Gowanda man charged over domestic incident in Dunkirk

A Gowanda man is facing numerous charges after an incident Saturday evening in the 700 block of Main Street in Dunkirk.

City police responded to a domestic dispute around 7:03 p.m. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the female victim, who was able to escape from the home and had a neighbor call 911. The victim stated that the suspect, identified as Edwin Chmielewski III, 36, unlawfully entered her home and attempted to strangle her.

Chmielewski would not let the victim leave and prevented her from calling 911. Officers were also aware that Chmielewski had an active protective order in place advising him to stay away from the residence and the victim, and that he had several outstanding warrants for his arrest.

Officers attempted to make contact, but Chmielewski had barricaded himself inside the apartment and refused to come out. After several attempts to contact him, officers entered the home and found Chmielewski hiding under a mattress in a bedroom.

Chmielewski was taken into custody and is charged with second-degree burglary and first-degree criminal contempt, both felonies, second-degree unlawful imprisonment, fourth-degree criminal mischief, criminal obstruction of breathing and obstruction of governmental administration. Chmielewski was also arrested on his outstanding warrants for first-degree criminal contempt, second-degree criminal contempt, second-degree obstruction of governmental administration and second-degree harassment.