Nine arrested in Olean drug bust

(L-R, Captain Robert Blovsky, Mayor Linda Witte, Police Chief Terry Schnell)


Early Thursday, the Olean Police Department Street Crimes Unit executed three separate search warrants simultaneously. The warrants were served at two apartments located at 1208 Reed Street and at 318 South Second Street. Police say a large quantity of Marihuana, crack cocaine, well over $1,000 in cash and a gun was seized at the Second Street location. Chief Schnell also said several thousand dollars in cash and a gun were seized at the apartment of James Hamilton at 1208 Reed Street and cocaine and drug paraphernalia was seized st the apartment of Norm Pearsall of Reed Street. 

(Above: evidence seized). Arrested were:

1. Norm Pearsall, 43, Reed Street, Olean-Criminal Possession of a controlled substance 7th. Released on appearance ticket.
2. Jack L. Carpenter, Jr.,, 47, Reed Street, Olean- Criminal Possession of a controlled substance 7th. Released on appearance ticket.
3. Miranda K. Pletl, 25, Ocala, FL- Criminal Possession of a controlled substance 7th. Jailed on $5,000 bail.
4. Jon P. Hanigan, 22, Allegany-  Criminal Possession of a controlled substance 7th. Released on appearance ticket.
5. Nicole A. Blanchard, 35, South Second Street, Olean- Criminal Possession of a controled substance 3rd, Criminal Possession of Marihuana 3rd. Jailed on $5,000 bail.
6. Rodney D. Doran, 22, South Second Street, Olean- Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd, Criminal Possession of Marihuana, Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4th. Jailed on $10,000 bail.
7. James V. Hamilton, 44, Reed Street, Olean-Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd. Jailed on $10,000 bail.
8. Randy A. Taylor, 26, Great Valley- Criminal Possession of a controlled substance 7th. Released on appearance ticket.
9. Jeremiah A. Williard, Orleans Avenue, Olean- Criminal Possession of a controlled substance 7th. Released on appearance ticket.

Captain Robert Blovsky, Olean Police, said they seized $16,000 in cash and drugs with a street value of $8,000. He said it was the most cash ever seized in an Olean drug raid. Police Chief Terry Schnell said taxpayers should be upset, because the apartments were section 8 housing, paid for by Cattaraugus County. Mayor Linda Witte said the demand for drugs in Olean remains high. She also praised her police department for executing the raid without injury, despite the fact that the apartments had weapons. Assisting the Olean Police Department- Olean PD Emergency Response team, Sheriff's Department Special Response team and a state police K-9 unit.
Both Blovsky and Schnell they made a dent today in drug trafficking in Olean and they hurt the alleged dealers most by taking their  money. No further arrests are expected.