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| File: Police Chief Tim O'Grady |
Wednesday afternoon, five people were taken into custody after police raided the Rauber Street home. Some of the most serious crimes in the penal code were filed. The people who lived in the home were charged with second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance - an A felony, and unlawful manufacture of Meth. Two other Wellsville residents now face lesser drug counts. Nobody was sent to jail. The occupants of the house were arraigned via Skype and sent home without bail while the others were issued court appearance tickets. The original story can be found HERE.
"We have received numerous complaints about this residence dealing illegal narcotics and it's unfortunate that the bail reform allows for these folks to be placed right back in that neighborhood...it's unfortunate for the people that have to live around that residence," said Wellsville Police Chief Timothy O'Grady in an interview with Wellsville Regional News. The Wellsville Police Department has been tracking that house for "several months." Some in the community wondered why it took so long to 'do something' when 'everybody knew." According to O'Grady, "it takes time to build a case. I think a lot of people think if they suspect there is drug activity in a house...that allows us to go kick in the door and arrest everybody in there...but that's not the case." The seasoned law enforcement professional said "it just takes time...the wheels of justice turn slowly."
Thursday afternoon, members of the criminal justice system were outfitting some of the defendants with electronic trackers...a move...that most certainly...will make the neighborhood feel safe again.
