COURTS: Crego's bail is set at $1 million

By Britney Milazzo<br><a href="mailto:britney.milazzo@lockportjournal.com">E-mail Britney</a>

Bail was set at more than $1 million Tuesday for the Lockport fugitive who police found on Facebook after he fled to Terre Haute, Ind.

Judge William Watson said in City Court that he could not legally deny bail for Christopher K. Crego, 39, because the charges were misdemeanors.

He did, however, agree with Assistant District Attorney Joseph Scalzo that Crego’s “flight risk is very severe” and set bail at a high amount.

“He’s not going anywhere,” Scalzo said after court.

Crego was not represented by a lawyer, but will be back in City Court at 9 a.m. today for an attorney appearance.

Crego, formerly of 4617 Sunset Drive, said he didn’t know why law enforcement was making such a big deal of the situation.

“It was a misdemeanor charge. I thought I had nothing to worry about,” Crego said as he shook his head and laughed. “I’ll get five months at most!” His wrists and ankles were chained for his court appearance.

As for the response to his bail: “It is what it is. I’ll sit and do my couple months, and get the hell out of New York,”

Crego said his plans are to go back to Terre Haute, where he worked at Body Art Ink Tattoo Piercing Emporium, once he is released from Niagara County Jail.

Lockport Police Chief Larry Eggert said although criminals leave the state, they can still face the consequences.

“I guess it’s a good lesson learned,” Eggert said.

Capt. Richard Podgers, chief of detectives, agreed.

“He caused serious physical injury to the man for no major reason,” Podgers said. “The damage to the victim was so bad, it resulted in surgery.”

Crego was convicted on assault charges from Nov. 22, 2008, when he punched another man with a closed fist and then hit the victim with a beer bottle outside a West Avenue bar, sending the man to Eastern Niagara Hospital-Lockport.

Police said the suspect fled Lockport before his assault sentencing last fall.

He was additionally charged Aug. 8 with possession of marijuana and driving while intoxicated, according to police reports.

U.S. Marshals captured Crego earlier last month when they found the suspect’s whereabouts on his social network sites. He was remanded to the Vigo County Jail in Indiana, but was released a week later after posting a $25,000 bail bond.

“I wouldn’t have finding a fugitive any other way,” Podgers said. “He made it very, very easy.”

As he was escorted in and out of City Court by county corrections officers, Crego taunted Lockport police.

He called out: “I’m gonna marry Podgers’ niece.”

“I can care less,” Podgers said with a laugh.

Podgers said he had lost touch with his niece, Cassandra Podgers, about 20 years ago when she and her family left Western New York.

Cassandra now resides near Detroit. Crego and Cassandra have allegedly been in a serious relationship for the past couple years.

Contact reporter Britney Milazzo at 439-9222, ext. 6251.

Text Only