EDEN, N.Y. — For months now, we've been reporting on a series of incidents along Hillbrook Drive in the Town of Eden that started a year ago.
Eden Police say the incidents have involved things being thrown into people's homes, and on March 28, they said a fake pipe bomb was tossed through the window of the town supervisor's home.
On Wednesday, police announced the arrest of a Buffalo man, Adam Jones, 40 on charges of criminal mischief and placing that false bomb.
They believe he's the person behind three of the seven incidents on that street, but say there are likely others involved and more arrests may be coming.
At the time of the fake pipe bomb incident, police said that political messages were written on the device referencing Town Supervisor Melissa Hartman's run for Erie County Clerk. We asked Eden Police Chief Greg Savage if they have any indication of the motive now that there's been an arrest.
"He indicated to us that he was paid to do this," Savage said.
"We are trying to establish some connections between the people he claims were paying him and some other people that may have been involved."
Chief Savage said tips from the public came in after the department released a surveillance image of a suspect involved in the most recent incident on August 15. They now believe Jones is the man in that photo and one taken on March 6th at another home on Hillbrook Drive.
"We believe [all seven cases] were connected but at this point, I am not prepared to release any information as to who they were connected to," Chief Savage said.
In response to the arrest, the Eden Supervisor released the following statement:
"I want to thank Chief Savage, the Eden Police Department, District Attorney John Flynn, and all those who have worked so diligently to investigate these incidents, which affected my family and many of my neighbors."
"This is an ongoing police matter, and my administration will continue to work closely and in complete cooperation with all of law enforcement to ensure the safety of every home, business and resident of Eden."
"Violence has no place in our community, and that message must be sent loud and clear as this investigation moves forward."
The case has been transferred out of Eden Town Court after Judge Melissa Zittel recused herself because of the involvement of the town supervisor in the incident.
Jones was released as he awaits his next court date.
His arrest came a day after a different man, Luigi Palmieri, 48, of Eden was also arraigned on charges related to menacing Ms. Hartman and violating an order of protection. Ms. Hartman was not identified by the Erie County District Attorney's Office which announced the charges Tuesday.
Ms. Hartman however confirmed with 2 On Your Side that she was the woman involved.
Palmieri is scheduled to be back in Hamburg Town Court on December 6 at 9:00 a.m. The Erie County District Attorney's Office did confirm that a no-contact order of protection remains in place on behalf of Ms. Hartman and her family.