A Lockport man has been arrested and charged by Erie County Sheriff’s Office investigators in connection with a series of stalking incidents in the towns of Clarence and Orchard Park.
David Steinman, 21, was charged with two counts of third-degree criminal mischief, two counts of first-degree criminal contempt, one count of petit larceny, two counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief, one count of second-degree aggravated harassment, two counts of second-degree criminal contempt and one count of fourth-degree stalking.
He was arraigned on the charges in State Supreme Court in Erie County and pleaded not guilty. State Supreme Court Justice Kelly Vacco ordered Steinman held without bail at the Erie County Holding Center pending further court proceedings.
Erie County Sheriff John Garcia said Steinman’s arrest followed an investigation by deputies that focused on a series of incidents that occurred over a multi-week period in the towns of Clarence and Orchard Park.
Investigators said Steinman went to the victim’s home on County Road in Clarence on July 13 and took a welder’s hat and tools from the vehicle owned by the victim’s boyfriend. Six days later, investigators charge that Steinman returned to the victim’s home and damaged the tires on vehicles belonging to the victim and her sister.
On July 29, Steinman is accused of leaving a threatening note on the victim’s vehicle while she was at work in Orchard Park.
Erie County Family Court Judge Jeffrey Harrington issued an order of protection for the victim on July 30, but sheriff’s investigators said Steinman then violated that order of protection on multiple occasions.
The investigators said on Aug. 26, Steinman again damaged tires on vehicles belonging to the victim and her boyfriend. Steinman was indicted on his charges by an Erie County grand jury on Oct. 14.
“This victim and her family endured weeks of distress as a result of this suspect’s actions,” Garcia said. “Our deputies and detectives painstakingly put this case together to bring them justice.”
Garcia also noted the efforts of Orchard Park police in the investigation.