A chaotic, tense scene unfolded across three towns this morning as scores of police officers, dogs and helicopters frantically searched for three armed men who robbed a bank in Elba.

Two of the men were in custody within an hour after the 10 a.m. robbery. A third was sought northeast of Z & M Ag and Turf, the former Goodrich Farm Supply, at Lewiston and Townline roads in Oakfield. He was apprehended about 2:42 p.m. at Route 63 and Galloway Roads, police said.

Police were notified of the robbery when a person called emergency dispatchers from a cellular phone at M & T Bank in Elba and said “Oh my God we’re being robbed.”

Patrols from throughout the county raced to the bank, then gave chase as the suspect’s vehicle description was broadcast.

The vehicle, a black Chevrolet Trailblazer, was abandoned in a muddy field off Lewiston Road, near the farm supply business.

One of the suspects was captured within minutes.

Police converged on the area, and city of Batavia police, sheriff’s deputies and state troopers, guns drawn, surrounded a woodlot behind 8044 Lewiston Rd., where a second suspect ran.

A state police helicopter arrived and hovered over the woodlot as police moved in and out of the thick underbrush.

Dozens of officers, guns trained on the woodlot, hid behind trees, cars and houses.

Gawkers, driving along Lewiston Road, slowed their cars. The road was not closed, despite an incredible amount of traffic. At least one accident was witnessed as a woman drove her small pickup truck into the rear of another truck directly in front of 8044 Lewiston.

About 11 a.m. police escorted a man from the woods. He had shed all his clothes except his underwear and footwear, presumably, police said, to avoid detection by K-9 units.

He was whisked away in a state police patrol car.

With two in custody police concentrated on the vast area behind Z & M. Two helicopters searched the area, including one with an infrared device to detect body heat from the fields and woods below.

In Elba, investigators secured the bank and interviewed witnesses.

Elba, Batavia, Oakfield-Alabama schools were placed on lockdown as a precaution. The remainder of Genesee County schools also were placed on lockdown by the state police.

Most students had half-days and were kept in school unless their parents picked them up. Schools were notified shortly after 1 p.m. that students could be released.

Fisher Road in Oakfield was closed during the search but the New York State Thruway remained open. Two troopers parked on the Thruway east of Lewiston Road scanned the fields.

Several K-9 units from Troop A stations throughout Western New York were called to assist in the search for the third suspect.

Dozens of high-ranking officers from the Sheriff’s Department and state police stationed themselves at Z & M and a crew from Batavia Salvation Army was called to respond to the area to provide food and drinks.

Quoted:
They won't get far, it is very open land out there in Batavia, rural area, especially if they are illegals in a beat up jallopy truck running around with expired tags.

About 20 minutes from my house.

Quoted:
Your writing ability gives me a headache!