Crime & Safety

St. Clair Shores Resident Allegedly Ran Over Canadian Geese

A 69-year-old resident was arraigned Wednesday on a charge of animal torture after allegedly striking, and killing, two geese.

A St. Clair Shores resident was arraigned Wednesday in for allegedly running over, and killing, geese in front of his home.

Richard E. Lesko, 69, said very little during his arraignment before Judge Mark Fratarcangeli on two counts of killing an animal, which is a four-year felony, after he allegedly struck and killed two geese with his pickup truck.

A witness reported hearing Lesko rev his engine and saw him drive his pickup truck Aug. 9 into a flock of geese crossing the road in front of his home on in the 22000 block of Lange Street, according to St. Clair Shores Police Det. Margaret Eidt.

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He allegedly struck and killed a goose as he drove through the flock. Lesko then allegedly turned his truck around and drove through the flock a second time, killing a second goose.

The witness reported seeing him going into his backyard to get a garbage can.

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Lesko took the can to the street and placed the dead geese in the garbage. He returned the garbage can to the back of his house and left the scene.

The incident led to a number of calls to City Hall about the case, and Lesko was arrested Tuesday night on warrant in the case.

He was arraigned on two counts of killing an animal, which is a four-year felony. If convicted, he could also face up $7,500 in fines and up to 500 hours of community service for allegedly killing the geese.

"Based upon on the circumstances involved in this crime I would be opposed to any type of personal bond," Eidt said in court.

Fratarcangeli set bond for Lesko at $10,000, or 10 percent, bond. He will be back in court on Aug. 24.


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