$21,000
Reward The FBI is offering
arewardof up to$20,000716-484-7085 &$1,000by
Crimestoppers 716-856-5600 for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons
responsible for taking Yolanda Bindics life.
Thursday, December 23rd
2004 Thursday, volunteers continued their
search for 26-year old Yolanda Bindics.
Family and friends are still wearing the
emotional scars from the sudden disappearance of
the Jamestown mother of four. With Bindics' sister
in town from North Carolina for the holidays, she
says she couldn't go home without giving it
another shot. It's her first Christmas home in
eight years, and Margaret Ostrom is searching for
any signs of her missing 26-year old sister
Yolanda Bindics. “It's hard,” said Ostrom. “It's
really hard. I mean she's my best friend.”
Ostrom and a few family friends are searching in
a landfill behind the quality markets on Fluvanna
Avenue. Four months ago, on August 10, Bindics
suddenly disappeared. She was last seen leaving
work at the Family Dollar store on Fluvanna
Avenue. The search Thursday also takes them to the
area by the railroad tracks near Jones and Gifford
Avenue. They are hoping the holiday season gives
them closure. “We want any miracle, even if it's
not a holiday, even if it's after Christmas or
after the new year,” said Michelle Butman, a
family friend. “We need closure. We need to find
something right now.”
“I just take it one day at a time,” said Ostrom.
“Some days I fall apart, some days I'm
strong.”
The search Thursday came up empty, but friends
say they will continue to search every weekend
until they find Yolanda.
Wednesday, December 22nd
2004 Grand Jury Indicts JPD Officer
A suspended Jamestown police officer, Michael
Watson will now stand trial for multiple counts of
stalking and aggravated harrassment and
departmental charges (total of 12 counts) after a
Chautauqua County grand jury ruled Wednesday that
there is probable cause to continue the case. The
incidents allegedly happened over a two year
period beginning in September of 2001. Watson will
be arraigned January 3 in Chautauqua County court.
Tuesday, December 21st
2004
There will be another Public search for Yolanda
Bindics in Jamestown.
When: Thursday December 22nd at 10:30
am.
Meeting Place: Fluvanna
Ave. Family Dollar
Sunday, December 19th
2004 Whether a Jamestown police officer on
suspension will face criminal charges may be known
before Christmas.
Jamestown police officer Michael Watson, will
appear before a Chautauqua County Grand Jury
Wednesday, December 22nd where he could face
charges for allegedly stalking and harassing three
women.
Buffalo attorney Edward C. Cosgrove, the special
prosecutor in the harassment and stalking cases,
said he made the decision to present the case to
the grand jury independent of the police
department. "I felt that this unusual step was
necessary based upon my independent
investigation," Cosgrove said Saturday. "It's best
for the citizens of Chautauqua County represented
by the grand jury to hear about this alleged
criminal conduct." He said he could not comment on
whether he would seek more severe felony charges
by way of the grand jury.
Watson, 34, also faces departmental charges,
police said. He has been suspended from the police
force without pay. Watson was involved with
Yolanda Bindics, the mother of four who's been
missing since August.
Investigators haven't connected these charges
with the Bindics' case and is not considered a
suspect.
Monday, December 13th
2004 Family and friends continue conducting
searches in hopes of finding clues. WBFO'S Eileen
Buckley talked to a friend of Bindics. Michelle
Butman of Jamestown says Yolanda's young children
continue to ask "where's mom."Earlier this month,
family, friends and volunteers held another large
search effort, but nothing was found. A $21,000
reward is posted for information leading to the
whereabouts of Yolanda Bindics. $20,000 is posted
by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the other
$1,000 is from Crime Stoppers. Friend, Michelle
Butman, said it is very "depressing" as the
holiday approaches. Relatives continue to watch
Yolanda's children, ages eight through one. WBFO
News
Sunday, December 5th
2004
Family and friends carefully treaded the woods
today, knowing hunters were also out for deer
season. They were joined by several folks who read
about the search in the local newspaper. And a
private citizen who specializes in helping for
such searches, drove all the way from Warren with
her Cadaver Dog to help out. The family hopes to
find more of Bindics Belongings.
www.35wsee.com
Tuesday, November 30th
2004
There will be another search for Yolanda Bindics
in Jamestown.
When: Sunday December 5th at 12 p.m.
Meeting Place: Corner of
Newland and Huxley in Jamestown. It is planned to
search two areas in Jamestown, which will be
announced at the meeting place.
Family and Friends of Missing Mother of Four,
Yolanda Bindics are Requesting the Aid of
Volunteers in Another Search.
"We are in desperate need of
more people to help us in this search. We are
asking ALL Organizations and Individuals to help
us look for clues. We Need Your Help!"
Rain, shine, snow or sleet
will not stop this search!
Saturday, November 27th
2004 Family and friends are literally following
dreams in hopes of finding a missing southern tier
mother of four. A friend of 26-year old
Yolanda Bindics has been dreaming about an area
near Hillcrest Baptist Church on Hallock Street in
Jamestown. The search party met Saturday
morning.
Bindics’ story has touched so many people, one
man who is not a friend or relative drove over two
hours today to assist in the search. Not even
private property hinders the search for Yolanda
Bindics as the missing Jamestown woman's family
scoured the wooded area.
“We’re desperate and we need more people — I’ll
search every weekend we can get down here,’’ said
Mrs. Chmielewski, a Buffalo resident. Prospects of
future searches grow dim as winter approaches, but
each effort maintains the family’s stamina and
reminds the public of their loved one’s
disappearance once more. “Hopefully, someone has
seen something or will be reminded,” Mrs. Bindics
said. “Hopefully we’ll find something.”
So far nothing has been found at this location.
Saturday’s search included an area near where
34-year old Jamestown Police Officer Michael
Watson lives. The officer is on administrative
leave. He continues to be a person of interest in
the case.
Her family has tried hard to stay hopeful through
search after search, but that hope is wearing
thin. "It's a terrible feeling," said Patricia
Bindics, Yolanda's mother. "We don't know how to
place it in reality in our minds."Bindics family
continues to search different areas of Jamestown
every weekend. Family and friends say they'll
continue to search until the young mother is
found.
Friday, November 26th
2004 It's been three and a half months
since Yolanda Bindics vanished, and her family
says that sadness and frustration are taking over
their lives. Her family has tried hard to stay
hopeful through search after search, but that hope
is wearing thin. With clues slowly drying up and
little else to go on, her family says its now
willing to listen to the advice offered by psychic
friends, who have led them to a particular
spot.
The place is Hallock Street in Jamestown,
specifically a wooded area there, where the family
is planning a weekend search. Yolanda's family
says psychic friends repeatedly dreamed about that
area. They also saw a white cross that perhaps,
they say, is like the one on the front of a church
on Hallock Street.
The search party will meet Saturday, November 27
at 11 a.m. at Hillcrest Baptist Church in
Jamestown.
The Bindics family is asking for volunteers, if
for no other reason than to help them cover more
ground in what's expected to be a wide search
area.
2 on Your Side
The area being searched coincidentally is close
to where police officer Michael Watson lives. It
was not known by friends, where Watson lived until
after that area was chosen and announced to the
public that it will be searched.
Sunday, November 21th
2004
Here are some new developments in the case;
Yolanda went on a weekend getaway to the Niagara
Falls, Ontario Casino with Darien Thomas, the
father of her 5-year-old daughter, Courtney. They
were starting to re-kindle their relationship. But
she was also apparently having a relationship with
Jamestown police officer, Michael Watson. Her
family believes she was with Watson the weekend
before her trip with Darien.
The night she disappeared, family members say she
was planning on telling them a secret. “We really
don't know what the secret was. We speculated that
she was pregnant, but I think they found out she
wasn't pregnant,” said Patricia Bindics. That's
right according to police.
All four fathers of Yolanda's four children have
cooperated with police. Officer Michael Watson has
been suspended without pay and is considered a
person of interest in the missing person case.
“I really can't get into who we've eliminated and
who we are looking closer at, that's still part of
this investigation,” said Detective Osterdahl.
“For this to happen to her and for what reason, I
just can't put my finger on it. But there's a
reason that some one wanted her out of the way, we
have our own thoughts as to why this happened but
proving it is another thing,” said Detective Art
Osterdahl, Jamestown Police.
“Yolanda's purse and personal items were
dumped in a storm drain on or about August 10th,”
said Detective Osterdahl. Police now know exactly
which storm drain that items were discarded.
"Those items have been sent out to be
processed for prints along with other items of
evidence,” said Detective Osterdahl.
The search for Yolanda Bindics and who took her
continues. “I'm not going to give up looking for
her or following every lead I can find, until I
find out what happened to her,” said Detective
Osterdahl.
WKBW.com: 7 NewsWatch This News
Clip
Friday, November 19th
2004
Officer Watson is a 9-year veteran of the
Jamestown Police Department. He's currently
suspended without pay after several woman say he
harassed and stalked them, one victim says it's
been going on for seven years.
“It's certainly disturbing to find out that
something has gone on and that it's been going on
over a period of time,” said Capt. Lee Davies of
the Jamestown Police. “It's certainly problematic
and we want to make sure that we take steps to
ensure that in the future any type of that
information would come forward much more
quickly.”
All the alleged victims want to remain anonymous
because the community is so small. One woman
who works at WCA Hospital told investigators
Watson made lewd gestures toward her, including
grabbing his genitals right in front of other
police officer.
Watson is also accused of stalking and
harassing some women he worked with at the
Jamestown Police Station, all while he was on duty
supposedly as he was serving and protecting the
community.
Another victim who was a co-worker claims Watson
exposed himself to her in the police station while
he was in uniform, and she was afraid to tell
anyone. Another female coworker stated she had
an affair with Watson and had sex with him while
he was on duty in a parking lot on Fluvanna Avenue
near Washington Street. When she wanted to
break it off, Watson wouldn't let it go and kept
calling her. WKBW.com: 7 NewsWatch This News
Clip
Friday, November 12th
2004 By SABRINA BLANCO POST-JOURNAL
A suspended Jamestown police officer allegedly
committed several inappropriate acts while on
duty, according to witness statements on file with
Jamestown City Court. The charges are
detailed by nine witness statements on file
detailing Michael Watson’s alleged inappropriate
activities toward three women that resulted in
criminal and civil service charges. Watson is
suspended without pay from the Jamestown Police
Department.
According to the victims and witnesses, Watson
allegedly harassed each of the three women with
consistent phone calls. e-mails and sexual
behavior that threatened their personal well-being
while he was both on and off duty.
“I wanted to end it with Mike, but no matter how
I tried to tell him, nothing worked,” the victim
wrote. She reported six incidents between
May and August 2003 where Watson had harassed her
or sat outside of her home. It did not end until
the victim threatened to have him arrested. Read More
Wednesday, November 10th
2004 Its been exactly Three months since a
Jamestown mother of four, Yolanda Bindics
disappeared, yet family and friends refuse to give
up hope for her return. We will continue to pray
for her return and keep faith that God will bring
her home.
The Post-Journal who has recently taken a
lot of slack for not fully covering the Yolanda
Bindic's case, finally put a nice article in their
paper about her. I think our constant letters
to the editor got their attention. Today on the
front page of the Post-Journal I found:
Mother of Four Still Missing 3 Months Later by
Sabrina Blanco.
The day Yolanda Bindics disappeared her family
was expecting some sort of news from her. In
the last days before her disappearance, her family
said she was waiting to tell them a secret.
Now, three months after the Jamestown mother
of four officially became a missing person her
family still wonders what she had to tell
them. Read More
Saturday, November 6th
2004 Attorney Edward Cosgrove, a private attorney
from Buffalo, NY, will be handling (Officer)
Michael Watson's case on behalf of Chautauqua
County. Court hearings are expected to take place
in the Chautauqua County region. It has not
been determined when or where the courts cases
will take place. Michael Watson, a person of
interest, in the Yolanda Bindics cases is facing 9
unrelated charges of sexual harassment and
stalking. Civil service charges have also been
filed relating to numerous violations of
departmental policies and procedures
Thursday, November 4th
2004 What happened to Yolanda Bindics? It's
a question that haunts her friends and family here
in Jamestown, and we just don't know. But
over the past few weeks we've been able to find
out what happened in the days leading up to her
disappearance -- events, conversations, some of
which could be a window into solving the
mystery. Read More THANK
YOU 2 ON YOUR SIDE NEWS - THE ONLY MEDIA WHO HAVE
TASTEFULLY CONTINUED COVERAGE ON YOLANDA
BINDICS!
Wednesday, November 3rd
2004 Crimestoppers is offering an
additional reward of up to $1,000. If you have any
information on this crime, call the Crimestoppers
hotline at 716-856-5600 or #5600 if you have a
Sprint cell phone. You will remain anonymous.
Saturday, October 30th
2004 Jamestown Post Journal Readers'
Forum
Is Mike Watson a Scapegoat?
Submitted by Elaine of Jamestown.
Elaine discusses her displeasure with the media's
coverage of Michael Watson. She states, "It was
noted that his picture would not be shown due to
'extenuating circumstances'. However his
picture was shown several times on major
television stations; even though he had not been
charged with a crime."
Read More
Tuesday, October 26th
2004 What ever happened to the Persons of
Interest Clarence (Carl) Carte andOfficer Michael
Watson.
We know that Carl was extradited to Florida,
where he was wanted for a probation violation
stemming from an armed robbery charge. Has
the
questioning
stopped basically because he's in Florida, and
that's
Florida's problem now?
As for
Watson.....What....When.....Where....Will.....
He ever be tried for the stalking of several
women?
Where's the Media? Where's the Police?
Where's the FBI? I think it's time for some Real
Answers!
Find Carte:
NYS Inmate Lookeup -
Florida Fugitive
Friday, October 15th
2004 The case of a missing Jamestown mother
hit the national airwaves Thursday night. The hit
CBS Television drama "Without a Trace" featured a
public service announcement about 26 year old
Yolanda Bindics Thursday night. The mother of four
disappeared without a trace from her work more
than two months ago. The FBI and family members
hope the segment featuring Yolanda's picture and
brief description will generate new leads in the
case.
Tuesday, October 12th
2004 The Chautauqua County District
Attorney will seek a prosecutor from another
jurisdiction to handle the case against a
suspended Jamestown police officer accused of
stalking local women. Originally the D.A was
looking at Cattaraugus County, but that
county will not be handling the case due to
high case volume, now the D.A. is looking at Erie
County for the case to be held. No word yet from
Erie County. Chautauqua County Judge John Ward
granted this request for recusal in Mayville
today. An assistant district attorney will
prosecute while a judge from Chautauqua County
presides.
In other news: The FBI is making use of
the CBS television network to try to
get leads in the case of missing Jamestown
mother Yolanda Bindics. On this Thursday night's
broadcast of drama series "Without a Trace," the
nation will be made aware of Yolanda's
disappearance in a brief profile report. "Without a Trace" airs this Thursday at 10:00
p.m. on Channel 4.
Friday, October 8th
2004 The Chautauqua County D.A. wants to
move the harassment case against a suspended
Jamestown police officer to Cattaraugus County to
avoid conflicts of interest.
Wednesday, October 6th
2004
Jamestown Police say they're no closer to solving
the disappearance of Yolanda Bindics, even after
what initially seemed like a promising arrest to
her family. Michael Watson was still on
active duty in the early and most crucial days
after Bindics disappeared. Authorities say four
days had passed before they learned of Watson's
relationship with Bindics. On August 19th,
Watson was then put on paid leave (nine
days after Yolanda went missing) (5 days after
they claim they found out out about the
relationship).
"I don't think at this point (we know) this is
the person and we need to prove this is the
person," said Captain Lee Davies of the Jamestown
Police Department. For now, new missing posters
show a $20,000 reward for information about
Bindics's whereabouts. Authorities believe someone
other than her abductor knows something important,
but will not come forward.
"The information must be there," Davies said.
"Someone needs to come forward and share that with
us to help."
Tuesday, October 5th
2004 Jamestown Police Officer Michael
Watson is accused of harassing and stalking a
number of women. Former Jamestown Police
Dept. employee, Crystal Butera says she's one of
them. Officer Watson has been suspended
from the department without pay after an internal
investigation, and is free on $10,000 dollars
bail pending a hearing. Authorities say his case
will be transfered out of the area so he can
receive a fair trial if he decides to fight the
charges.
Police say the charges are not related to the
Bindics case, but that Watson is still a
person of interest.
Monday, October 4th
2004
A Jamestown city police officer who has been on
leave since shortly after the disappearance of a
mother of four was arrested today on unrelated
stalking charges. Officer Michael Watson
was released on $10,000 bail after being charged
one count of official misconduct, two counts of
stalking, two counts of harassment and four counts
of aggravated harassment. Police released no
details on the stalking charges.
Saturday, October 2nd
2004 FBI Offers $20,000 Reward ForInformation In Bindics Case
The FBI is trying out a new tactic in the search
for a missing mother of four from Jamestown.
Authorities say all of their leads are drying up
in the search for Yolanda Bindics, so now they're
reaching out for new information by offering a
substantial reward.
The announcement came Friday morning during a
press conference at FBI Headquarters in Downtown
Buffalo. Alongside members of the Jamestown Police
Department, FBI special Agent-in-charge Peter
Ahearn said the agency is offering a $20,000
reward for information leading to the whereabouts
of Bindics or to the whereabouts of the person
responsible for her disappearance.
The fact that authorities acknowledged that "a
person" is responsible for her disappearance
represents a significant shift in what they've
been telling reporters. Until Friday's press
conference, authorities would not speculate on
what happened to Bindics when she vanished August
10th while leaving work in Jamestown.
Authorities are now willing to say they believe
Bindics was likely abducted.
Friday, October 1st
2004 News4
The FBI is offering a cash reward as the
search expands for a missing mother of four from
Jamestown. Officials are hoping that an FBI reward
of up to 20,000 dollars will help them solve this
case. Jamestown Police Chief William MacLaughlin
said, "Hopefully, this offering of a reward will
bring additional information to us that will lead
to the location of Yolanda." Peter Ahearn, Special
Agent in Charge of the Buffalo FBI field
office, said, "You recognize, at a point in an
investigation, and in agreement among the
investigators, that this might be something that
is useful."
The Associated
Press
The FBI Friday posted a $20,000 reward for
information leading to the whereabouts of Yolanda
Bindics, a mother of four last seen leaving work
nearly two months ago. Our leads are starting to
dry up. We're starting to receive the same
information," said William MacLaughlin, chief of
police in Jamestown. Police have interviewed
hundreds of witnesses but have not come up with a
suspect. Nor have investigators ruled anyone out,
the chief said.
Wednesday, September 29th
2004 - HAPPY
BIRTHDAY YOLANDA! By the end of a birthday vigil
for Yolanda Bindics, there were few dry eyes among
the 100-plus friends and relatives who came to
pray for her safe return home. They gathered for a
special candle-light vigil at Allen Park in
Jamestown on the night of her 26th birthday, if
she’s still alive. “I never thought we’d have to
gather like this,” said Yolanda’s sister-in-law
April Bindics. “I wish we could be out with her
having fun.”
Her birthday service began with a prayer from the
priest of her local parish. Many at the vigil
signed an enormous birthday card. Relatives said
they’d give Yolanda the card when she returned
home. Later in the night, several of her relatives
spoke to the large crowd, including Yolanda’s
mother and older sister.Three of Yolanda’s four
children came, and her second youngest child,
Allison, blew out a special birthday candle meant
for her mother. She also released a balloon into
the sky. As for Yolanda, a large photograph
mounted on an easel stood in her place. The large
crowd also sang happy birthday to Yolanda. Her
priest ended the song with the words, “please come
home.” 2 on Your Side
Saturday, September 25th
2004
The Buffalo News Paper did a fantastic article on
Yolanda!
It's to bad that our own local
newspaper will Not give the same time and effort.
So I Encourage all who read this to tell the
Jamestown Post Journal just how Disgusted they
are! You can do this at: Letter to the Editor *UPDATE* 11/28-Thanks to
all who emailed the Post-Journal they have
recently been covering more of Yolanda.
Candlelight Vigil Announced 2 on Your Side
The family of a missing Jamestown mother of four, is
preparing to observe her 26th birthday this coming
Wednesday.
The image of Yolanda Bindics has now been seen
repeatedly on television screens and we've followed
the searches in everything from the city of Jamestown
sewers, to the Chautauqua Gorge. Since her August 10th
disappearance from the Family Dollar store on Fluvanna
Avenue, only her purse and her car keys have been
found.
Her family is still holding on to hope and are
continuing in their search to find her. Yolanda's
family and friends will mark her birthday with a
candlelight vigil from 8:00pm to 8:30pm at Alan Park
in Jamestown on Wednesday night. A missing Southern
Tier mother of four will be remembered on her
birthday. 7 News
A candlelight vigil will be held for Yolanda Bindics
on Wednesday at eight o'clock in Jamestown's Allen
Park. Bindics has not been seen since August 10.
Yolanda will be 26-years old. The family is also
planning a benefit to raise money for her
children.
A missing Jamestown woman will be remembered by
family and friends on a special day. TV-4
Loved ones of Yolanda Bindics will hold a candlelight
vigil this Wednesday, her 26th birthday. The mother of
four disappeared August 10th after leaving her job on
Fluvanna Avenue. The vigil will take place Wednesday
around 8 o'clock in Jamestown's Allen Park.
The public is invited to attend. You're asked to
please bring your own candle.
Thursday, September 16th
2004 Crews used special equipment to scope
out sewer systems in Jamestown, looking for clues
in Yolanda Bindics' disappearance. Police recently
retrieved Bindics' purse and keys from the sewer.
So far, no solid leads have turned up since the
mother of four vanished August 10th.
Wednesday, September 15th
2004 Police have found another piece of
physical evidence in the mystery surrounding the
disappearance of Yolanda Bindics.
A search of a Jamestown storm sewer turned up a
personal set of keys belonging to Yolanda.
Investigators on the case continue to canvass the
area where the items were found in an attempt to
find anyone who may have seen someone getting rid
of them.
Meanwhile, (Carl Carte) the father of
Bindics' youngest child has been extradited
to Florida, where he's wanted for a probation
violation.
Friday, September 10th
2004 Its been exactly one month since a
Jamestown mother of four disappeared.
Yoland Bindics disappeared after leaving her job
August 10th. Her locked car was found shortly
afterward several miles away. Since then, police
have searched by helicopter, foot and dive teams
and found nothing. Earlier this week, Yolanda's
purse washed out of a sewer during heavy rains.
Her wallet and a photo were also found. "Those
items are in the possession of evidence personel
who are deciding which labs should examine them
for fingerprint or DNA evidence," says Jamestown
police Captain Lee Davies. "We just don't have
evidence to say something has or has not happened
to her." Police say until they have evidence of
violence or abduction, they will continue to
investigate this as a missing persons' case.
www.wgrz.com
Wednesday, September 8th
2004 Jamestown found new evidence that may
help them find Yolanda Bindics. A discovery
Wednesday morning may put authorities one
step closer to finding a missing mother of 4
children. Jamestown Police confirm several items,
including a purse, belonging to Yolanda Bindics
have been found at 8th and Monroe in the City of
Jamestown. Those items were found this morning
near a sewer, apparently not far from where
Bindics disappeared on August 10th. Authorities
are now conducting a massive search of the area
including below ground in the ongoing effort to
find the missing woman.
Yolanda's purse apparently washed up out of the
sewers after heavy rains and flooding in the area.
A passerby found the person and called police.
Hours after the discovery, police found Bindics's
key chain in another storm drain near 6th and
Jefferson just up the road. They said all of the
items had likely been disposed of days ago... if
not significantly longer. All items found are
being sent to a forensic lab.
Police also confirm they continue to hold
Clarence Carte, the father of one of Bindics'
children, on unrelated charges. A Jamestown police
officer, known as a "personal acquaintance" also
remains on administrative leave .
Friday, September 3rd
2004 The search for Yolanda Bindics took an
interesting twist, as investigators moved their
search from Jamestown, New York, where Bindics was
last seen, to a wooded area in Chautauqua County.
With search dogs and helicopters, dozens of
investigators scoured these woods and gorge in
Chautauqua County.
Jamestown Police Dept. Det. Scott Depietro said,
"It's a site that's been associated with some of
the people we've been talking to and we're just
looking into every direction that this case could
take us." Investigators say they have several
persons of interest in the case and some of them
have spent time camping in the gorge.
Police searched a mile and a half square radius,
including campsites at the end of Hammon Road.
They found many articles of clothing, but now they
must determine what was left by campers... and
what, if anything, is evidence.
Investigators concluded their search around
3:00pm Thursday afternoon. They do have some new
information from their search, but they will not
discuss it.
Thursday, September
2nd 2004 JAMESTOWN, N.Y. Authorities today are
searching a gorge in western New York for clues
that may help in the investigation of a missing
Jamestown woman. Local, county and state law
enforcement officials are combing the Chautauqua
Gorge for evidence.
Authorities say they decided to search the gorge
after learning one of their persons of interest
visited the area. Police will not release that
person's name; however, they said the search had
nothing to do with Clarence Carte, the father of
one of Bindics's children. Carte was arrested last
week on unrelated robbery charges from
Florida.
Wednesday,
September 1st 2004 With help from a lawyer, custody of
Bindics' 5-year old daughter was granted to
the child's father, Darien. Carl
Carte is also seeking custody of
the youngest daughter (While in prison,
standing in his place at court was Carl's
mother). The other 2 fathers is currently seeking
custody of their children. Patricia,
Yolanda's mother is also currently seeking custody
of all the children.
Monday, August 30th
2004 Investigators confirm that Carte is
"not a top person of interest" in Bindics's
disappearance.
Saturday, August
28th 2004 Police are questioning a "person of
interest" in connection with the disappearance of
Yolanda Bindics, who hasn't been seen since August
10th. Clarence (Carl) Carte of Jamestown,
New York, was arraigned Saturday morning, and
charged as a "Fugitive from Justice." He's wanted
in Florida for violation of probation on a
robbery. He was arrested on Friday without
incident.
Friday, August 27th
2004
Another "Person of Interest", has been named,
Clarence Carte (aka Carl). Police brought
His car in as possible evidence. Investigators are
performing forensic tests on Carl's car but aren't
commenting on what they are looking for. Carl
Carte was arrested today on unrelated charges.
Carl Carte is reportedly the father of
Bindic's youngest child.
Thursday, August 26th
2004 A search crew of about 50 people from
numerous agencies are searched a three square mile
area of Jamestown , in connection with the
disappearance of 25 year old Yolanda Bindics.
Police will only confirm that new information
prompted this search.
Police have conducted several searches in the
past. The search was centered around Maccadem
Industries gravel pits and the surrounding area
that is made up of marsh, ponds and railroad
tracks. Police say that they were looking for any
clues, evidence or anything suspicious. Among some
items found were some footprints, a water logged
photo album and a blue tarp. Police are not
confirming whether the items are significant to
the case.
Wednesday, August 25th
2004 Jamestown Police Dept. moves missing
woman's case to front burner. As area police
agencies pool their resources to search for
Yolanda Bindics, less important cases are being
temporarily set aside to search for the
25-year-old mother of four. JPD states that this
case is still steam ahead. Police rule out Canada
Trip as a factor in her disappearance. JPD states
that there still isn't a suspect or a definitive
list of suspects involved with
Yolanda's disappearance.
Tuesday, August 24th
2004
The search for Yolanda Bindics, the 25-year-old
Jamestown woman who never came home from work at
the Family Dollar on Fluvanna Avenue two weeks ago
tonight, continues to be ''extremely frustrating''
for investigators.
Two weeks after her disappearance, some of the
"missing" flyers bearing Yolanda Bindics’s name
and photo are starting to tear, fade, and fall off
telephone poles in Jamestown.
And although her picture is now posted on
America's Most Wanted website, the 25-year-old
mother of four is hardly getting the same national
attention given to other women who had vanished,
like Lori Hacking and Laci Peterson.
After several searches, investigators say they've
turned up nothing. But the city police department
has put an officer who had a relationship with
Bindics on paid leave. They've also asked the FBI
to question him. The same officer, Michael
Watson, in question was still on active duty
in the early and most crucial days of the
investigation.
Monday, August 23rd
2004 High-ranking officials confirm that
Officer Michael Watson of the Jamestown
Police Department was placed on paid
administrative leave last week. Watson is being
questioned as a person of interest in the
disappearance of Yolanda Bindics. He apparently
had a personal relationship with the young mother
of four. The 25-year-old woman was reported
missing on August 10th.
Friday, August 20th
2004
There was another massive search effort Thursday
for missing 25 year-old Yolanda Bindics. Near the
Jamestown Plaza where her abandoned car was found
more than a week earlier, investigators took
measurements, and made footprint and tire track
castings while rescue teams with search dogs
combed acres of wooded land. They've also been
monitoring Bindics's cell phone and bank account.
Officials say neither has been disturbed.
Meantime, Jamestown Police continue to insist
that the officer who had a relationship of some
sort with Bindics, a mother of four, is not a
suspect in her disappearance; however,
investigators acknowledge the FBI has questioned
the unnamed officer. Officials say he was put on
paid leave simply to avoid a conflict of interest.
But Channel 2 News has learned that he was not put
on leave until five days after Bindics vanished.
Investigators say they didn't know about the
connection at first. They also say that the
officer's presence in the department during the
early, crucial days of searching did not
compromise or taint the investigation.
No one knows what has become of Bindics.
Authorities say the weekend before she disappeared
she took a trip to Canada. But like all of the
other leads in the case so far, that one turned up
empty.
Thursday, August 19th
2004
A new development, in the case of the Jamestown
woman who's been missing for more than a week, a
Jamestown police officer has been placed on
administrative leave, after he admitted being in a
relationship with the mother of four.
The search continues for 25-year-old Yolanda
Bindics. Police say her disappearance is
suspicious. She was last seen leaving her job at
Jamestown's Family Dollar Store more than a week
ago. Her car was found the next day, less than
half a mile away.
Tuesday, August 17th 2004 Yolanda Bindics, 25, a Jamestown mother of
four, vanished without a trace, one week ago
today. Police in Jamestown have to separate fact
from fiction as they investigate the disappearance
of Yolanda Bindics.
Rumors are now circulating about the missing
woman. Police received several calls yesterday
from people saying they heard Bindics body was
found in a dumpster. Officers had to convince them
that those reports are not true.
Monday, August 16th 2004
Jamestown - Volunteers and
police searched over the weekend for a mother of
four who's been missing since Aug. 10. Yolanda
Bindics, 25, was last seen locking up the dollar
store where she worked. It was a warm and sunny
day Sunday, one of the few nice weekend days this
summer. By late morning, dozens of friends and
family gathered to begin searching for 25 year
old
Yolanda
Bindics. The
mother of four had left her job at the Family
Dollar store in Jamestown last Tuesday evening,
and hasn't been seen since.
Her car was found less than a half mile away the
next day, parked at a fast-food restaurant.
Bindics' young children are staying with
relatives. Police say the disappearance is
suspicious.
Saturday, August 14th 2004 Friends and family of a missing Jamestown
woman are asking for help to join them for a
search on Sunday morning at 11:00 on Fluvanna
Avenue at locations where she and her car were
last seen.
Friday, August 13th, 2004 Jamestown Police are looking for a 25 year
old mother of 4 who disappeared Tuesday Night.
Yolanda Bindics, an employee at the Family Dollar
Store, closed the shop Tuesday Night around 8:30,
but never came home. Police found her car the next
day at a near by restaurant. Jamestown
Police say family and friends thinks it’s unlikely
Bindics ran off, but detectives won’t say it they
suspect foul play.
Jamestown Police are now working with the FBI and
other law enforcement agencies in the search for
the missing mother of four children. Yolanda's
sister provided information for the FBI. The
family is also asking friends and other volunteers
to join them for a search on Sunday morning at
11:00 on Fluvanna Avenue at locations where she
and her car were last seen.
M&T Bank
2-8 East Third Street
Jamestown , NY 14701
c/o Friends of Yolanda Bindics
M&T Bank Your closet location Your city and state
c/o Friends of Yolanda Bindics
M&T Bank
788 Tonawanda Street
Buffalo , NY 14207
c/o Friends of Yolanda Bindics
Want to Help?
You Can do so by Printing Posters,
take them to work, give them to friends, post them
while running your errands.
You Can Also help by Mailing/Emailing
Networks for News Coverage, you'll
find a whole sheet of
Labels
to print along with contacts.
You'll will also Find
BusinessCardsvery easy Distribution
Don't Forget to add
Yolanda's
Banner to Your site. Do you have any Comments,
Suggestions, or would like to help in any way
please Email me at:Administrator