Man uses beer to hail police

(Editor's note: The Bee's police blotter is a sampling of unusual, sometimes humorous calls received by the police department. It is not intended to be a complete record of all incidents reported.)

Friday, March 2

+ Police were called to a Niagara Falls Boulevard business where two young employees had been locked inside. The manager was going to return to assist them.

+ On Berkley Road, a resident complained about a neighbor who was pushing snow into the street, causing a traffic hazard.

+ Larceny was reported on Niagara Falls Boulevard regarding an employee who hid two bags of sandwiches behind a Dumpster. The complainant said the employee was still on the premises and didn't know the police were called. The suspect was taken to headquarters.

+ A Brompton Road resident called police to complain about a squirrel in the fireplace. The animal was removed.

Saturday, March 3

+ A man living on Callodine Avenue was told he couldn't live in the house anymore and was locked out after a physical altercation with his roommates. Police were called when he started throwing things at the house.

+ A woman was seen putting items into her pockets and purse at a Maple Road store. The store decided not to press charges, but the woman reportedly had $15,000-$25,000 cash on her.

+ A patrol was flagged down on Sweet Home Road by a man waving a beer. He was waiting for a ride.

+ A patron at a Main Street bar complained that the bartender threw a drink in his face. He left in a cab.

Sunday, March 4

+ At a Niagara Falls Boulevard store, a woman reportedly walked out with a cart of merchandise and was spotted by other customers but none of the employees. Police were able to identify the suspect's car.

+ Police responded to a Sheridan Drive store where a woman was suspected of taking several cans of deodorant.

+ At a Maple Road store, three males reportedly took bottles of beer from six-pack boxes, put the bottles up their sleeves, and then turned the boxes so they appeared to be full. The men then left in a car. One was wearing a sports jacket for a Kenmore school.

Monday, March 5

+ A Robin Road resident reported a lottery scam in which someone claimed to be calling from Canada to inform the woman she had won the lottery but had to pay $1,000 to receive the winnings.

+ A Main Street veterinarian reported that a dog had been treated over the weekend, and the owner had promised to return and pay the $164 bill but never did.

+ Someone called to complain that a patrol had missed the illegally parked cars on one side of Campus Drive, and the complainant was especially concerned about one car because it had been driving erratically before being parked.

Tuesday, March 6

+ Customer trouble was reported at a Main Street store involving a man who was giving the clerk a hard time because the clerk couldn't answer his questions. The man finally left, and said he would get his Lotto tickets elsewhere.

+ A landlord-tenant dispute was reported on Princeton Avenue involving a resident who stated that management entered her apartment without her knowing and left the oven on.

+ A Delta Avenue resident reported receiving a letter about buying his house, and he thought it was a scam. Police determined it was a legitimate investment letter from an agent.

+ On North Forest Road, someone called to report that an injured owl was sitting on a patio table. The bird flew away.

Wednesday, March 7

+ A motorist on Hopkins Road reported a man who was kicking his car door while a female stood outside with him. The man told police he was mad because his car wouldn't start.

+ On Sheridan Drive, a complainant called police about a woman in her 40s who had been standing outside for an least an hour and a half giving motorists the finger. She was gone when police arrived.

+ A man, between 25 and 30 years old, suspected of exposure at a Main Street store, ran out before police arrived.

+ Harassment was reported on Sheridan Drive when a man and a woman argued about a parking spot, and he pinned her against the car with his vehicle.

Thursday, March 8

+ A North Westfield Road resident reported that a car drove up the lawn and hit a tree. The car was still there, but no one was in the car.

+ On North Harvest Street, a woman reported that a live rat was in the bottom of her garbage can. The rat was reportedly disposed of in the garbage.

+ Unauthorized use of a vehicle was reported by a Transit Road car dealer. A salesperson reportedly started a car for a customer, went inside and when the employee came out, the customer was still there but the vehicle was gone. The dealership was checking to see if anyone had taken the car.