(Englerth) (Severino)
Press release
On November 20, 2018, at approximately 1:50 PM, during routine patrol, a LeRoy Police Officer observed a White Ford Pickup truck parked in the fire lane/no parking zone in front of the Tops Market, located at 128 West Main Street in the Village of LeRoy. The pickup truck was occupied by only a front passenger who was later identified as Todd M. Englerth of Stafford, NY.
The Officer spoke with Englerth who advised that his friend Phillip J. Severino of Corfu, NY was the driver of the pickup truck and that Severino was inside of Tops and that he should be back shortly.
While waiting for Severino to exit the store, the Officer allegedly observed a pair of metal knuckles located inside the pickup truck on the armrest in plain view.
The Officer conducted an interview with both Englerth and Severino to determine who possessed the metal knuckles within the pickup truck.
During the interview a loaded handgun was recovered from Severino’s person. Severino was detained and placed in the rear of the Officer’s patrol car.
The Officer then attempted to detain Englerth; however, Englerth allegedly refused to comply with the verbal commands of the Officer and physically resisted.
The Officer then advised Englerth that he was under arrest and Englerth continued to physically resist. A struggle ensued and multiple citizens attempted to assist the Officer with taking Englerth into custody. Englerth was able to break free and began to flee the scene on foot and a taser was deployed during the chase striking Englerth with negative effects.
The Officer continued to chase Englerth on foot into a wooded area behind Tops. Another physical struggle ensued in an attempt to place Englerth under arrest and yet another taser cartridge was deployed this time with effect and the Officer was able to gain control of Englerth and he was taken into custody. During the search incident to arrest an alleged quantity of cocaine was located on Englerth’s person.
A Police K9 was requested to the scene to assist with evidence collection and NYS DEC Police K9 responded.
Todd M. Englerth, age 46, of Stafford, NY, is charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd (Felony); Criminal Possession of a Control Substance 7th (Misdemeanor); Obstructing Governmental Administration 2nd (Misdemeanor); Assault 3rd (Misdemeanor) and Resisting Arrest (Misdemeanor).
Philip J. Severino, age 42, of Corfu, NY, is charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd (Felony).
Both Severino and Englerth were arraigned before the Hon. Daryl Sehm of the LeRoy Town Court and released under the supervision of the Genesee Justice Program.
The LeRoy Police were assisted at the scene by members of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police and the New York State DEC Police.
The LeRoy Police Department would also like to issue a special thank you to the citizens that assisted the Officer at the scene.
{NOTE: The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. All police blotter items are posted after they are received from the law enforcement agency that released it. If you believe that any information is missing or incorrect, please contact the law enforcement agency that released the information.}