Plywood boards cover up the damaged storefront on Lincoln Square Wine & Spirits after police say a man intentionally drove into the store Wednesday night to steal. (HEATHER N. GRIMMER / ENP PHOTOGRAPHER)

ENP STAFF REPORTS
news@eastniagarapost.com

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A 26-year-old Tonawanda man stands accused of burglary, criminal mischief and numerous other charges after Lockport police say he crashed a stolen car into Lincoln Square Wine & Spirits Wednesday night to steal.

Gary A. Carpenter, 152 Burns Ave., Tonawanda, was arrested on Market Street after a chase through the city by LPD.

According to the police report, at approximately 11:20 p.m., Carpenter used the car as a battering ram to gain access to the liquor store before stealing a case of liquor and some loose change. He then fled the area, but not before witnesses gave police the vehicle's license plate number.

Patrol located the vehicle on Elmwood Avenue headed away from the scene but was unable to perform a traffic stop due to the inclement weather. With police in pursuit, Carpenter ditched some items from his moving car, according to the report. Additional units were called and Carpenter was boxed in in the area of Exchange and Market streets.

When police caught up with Carpenter, he refused to exit his vehicle and police were forced to use a Taser on him, the report says. He was then taken into custody without further incident.

Police found him to have an active warrant out of Amherst. They also determined that the car he was driving had been stolen. The stolen liquor store property was valued at approximately $500, while the damage to the liquor store was estimated at $5,000.

Carpenter was held without bail and is scheduled to be in City Court on Monday.

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