Sweden Twp. Police Arrest Car Thief

SWEDEN VALLEY – A Batavia, NY, man was arrested and charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and several other offenses after Sweden Township police, acting on a tip from ONSTAR, found the man to be in possession of a stolen vehicle at the former Grub-N-Stuff in Sweden Valley.

Police say 18-year-old Devante Lamar McDermott was arrested after Chief Bryan Phelps witnessed him attempting to start the vehicle at the Sweden Valley Mini Mart. The car had previously been reported stolen and police were notified of the vehicle’s location using ONSTAR.

At the time, Chief Phelps reports he initially took up a position of surveillance and called for backup, but approached McDermott and ordered him from the vehicle once he attempted to start it. McDermott was taken into custody and the vehicle was confirmed stolen through NCIC – Genesee Co. Sheriff’s Office.

Police say McDermott was suspected to be under the influence of a synthetic controlled substance at the time of his arrest.

In addition to unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, McDermott was charged with receiving stolen property, DUI – drug related, possession of a small amount of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, drivers required to be licensed, and underage possession of alcohol.

McDermott was arraigned by on-call Judge Stubbs and remanded to the Potter County Jail in lieu of $15,000 bail.

A Preliminary Hearing has been scheduled for July 25 at 10:00 am.

State Police and Coudersport Borough police assisted at the scene.