Greece, New York

From RochesterToday.com of August 23, 2005

Witness Breaks Code Of Silence

Police call it the "code of silence"--witnesses of crimes who don't speak up, some because they are afraid, others don't want to get involved. But, there is another side.

A man from Irondequoit not only helped police solve one crime, his actions may have prevented another from even happening.

When Mark Rothfuss and his buddy pulled into the Greece Mini Mart at 9:00 p.m. last November 28, they had only one thing on their mind--gas up and get to the hunting lodge. But while his friend was inside paying, Rothfuss saw another car pull up.

He noticed one man proceeded to inch forward and look at the store suspiciously while the car pulled away from the pump. Then, he realized the driver held a gun in his right hand.

What he didn't know is that the pistol was allegedly used earlier in the night to commit another crime. Two women were robbed at gunpoint outside Brueggers Bagels on Monroe Avenue. One was brutally beaten with the butt of the gun and had to be hospitalized.

Fearing he was about to be caught in the middle of an armed robbery, Mark reached for his hunting rifle.

"I kind of picked it up and set it on my lap. Mostly my concern was on them, but I figured if they did see the gun, they would be worried enough and would decide not to rob the store," he said.

Police say the two men in the car fled suddenly. No one knows for sure why. Mark alerted the clerk who called 911.

Terrell Wilson later admitted his role in the alleged crimes. The other man, Richard Rosa, is currently on trial. Rothfuss testified on Tuesday along with the two female victims.

Both men have extensive police records.

Lt. Steve Chatterson of the Greece police said, "Because of that report, police officers responded. They found the vehicle, recovered the weapon, and two dangerous criminals were taken off the streets."

Nine months later, Mark Rothfuss knows two things. He did the right thing by getting involved. But, he said, the next time, he might do it a little differently.

"My gun wasn't loaded. My bullets were in the back of the van. If something had happened I would have hightailed it and run," he said.