ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Eight people were arrested following a months-long drug and trespassing investigation at a home on Ridgecrest Road, according to the Greece Police Department.
Investigators say the home was unlawfully taken over by 45-year-old Shariek Rutledge, who was initially invited into the property by a relative of the homeowner. Police say Rutledge later changed the locks, forced the homeowner out, and allowed several others to occupy the residence.
On August 5, the Greece Police Department’s SWAT team executed a search warrant at the home. During the search, officers recovered cocaine, fentanyl, and crack cocaine. One additional person was turned over to another law enforcement agency on an unrelated warrant.
Arrests and charges:
- Roosevelt C. Speed, 46, Rochester
– Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree (intent to sell)
– Criminal use of drug paraphernalia in the second degree
– Criminal trespass in the second degree
(Remanded to CAP Court) - Shariek Rutledge, 45, Rochester
– Grand larceny in the second degree (unlawful taking of the residence)
– Criminal trespass in the second degree
(Remanded to CAP Court) - Brittany Hollaert, 28, Rochester
– Criminal trespass in the second degree
(Remanded to CAP Court) - Dunia Amireh, 35, Rochester
– Criminal trespass in the second degree
(Remanded to CAP Court) - Shaqera Lee, 32, 922 Affinity Lane
– Criminal trespass in the second degree
(Remanded to CAP Court) - Yanira Lopez, 24, 70 Dayton Street, Apt. 2
– Criminal trespass in the second degree
(Remanded to CAP Court) - Brandon Smith, 41, 26 Karnes Street
– Criminal trespass in the second degree
(Remanded to CAP Court) - Mary Mickolichik, 60, 39 Laura Drive
– Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree
(Released on an appearance ticket)
“The neighbors were up in arms. Generally, it’s a quiet neighborhood. Everyone owns their houses there. They felt horrible for the primary homeowner, and the primary homeowner felt horrible for the neighbors,” said Capt. Michael Perkowski of Greece PD, “It affects our community. It really does. Anything we can do, however small or large, I think it has a major effect on the way we live our lives every day.”
Greece police say the operation was the result of ongoing efforts by the department’s Criminal Investigation Division to address suspected drug trafficking and prostitution at the residence.
Police added all eight suspects carried a history of prostitution and larcenies in the area, and some may have engaged in prostitution in other states.
All suspects are due back in court September 12.