On Wednesday, members of the Village of Bath Police Department responded to the Super 8 Motel on West Morris Street following a report of an intoxicated, unconscious man who may have fallen.
Upon arrival, officers located the incapacitated victim, identified as 39-year-old Anthony Burlew. He was determined to have severe injuries from a violent assault. Burlew was stabilized by Bath Ambulance personnel and airlifted to a trauma hospital, where he remains in guarded but stable condition.
An immediate investigation led to the identification and arrest of three suspects who allegedly participated in and aided each other in the assault. Police noted the suspects and the victim were acquainted, and the incident was isolated.
William Hargrave, 61, a resident of the motel, was taken into custody on scene. Search warrants were later executed on multiple rooms, leading to the arrest of Adam El-Gaaly, 34, a homeless individual originally from Rochester who was staying as a guest of Hargrave. A third suspect, Cheyne Bonnewell, 25, also a resident of the motel, was located walking on West Morris Street by a Steuben County Sheriff’s deputy and taken into custody.
Hargrave, El-Gaaly, and Bonnewell have each been charged with one count of first-degree Gang Assault, a class B felony. Hargrave faces an additional charge of first-degree Robbery, a class B felony, after he was found in possession of Burlew’s personal property at the time of his arrest. Police noted Hargrave is a seven-time convicted felon in New York State, while El-Gaaly and Bonnewell have no prior criminal history in the state.
Following their arraignments on Thursday, Hargrave was remanded to the Steuben County Jail without bail. El-Gaaly and Bonnewell are being held at the jail on $150,000 cash bail.
The investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be filed. Bath Police expressed gratitude to Bath Ambulance, the New York State Police, the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office, the Corning Police Department, the Steuben County 911 Center, the Steuben County District Attorney’s Office, and civilian witnesses for their assistance.
