Gabriel A. Babbitt, 21 of Wellsville has been charged with second-degree attempted murder, felony first-degree burglary, felony second-degree assault and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
BY JOHN ANDERSON
Wellsville Village Police took a complaint and made a quick arrest for attempted murder on Tuesday.
On August 21 during an alleged incident on Clark Street, a person called 911.
Police in Wellsville took the complaint and statements and issued a warrant. The person they were looking for turned herself in without incident.
Police charged Gabriel A. Babbitt, 21 of Wellsville, with second-degree attempted murder, felony first-degree burglary, felony second-degree assault and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
During the investigation, Police leveled additional charges for an incident on Scott Ave. on August 2.
Police charged Babbitt with felony first-degree burglary, felony second-degree attempted robbery, felony fourth-degree conspiracy and third-degree assault.
Babbitt was arraigned before Wellsville Village Justice Brad Thompson and sent to the Allegany County Jail on $15,000 bail. There was also a bail set for a $30,000 property bond or $60,000 partially secured bond. Babbitt will be in court Sept. 20 to answer charges. Being a felony, a not guilty plea has to be entered to send the case to Allegany County Court.
The quick investigation and arrest comes on the heels of the police department being singled out by Wellsville Mayor Randy Shayler at the last village board meeting. Shayler mentioned how officers impressed visitors and a business from out of town with friendly, community policing.
It’s common to see officers walking the streets, talking to people, checking doors on Main Street at night and getting to know residents.
“It’s always nice to get accolades,” said Wellsville Police Chief Tim O’Grady. “With all the negatives (on regional and national media and television) that has gone around as far as police go, it’s nice to let the board know the community appreciates the police department, rather than the negative you see on the news.”
When correspondances come in regarding the police department, O’Grady has shared them with the mayor and the village trustees.
“The mayor has brought it to the public eye,” O’Grady said of the recent positive news his department has received.
