Employees help deputies nab burglars

ELMA, N.Y. (WIVB) - Two Buffalo men are facing charges for allegedly trying to break into Bippert's Farm in Elma on Tuesday.

Deputies say store employees called the Erie County Sheriff's Office shortly after 5 p.m. when they noticed the suspects in areas of the farm's store where customers are not allowed. The employees got a description of the suspects' vehicle and the license plate number as the suspects left.

Deputies found the suspects in their car a short time later in the parking lot of a Transit Road store and say they believe 55-year-old John Kelley and 27-year-old Thomas Schleer may be responsible for several other area burglaries. Inside their car, deputies say they found a pry bar, two razor knives and a painting tool.

Kelley and Schleer are both charged with third degree burglary, illegal entry with intent to commit a crime, possession of burglary tools and attempted petit larceny. Kelley was additionally charged with false impersonation because deputies say he tried to claim he was his brother.

Deputies are continuing to investigate. Anyone with information on the suspects and their possible involvement in other crimes is asked to call the Erie County Sheriff's Office at 667-5224.