Staff Reports
A K-9 unit officer was injured when he fell through the floor of Steve’s Cycle Shop on Gooding Street while assisting on a burglary arrest about 2 a.m. Sunday.
Officer Steven Ritchie was treated at Eastern Niagara Hospital Lockport and released.
Steven M. Fowler, 24, 87 17th St., upper, Buffalo and Jeremy S. Hoover, 24, 140 Jackson St. Lockport were arrested at the scene and charged with second-degree burglary.
The patrol was dispatched to Steve’s Cycle Shop after an anonymous caller reported there may be several people breaking into the building.
Officers Heather Glenn and Marshall Belling responded. Glenn saw a man in a red-hooded sweatshirt exit the building and place several metal motorcycle parts next to a dumpster, according to the report.
When the suspect saw the patrol car, he quickly turned around and returned to the shop. Several more officers arrived and went into the dilapidated building after the suspect. Due to the size of the building, the suspect was not found.
A perimeter was set up around the building and the K-9 unit was called in. Officers entered the building and Fowler was found in the basement and taken into custody. Fowler said Hoover was still in the building, but said he didn’t know where. Hoover was found on the second floor.
While escorting Hoover out of the building, Ritchie fell through the floor and sustained an injury to his leg which required medical attention.
