What started out as the hunt for the perfect Christmas tree nearly landed the sister of a Carmen Road
man in jail.

According to the Niagara County Sheriff's Office, the Barker man called NCSO Sunday afternoon because he was concerned there were two cars in his driveway that didn't belong to him. The man told dispatch that he hadn't seen the cars himself, rather a neighbor had called him and told him about the vehicles.

When sheriff's deputies arrived on scene, they found the two cars in the driveway unoccupied.

"Behind the residence to the east is a large open field," the report states. "Five persons were observed in the field, walking toward the residence. Patrol believed the persons to possibly be trespassing hunters. However, due to distance, patrol could not determine whether or not the parties were armed."

As they approached, the five parties were advised by deputies to keep their hands out of their pockets. One of the five identified herself to patrol as the sister of the property owner. She said she was trying to find a Christmas tree in the back field with friends. She also said she had left a note on her brother's door saying she was doing such.

Deputy Keith Hetrick asked if they had found a good tree, but the woman said they had given up and were leaving when NCSO had arrived.

As Hetrick was talking with the woman, the property owner arrived and confirmed that the woman was, in fact, his sister. Patrol cleared without incident and no charges were filed.