A pair of thugs have been arrested for allegedly beating a New York cop to death with chains after they were thrown out of a casino.
Michael J. Elmore, 33, and Lyndsey Jean Wilcox, 39, refused to leave Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel just after midnight on Sunday after being told to get out.
Wilcox stayed in the casino 'unlawfully' with the intent to 'commit a crime' at the venue, while her boyfriend left and then came back to launch his attack.
Sergeant Thomas A. Sanfratello, 54, had been assigned to watch over the venue that night and was called to the Rush 34 bar to respond to a reported disturbance.
The officer confronted the drunken Batavia couple and tried to escort Elmore out, which is when Wilcox became violent with Sanfratello - hitting him several times.
Michael J. Elmore, 33, and Lyndsey Jean Wilcox, 39, refused to leave Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel just after midnight on Sunday after being told to get out
Sergeant Thomas A. Sanfratello, 54, who was a decorated officer of 32 years, died shortly after being attacked by the couple
Witnesses claimed that Elmore then left and then returned to the casino with metal chains to threaten the sergeant.
He allegedly 'passed (the chains) between both hands while swinging them around and making threats' before swinging the chains at the police officer's head and face.
The thug put the sergeant in a chokehold and beat him with his fists, according to local newspaper The Batavian.
Sanfratello became unresponsive during the altercation and attempts to revive him by performing CPR were unsuccessful, according to the Batavia Police Department.
Despite trying to deploy his taser, Sanfratello sustained serious injuries during the struggle and died in the early hours of Sunday.
Police said the cause of Sanfratello's death had not been determined.
Sanfratello was a decorated sergeant who had won multiple awards, including the President's Award, during his 32 years on the job.
The father-of-three was described as a Yankees fan and a car enthusiast. He had 'an overwhelming collection' of Legos and Hot Wheels and attended model car conventions and Motorama racing events across the U.S.
He was also a certified paramedic and an active member of the Alexander Fire Department from 1986 to 2003.
'Words cannot describe the loss our Office feels with the passing of Sergeant Sanfratello,' the sheriff's office said in Facebook post. 'May he rest in peace.'
Elmore has since been charged with two Class B felonies - aggravated manslaughter and aggravated assault upon a police officer. He was also charged with burglary in the second degree.
The officer had confronted the drunken Batavia couple and tried to escort Elmore out of the Batavia Downs casino, which is when Wilcox became violent with Sanfratello - hitting him several times
Wilcox has been charged with burglary in the second degree and attempted assault.
Arrest records indicate that the couple were likely impaired by alcohol at the time of the incident.
Both were held at Genesee County Jail and were arraigned by Judge Mileham in Centralized Arraignment Part (CAP) Court, according to an arrest record.
Elmore was held on $100,000 cash bail, $200,000 bond or $500,000 partially secured bond.
Wilcox was held on $50,000 cash bail, $slot bet 100,000 security bond or $200,000 partially secured bond. Both are to appear on March 12 in the Town of Batavia Court.
Elmore's attorney, Joseph Lobosco, said in an email that he just began representing his client and had no comment at this time. Wilcox's attorney could not be reached.
The pair are scheduled to appear in court today.
Crime
Read more:
Court documents say Elmore used (necklace) to beat officer, placed him in a chokehold | The Batavian
Arrests Made Following Line of Duty Death Involving Genesee County Sheriff's Office Sergeant | Batavia Police Department
Thug beats veteran NY cop to death with chain necklace
por Caroline Perrin (16/03/2024)
A pair of thugs have been arrested for allegedly beating a New York cop to death with chains after they were thrown out of a casino.Michael J. Elmore, 33, and Lyndsey Jean Wilcox, 39, refused to leave Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel just after midnight on Sunday after being told to get out.
Wilcox stayed in the casino 'unlawfully' with the intent to 'commit a crime' at the venue, while her boyfriend left and then came back to launch his attack.
Sergeant Thomas A. Sanfratello, 54, had been assigned to watch over the venue that night and was called to the Rush 34 bar to respond to a reported disturbance.
The officer confronted the drunken Batavia couple and tried to escort Elmore out, which is when Wilcox became violent with Sanfratello - hitting him several times.
Michael J. Elmore, 33, and Lyndsey Jean Wilcox, 39, refused to leave Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel just after midnight on Sunday after being told to get out
Sergeant Thomas A. Sanfratello, 54, who was a decorated officer of 32 years, died shortly after being attacked by the couple
Witnesses claimed that Elmore then left and then returned to the casino with metal chains to threaten the sergeant.
He allegedly 'passed (the chains) between both hands while swinging them around and making threats' before swinging the chains at the police officer's head and face.
The thug put the sergeant in a chokehold and beat him with his fists, according to local newspaper The Batavian.
Sanfratello became unresponsive during the altercation and attempts to revive him by performing CPR were unsuccessful, according to the Batavia Police Department.
Despite trying to deploy his taser, Sanfratello sustained serious injuries during the struggle and died in the early hours of Sunday.
Police said the cause of Sanfratello's death had not been determined.
Sanfratello was a decorated sergeant who had won multiple awards, including the President's Award, during his 32 years on the job.
The father-of-three was described as a Yankees fan and a car enthusiast. He had 'an overwhelming collection' of Legos and Hot Wheels and attended model car conventions and Motorama racing events across the U.S.
He was also a certified paramedic and an active member of the Alexander Fire Department from 1986 to 2003.
'Words cannot describe the loss our Office feels with the passing of Sergeant Sanfratello,' the sheriff's office said in Facebook post. 'May he rest in peace.'
Elmore has since been charged with two Class B felonies - aggravated manslaughter and aggravated assault upon a police officer. He was also charged with burglary in the second degree.
The officer had confronted the drunken Batavia couple and tried to escort Elmore out of the Batavia Downs casino, which is when Wilcox became violent with Sanfratello - hitting him several times
Wilcox has been charged with burglary in the second degree and attempted assault.
Arrest records indicate that the couple were likely impaired by alcohol at the time of the incident.
Both were held at Genesee County Jail and were arraigned by Judge Mileham in Centralized Arraignment Part (CAP) Court, according to an arrest record.
Elmore was held on $100,000 cash bail, $200,000 bond or $500,000 partially secured bond.
Wilcox was held on $50,000 cash bail, $slot bet 100,000 security bond or $200,000 partially secured bond. Both are to appear on March 12 in the Town of Batavia Court.
Elmore's attorney, Joseph Lobosco, said in an email that he just began representing his client and had no comment at this time. Wilcox's attorney could not be reached.
The pair are scheduled to appear in court today.
Crime
Read more:
Court documents say Elmore used (necklace) to beat officer, placed him in a chokehold | The Batavian
Arrests Made Following Line of Duty Death Involving Genesee County Sheriff's Office Sergeant | Batavia Police Department