THE CRIME NF: March 4th, 2020, Edition of the Niagara Reporter Newspaper
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-Niagara Falls Police responded to the 200 block of Hyde Park Blvd. in the afternoon hours of Wednesday, February 19th, 2020, after reports of shots fired. Upon arriving at the scene, police learned that it was not a firearm going off but rather an individual shooting a BB gun into the creek.
-Niagara Falls Police and Fire responded to the Niagara Falls Coach Lines parking Lot off of Buffalo Avenue in the early morning hours of Wednesday, February 19th, 2020, after reports of a bus fire. According to reports, a bus was fully engulfed. Firefighters believe that the fire started due to mechanical reasons when the engine was warming up. No injuries were reported and authorities do not suspect foul play.
-On Thursday February 20th at approximately 2:00 a.m., NFPD respoded to Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center to investigate an assault. Responding officers found that the 29 year old victim had been stabbed in the neck at another location.
It was learned that the victim was sitting in the front passenger seat of a vehicle being driven by a friend. The offender was seated behind the victim. While parked on Old Main St, the victim and offender began to argue and it quickly escalated and the offender stabbed to victim in the neck area. He then exited the vehicle and walked away. The driver of the vehicle, seeing a large amount of blood appear, drove the victim to the ER. Officers located the area where the crime occurred and secured a knife found on the side of the road which is believed to be the one used in the assault. Other officers responded to 626 15th St which is the address of the suspect. He was found, detained and brought to police headquarters, interviewed by detectives where he ultimately confessed to the assault. The victim lost a large amount of blood and has been at ECMC in critical condition since the assault. The suspect is Spencer Groom, 55 years old of Niagara Falls. charged with Assault in the first degree. He was arraigned Friday morning and his bail was set at $50,000. Many people have commented on the charge, believing it should have been Attempted Murder. To clarify, both Attempted Murder and Assault in the First Degree are B level felonies. However charging Attempted Murder forces investigators and prosectors to prove that the defendant intended to cause the victim’s death. With Assault 1st the proof is only that the defendant caused a serious injury using, in this case, a knife. If the victim were not to survive, the charge can be upgraded.
-Niagara Falls Police responded in the early morning hours of Saturday, Febraury 22nd, 2020, after reports of a stolen vehicle. According to police, the caller stated the vehicle was taken from outside the home it was parked at.
-Niagara Falls Police responded to the NFTA bus Station on Portage Road in the morning hours of Saturday, February 22nd, 2020, for reports of a male trying to take another person’s phone, harassing bus drivers and urinating on the floor.
-Niagara Falls Police responded to a criminal mischief complaint in the evening hours of Sunday, February 23rd, 2020, after a complainant states that someone broke into his room because they thought he was Chris Tucker.
-Niagara Falls Police responded to the 9800 block of Niagara Falls Boulevard in the evening hours of Sunday, February 23rd, 2020, during the course of which a gun was drawn and backup was requested. Police stated that at least one individual was arrested as a result of the incident. No injuries were reported.
-Niagara Falls Police responded to the 7-Eleven on Niagara Falls Boulevard in the early morning hours of Monday, Feburary 24th, 2020, after reports of an armed robbery. The suspect, according to police, was not captured.
-Niagara Falls Police and Fire responded to the 900 block of Niagara Avenue in the late evening hours of Wednesday, February 26th, 2020, after reports of a robbery and assault. The victim was taken for medical treatment and police are continuing to investigate the incident.
-Niagara Falls Police responded to a vehicle that was allegedly stolen by knife-point from the Coastal Gas Station in the afternoon hours of Monday, March 2nd, 2020. According to reports, the victim stated that her 2008 Chevy Malibu was taken by a Hispanic male who displayed a razorblade/box cutter style knife. The suspects were later found by New York State Police and bothh taken into custody.
