linked to an extensive string of burglaries spanning the past several months across two states. These additional burglaries include unreported instances in the village of Savona, the Lindley Community Church, and the Presho Methodist Church. The suspects were also able to be linked to at least five burglaries in the State of Pennsylvania. A search of a suspect’s residence in the Town of Campbell and roadside searches in the area of I-99 located a large quantity of drug paraphernalia, as well as various weapons, novelty items, electronics, and other proceeds from the crimes. Four of the suspects were arrested and charged with various counts of Burglary in the 1st Degree (a class “B” felony), Burglary in the 2nd Degree (a class “C” felony), Burglary in the 3rd Degree (a class “D” felony), Criminal Mischief in the 3rd Degree (a class “E” felony), Assault in the 2nd Degree (a class “D” felony), Unlawful Imprisonment in the 1st Degree (a class “E” felony), and Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4th Degree (a class “A” misdemeanor) with any additional charges pending the indictment of the suspects by the Steuben County District Attorney’s Office. 
Four of the suspects in the various cases are identified as:
- 19-year-old Dakota E. Tosch of Campbell, New York, charged with Burglary 1st Degree, Burglary 2nd Degree, two counts Burglary 3rd Degree, and Criminal Mischief 3rd Degree.  He remains incarcerated in the Steuben County Jail on $10,000 bail / $20,000 bond per charge.

- 20-year-old Dakota J. Kidder of Campbell, New York, charged with Burglary 1st Degree, Burglary 2nd Degree, two counts of Burglary 3rd Degree, and Criminal Mischief 3rd Degree.  He remains incarcerated in the Steuben County Jail on $10,000 bail / $20,000 bond per charge.

- 17-year-old Elisha I. Blake of Campbell, New York, charged with Burglary 2nd Degree.  He was released to the custody of his legal guardian with further action pending.    
- A juvenile of Painted Post, New York, was charged with Burglary 1st Degree.  The juvenile was released to the custody of a parent with further court action pending.

- A fifth suspect was identified as 19-year-old Chance C. LaViolette of Elkland, Pennsylvania, who fled the state shortly after the incident.  He was located in the city of Lebanon, Oregon, and taken into custody by the Lebanon Police Department on outstanding arrest warrants lodged in three different states.  LaViolette is currently being held in the State of Oregon and is awaiting extradition to New York State where he will face charges of Burglary 1st Degree, Assault 2nd Degree, Unlawful Imprisonment 1st Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4th Degree. 
Spanning the months of June, July, and August, 2018, Investigators allege that the five suspects were each involved with one another in committing different burglaries and larcenies across two states to varying degrees.  Specifically, during the early morning hours of August 15th, 2018, it is alleged that four of the suspects (Dakota Tosch, Dakota Kidder, Chance LaViolette, and the juvenile) forced entry into a home on Orchard Street in the village of Savona with the intent to steal money and property.  It is also alleged that, while masked or covering their faces to conceal their identities, the suspects assaulted and restrained the homeowner and injured him repeatedly with a screwdriver in their possession.  During the melee, a female companion sleeping in an adjacent room was alerted by the sounds of the struggle.  It is believed that the female confronted the suspects utilizing a hammer she was able to obtain to defend herself.  The confrontation caused the suspects to flee without having taken any money or property. 
In addition to burglarizing area small businesses, the suspects are believed to have targeted other individuals they knew to possess either a quantity of marijuana, narcotics, or a significant amount of money in an effort to avoid having the incidents reported to law enforcement.  The investigation is ongoing, and the New York State Police would like to thank the community for their continued support.  
Investigator Brian W. Mayhew
New York State Police – Bath