By JOHN ANDERSON
An incident with a weapon in Elm Valley between Andover and Wellsville that launched a search for 17 hours has ended with the arrest of an Andover man.
The Sun has learned after the incident on Tuesday night where residents were asked in a shelter-in-place, a family member allegedly hid the suspect while police were looking for him. On Wednesday afternoon, he was taken by a family member to St. James Hospital, UR Medicine.
When the suspect arrived, troopers were called out of the State Police Amity barracks and he was arrested.
Troopers charged Thomas G. Moore II, 34, of Andover, with two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, three counts of first-degree criminal contempt, three counts of first-degree reckless endangerment, three counts of second-degree menacing, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child and aggravated cruelty to animals, an agriculture and market law charge.
Troopers said on Tuesday at 8:15 p.m., they responded to a 911 call for a domestic incident and possible mental health at Ray Hill Road in the town of Andover. Troopers said their investigation determined that Moore allegedly threatened multiple victims with a weapon and left before police arrived.
The Sun was on the scene and through our website and social media including Facebook and Twitter, the publication was able to keep residents and school officials updated on the situation for 17 hours, from the search to the arrest.
On Wednesday, Troopers attempted to locate Moore using Unmanned Aircraft Systems and were assisted by NYSP Special Operations Response Team, Andover Police Department, Wellsville Police Department, Alfred Police Department and the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office.
The Allegany County Sheriff’s Office performed a backward 911 warning residence in the area of Moore and to contact authorities if he is located or seen. The search continued until Moore was located at St. James Hospital in Hornell.
Moore was taken for processing to the station in Amity by troopers. He was arraigned at the town of Friendship Court and sent to the Allegany County Jail on $100,000 cash bail or $200,000 bond.
NYSP Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Special Operations Response Team, Andover Police Department, Wellsville Police Department, Alfred Police Department, Allegany County Sheriff’s Office and the Allegany County District Attorney’s Office assisted in this investigation.
