Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the Penfield Road Wegmans in the Town of Penfield at 8:14 in the morning on October 10, 2023, for a larceny in progress. Wegmans security saw the suspect leave the store without paying for merchandise, get into a blue Nissan Rogue and leave the area. Deputies found the suspect car, attempted to stop it and the driver refused to comply.

A short time later, deputies located the vehicle abandoned on Route 441 near Fellows Road in the Town of Penfield and determined it was stolen. Deputies set up a perimeter and immediately located the female passenger, who was cooperative. The male suspect, who stole from Wegmans, was located on the edge of a swampy area and taken into custody. An MCSO K9 then led deputies to the area where another male suspect, the driver of the vehicle, ran into the swamp in an attempt to evade arrest. MCSO’s Drone Response Team (DRT) quickly located the suspect hiding in thick weeds and knee-deep water. DRT coordinated with K9 units and deputies on the ground to take the suspect into custody safely.

Deputies charged Javier O. Davila, 35, of Rochester with:

  • Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree (Class D-Felony)
  • Petit Larceny (Class A-Misdemeanor)

Deputies charged John Ransom, 53, of Gates with:

  • Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree (Class D-Felony)
  • 18 traffic citations

Javier Davila was issued appearance tickets for the above charges and turned over to the Greece and East Rochester Police Departments to answer outstanding warrants. John Ransom was issued appearance tickets and released.

Excellent teamwork and coordination by all involved. The use of drones to quickly locate the suspect, share his location and ensure a safe arrest in thick brush and swampy conditions is invaluable.

Deputy Brendan Hurley
Public Information Officer
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office
MCSOCommunications@monroecounty.gov
(585) 753-4840