Published: November 06, 2009 11:22 pm      

CITY OF TONAWANDA: Break-in suspect caught in act

A Niagara Falls man was caught just after midnight Friday by City of Tonawanda police as he attempted to steal several items from a car on Duffy Drive.

Officer David Kraft reported seeing the dome light on in a BMW parked in the driveway of a home at 153 Duffy Drive, in roughly the same area plagued by a rash of car thefts in recent weeks.

Kraft passed the house, then backed up to check things out.

“As I stopped to get out I observed a dark-skinned male stand up from in front of (another car) in the driveway,” Kraft’s report states.

The man, Rickey J. Vails, 45, 530 12th St., Apt 1, Niagara Falls, claimed to be lost and looking for a place to relieve himself.

But that didn’t explain what appeared to be a stolen suit curiously stashed under another car parked next to the open BMW, the door to which had been left slightly open.

A few moments later the homeowners came out and the owner of the BMW confirmed the same suit and several dress shirts were missing, as well as an I-pod and cell phone.

Vails’ 1993 gray Chevrolet Lumina, which was parked in front of the house next door, was impounded and Vails was arrested for trespassing and petit larceny. Officers also found marijuana on Vails, resulting in an additional possession charge.

What police found in his car, however, were six EX-Pass modules, three cellular phones, two GPS units, binoculars and a pocket radio, among other things.

“We’re hoping that people in the area will come forward if their cars have been broken into. As of right now, no one’s called,” City of Tonawanda Police Lt. Fred Foels said Friday.

As for the alleged victim’s phone and music player, the report continues:

“While Vails was exiting the vehicle at (the station), Officers radioed to see if Vails had an I-Pod or cell phone on him. Vails looked at me and said he didn’t. He told me to have them check the bushes. Officers checked the bushes and located the I-Pod and cell phone,” the report states.

Vails was credited in the report as being very cooperative throughout the ordeal.

He is now being held at the Erie County Holding Center in lieu of $5,000 bail.

Investigation is continuing into the origins of the other items found in his car, which could result in further charges.

The area is the same in which several cars had been robbed earlier this month, leading to the arrest of Derek Schlifke, whose escape during processing Oct. 14 made headlines in the region.

“We’re theorizing it may have been the first car he hit,” Foels said of the latest larceny. “... It’s the same area where we’re getting killed with car larcenies.”

Contact reporter Neale Gulley at 693-1000, ext. 114.