William V. Cicarell
June 21, 1917 -- March 31, 2009

The Buffalo News, April 3, 2009

William V. Cicarell of Cheektowaga, a retired Buffalo police detective who set records for recovering stolen cars, died Tuesday in Brothers of Mercy Nursing Facility, Clarence. He was 91.

Known as "The Eye," Mr. Cicarell was assigned to the Motorcycle Division in the late 1950s when he began memorizing the makes and colors of stolen cars and the last numbers of their license plates. Over the years, the police department recognized him many times for finding numerous stolen cars.

In 1964, he was appointed a detective in the Auto Theft and Robbery Squad where he continued to use his knack for recovering cars. He also made numerous arrests of robbers. One of his most famous was the capture of "The Chewing Gum Bandit," who robbed 10 Kensington-area storekeepers in early 1974 while chewing gum.

Born in Buffalo, he attended St. Mary's School and Hutchinson-Central High School. He played semi-pro baseball for teams in Jamestown, Olean and McKeesport, Pa., in 1940 and 1941.

A Marine Corps veteran of World War II, he saw action in the Pacific. After he returned from service, he worked at Ford Motor Co.'s Buffalo Stamping Plant before joining the Buffalo Police Department in 1949.