Jamel Dean, a 39-year-old Bronx resident with ties to Nyack, was arrested this week by the South Nyack/Grandview Police Department for a trespassing incident that occurred on September 23, 2014. Police say Dean was observed on video surveillance in several Nyack College buildings in non-public areas, an incident that was widely reported in the media due to the alarming nature of the offenses.

Dean was identified with the assistance of public responses to information and photographs that were disseminated through the media. At this time, the South Nyack-Grand View Police Department has charged Dean with criminal trespass in the second degree, a class A misdemeanor, and criminal trespass in the third degree, a class B misdemeanor.

The Stony Point Police Department announces the arrests of the following defendants:

COCAINE CHARGES

Christian Pantojos, 41, of 2 Deerfield Place, Bergenfield, NJ has been charged with criminal possession of controlled substance in the third, fourth and seventh degrees by Stony Point PD. On January 16, 2015, the Stony Point Police Department arrested the above individual on the above listed charges. The defendant was arrested following a vehicle traffic stop. The defendant was found to be in possession of numerous packages of cocaine. The defendant was arrested, processed and arraigned by the Honorable Judge DeCaprio of the Haverstraw Justice Court, who remanded the defendant to the Rockland County Correctional Facility.

AGGRAVATED UNLICENSED OPERATION

Jose Morales, 50, of #50 West Street Apt 2., Spring Valley N.Y. was arrested on January 19, 2015 for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree.  The defendant was arrested after being stopped for a vehicle and traffic violation.  A computer check showed his license was suspended for failure to pay child support.  The defendant was later found to be wanted on an active warrant from Haverstraw on the charge of aggravated ulicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree.

FROM CPD

On Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 8 p.m. the Clarkstown Police Department responded the 7-11 located on Rt. 59 in Nanuet for a suspicious incident involving an ATM machine located inside the store. The responding unit was informed by the victim, male, 43 of Nanuet, that he had attempted to make a transaction at the Citibank ATM machine inside the 7-11.

He stated that the card reader felt tighter than normal. Upon further investigation it appeared that a camera was mounted atop the keypad of the machine. The Clarkstown Detective Bureau responded to the scene and removed a card skimmer and camera from the ATM machine. This is an active investigation and CPD requests that if you have used this machine recently that you contact your bank or financial institution to ensure your account was not compromised.

If you have any information please contact the Clarkstown Detective Bureau at 845-639-5840.

Lissette Velilla, 39, of Wallkill, was arrested for DWI on Rt. 59 in Nanuet, 3:54 a.m., Sunday, January 18.

A Sheriff patrol officer observed the subject operating a motor vehicle in an erratic manner and found her to be intoxicated. The subject was processed at Sheriff Headquarters in New City and released on summonses to return to Clarkstown Justice Court.

BURGLARY ARREST
On the morning of January 20, Suffern PD made an arrest of a burglary suspect from an incident that took place December 21 in the village. Dorcas Garro-Navarro, 25, of 17 Lafayette Ave., Suffern, was charged with burglary in the second degree and petit larceny. He is accused of breaking into and burglarizing an apartment in the Green Room at 122 Orange Ave. on December 21 at approximately 2:20 a.m. The resident of the apartment came home during the incident and observed the defendant in his apartment. The defendant then ran from the apartment with over $200 in stolen money at which time officers responded to the location and conducted an investigation led by Sgt. Jose Martinez. After an investigation a warrant was issued for the defendant and she was picked up January 20 at approximately 7 a.m.  She was held at Suffern Police HQ waiting arraignment.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
On the morning of January 15 Suffern PD respondeded to a violent domestic dispute and arrested a Haverstraw man Brian Gonzalez, 25, of 43 Conklin Ave., Haverstraw was charged with assault in the second degree (felony), criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree (felony), criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree (misdemeanor) and criminal mischief in the third degree (felony). Police allege that during a verbal domestic dispute on Milford Ln. at approx. 8:30 a.m., January 15 the defendant broke his girlfriend’s cell phone by smashing it on the ground. After doing this he is accused of taking a belt buckle out, wrapping it around his hand and striking his girlfriend in the face causing her to sustain facial and head injuries. Officers responded to the scene and placed him under arrest and while searching the defendant they located unauthorized prescription drugs on him as well. The victim was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital where she was treated for her injuries

SUFFERN PD ISSUES SCAM ALERT
A Suffern resident called the police department to report that she received a call at her home from an unknown person who stated that he was involved in a car accident with the woman’s husband. The caller further stated that he was a fugitive and that he was holding her husband at gunpoint and wanted her to Western Union money to him for his safe release. The woman was obviously very upset and the story got more interesting when another family member received the same call which made it seem credible. Fortunately, the husband just happened to call the wife at the same time and when asked about his well-being and the current situation, he stated he was fine and at work and was unaware what his wife was referring to. The caller had the phone numbers of a few family members.

As the heaviest snowfall of the year was tapering down this morning, 30-year-old John Coppola of Stamford, CT stands accused of driving while intoxicated on Route 17. Coppola was pulled over at the intersection of 17 and Liberty Rock Rd. at 10:30 a.m. after a Ramapo police officer determined his 2001 Ford Focus was following another vehicle too closely.

Police claim they found Coppola to be inebriated upon examination. He is being held by police pending his arraignment.

Rockland County received between four and eight inches of snow Friday night into Saturday morning.

Rose, Howard

A 25-year-old Stony Point man is accused of providing alcohol to a 13-year-old female at his 276 Willow Grove Rd. home this past Friday night.

Alleged perpetrator Howard Rose was pulled over for speeding Friday, January 23, when police say they discovered him to be in possession of “several packets” of marihuana*. Following his processing for possession of marihuana charges, Stony Point detectives questioned him about a complaint received from parents that he provided their 13-year-old daughter with booze at his house.

Detectives determined the complaint was valid and arrested him on charges of endangering the welfare of a child and unlawfully dealing with a child, both Class A misdemeanors. Rose was ordered to appear in Stony Point Justice Court on February 5 before Judge William Franks. He was released on an appearance ticket and was not sent to County Jail.

Note – marihuana, with an ‘h,’ is the proper spelling of the word in the NY Penal System

SUFFERN – A Haverstraw woman whose car was impounded faces harassment and criminal mischief charges after she slapped a tow truck company worker and broke the worker’s telephone, according to Suffern police.

Police said that the woman’s car was impounded in another community and was towed to Suffern by a local company. When the woman went to pay the impound fee, police said she became belligerent to the workers at the company.

The incident, police said, led to the woman slapping a female employee across the face and breaking the worker’s phone.

The woman, police said, did not get her car out of impound and will face additional fees as well as a hearing in Suffern Village Court from the Thursday incident.

Nyack Free Press

Nyack man accused of public lewdness after incident in South Nyack

SOUTH NYACK – A 62-year-old Nyack man has been arrested on charges of public lewdness after an investigation of an exposure incident near a South Nyack apartment complex, according to South Nyack-Grand View police.

Police said Stephen P. Boyle of Depew Avenue, Nyack, was arrested in connection with an incident that took place on Thursday, Jan. 22, at about 5:45 p.m. near the Eagle Rock Apartments. At that time, police said a man exposed himself to a victim who was less than 16-years-old.

Boyle is charged with first-degree public lewdness, a misdemeanor, and trespassing, a violation. He was arraigned in South Nyack Village Court and ordered held in the Rockland County Correctional Facility in New City in lieu of $6,000 bail.

Nyack Free Press

NYACK – A report of a dispute led to the arrest of a Hillburn man on felony drunken driving and drug charges in Nyack on Saturday night, according to Orangetown police.

Police said town officers went to Catherine Street in Nyack at about 11:10 p.m. on Saturday to investigate a complaint of a dispute and an unwanted person. The led police to stop Douglas J. Laforge, 40, of 14 Suffern Road, Hillburn.

Laforge, police said, was found to be driving a 1998 Ford Escort while intoxicated. Police said he failed field sobriety checks and the investigation led to the discovery of a marijuana cigarette and a glass pipe containing a small amount of crack cocaine.

Police said Laforge was charged with felony DWI because of two previous DWI convictions within the past 10 years. Additionally, he was charged with first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a felony, and seventh-degree criminal possession of a a controlled substance, a misdemeanor. He was also cited for unlawful possession of marihuana, a violations.

He was arraigned by Nyack Judge Robert Knoebel and was ordered held in the Rockland County Correctional Center in New City on $1,500 bail pending a hearing in Nyack Village Court.

FROM USCBP

U. S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Newark Liberty International Airport seized heroin found inside the sides of a suitcase.

On January 15, Mr. Eduardo Acosta, a United States Citizen, arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport from Bogota, Colombia, and presented himself for inspection. During the examination of Eduardo Acosta’s luggage, CBP officers felt the suitcase was unusually heavy.

The passenger was subsequently escorted to a private search room where CBP officers conducted a physical search of his baggage. Upon further inspection the sides of the suitcase were probed revealing a brown powder that tested positive for heroin. In total, an estimated weight of 4 lbs. of heroin was seized with an approximate street value of $120,000.

“CBP Officers remain ever vigilant in protecting the United States from the distribution of these dangerous drugs, regardless of the concealment methods employed by these would-be smugglers,” said Robert E. Perez, Director of CBP’s New York Field Operations.

Mr. Eduardo Acosta was turned over to the Port Authority Police Department. He now faces state prosecution for narcotics smuggling charges. All defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

SUFFERN – a 28-year-old Congers man already on probation for a drug conviction was arrested on charges of violating a court order after he went to his former girlfriend’s home in Suffern on Monday, damaged items in her home and even set fire to a boot, according to Suffern police.

Suffern police Chief Clarke Osborn said no one was injured in the 11:30 a.m. incident on Highland Avenue in Suffern.

Osborn said the Suffern woman had obtained a court order mandating that her estranged boyfriend, Sean Nazario of 1 Lamborn Ave., Congers, stay away from her. Police said Nazario went to the woman’s home and did extensive damage to her belongings, including breaking items and throwing bleach on several items of clothing and furniture.

Village police officers found Nazario a short distance from the woman’s home and arrested on charges of violating the existing court order. Osborn said police also learned Nazario is on probation for a drug conviction in Rockland County.

Nazario was arraigned in Suffern Village Court and was ordered held in the Rockland County Correctional Facility in New City pending a hearing on Friday.

Nazario is charged with first-degree criminal contempt, third-degree criminal mischief and fifth-degree arson.

Nyack Free Press

Transient Paul Clement

Paul Clement, a 30-year-old transient known to roam the North Rockland area, has been charged with burglary in the second degree, two counts of grand larceny in the fourth degree, one count of grand larceny in the third degree and criminal possession of stolen property in the third degree for allegedly breaking into his parent’s home and stealing personal items from them, as well as a neighbor’s 2014 Honda automobile and other belongings.

Clement’s parents complained to Stony Point PD that their son had stolen a wallet containing credit cards from their home. The defendant fled the scene and is accused of shortly thereafter breaking into another Stony Point home, while the homeowners were upstairs sleeping, and stealing their wallet, cell phone, car keys and the 2014 Honda. The defendant and vehicle was located later that day in Nyack, New York.

The defendant was arrested, processed and arraigned by the Honorable Judge John Grant of the Haverstraw Justice Court, who remanded the defendant to the Rockland County Correctional Facility on $25,000 bail.

The Stony Point Police were assisted by the RC Intelligence Center, the Orangetown Police Dept. and the RC Sheriff’s BCI Unit.

NEW CITY – The Clarkstown Police Department announced on Monday that they were investigating a spate of incidents which involved counterfeit $100 bills passed at commercial locations around Nanuet.

The first two incidents occurred at locations on Route 59 last week. The first involved a female suspect who passed a counterfeit on January 26 to pay for a balance due at a bank in Nanuet, while the second involved an unknown suspect who passed two of the bills at a gas station.

The third incident took place on North Pascack Road, where a taxi driver was given a counterfeit $100 bill by a male suspect to pay for cab fare on February 1.

Police do not believe the incidents are connected, but are continuing to investigate. They have advised local business-owners and those who handle money to be wary of fakes and encourage them to visit the U.S. Secret Service’s website for a quick instruction on warning signs that might suggest a counterfeit bill.

BY CAROL McILMURRAY

Orangetown police officers responded to a report of a man breaking into parked cars on Sunset Road in Blauvelt at 3:47 a.m. Monday morning.

The suspect later identified as Bassem Yousef, 28, of Braircliff Manor, NY, led officers on a foot chase through local residents’ backyards, woods, and a stream between Sunset Rd and Burrows Ln. and eventually collapsed in a resident’s backyard and was taken into custody.

Police said they found Yousef to be in possession of two stolen credit cards, stolen from vehicles parked in driveways on Ellsworth Dr., 16 packets of heroin, 16 hydrocodone pills, 23 Xanax pills and two packets of cocaine.

Yousef was taken to OPD Headquarters in Orangeburg where it was determined he was suffering from a drug overdose. Officers revived the suspect with Narcan and he was taken to Nyack Hospital for further treatment.

Suspect was then arraigned at Nyack Hospital by Judge Finning and remanded to the Rockland County Jail pending a future court date in Orangetown Court.

Yousef was charged with two counts of criminal possession of stolen property fourth degree, five counts of criminal possession of controlled substances seventh degree and resisting arrest.

ROCKLAND COUNTY SHERIFF’S  OFFICE POLICE DIVISION:

GRAND LARCENY
Brian Koenigsberger, age 31, residing in New City, NY, was arrested on January 21, 2015. He was wanted on an outstanding Rockland County Court warrant for grand larceny in the fourth degree, a felony. He was brought to the county jail pending an appearance in county court.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF
Nicholas Woodford, age 25, residing in Tappan, NY, was arrested on January 21, 2015 by Sheriff’s Department detectives in West Nyack. He was wanted on an outstanding Rockland County Court warrant for criminal mischief in the third degree and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree. He was brought to the county jail pending an appearance in county court.
 

FAILURE TO RESPOND TO FAMILY COURT
Jonathan Black, age 28, residing in Kerhonkson, NY, was arrested on January 21, 2015 on outstanding Family Court warrant issued on February 14, 2014 by Rockland County Family Court Judge Warren, for failure to respond to Family Court for arrears in excess of $982.14, which is owed to the private petitioner. The subject was arraigned by the Honorable Judge Eisenpress of the Rockland County Family Court and was released without a return court date.

AGGRAVATED UNLICENSED OPERATION
Roger Nunez, age 21, residing in Haverstraw, NY, was arrested for aggravated unlicensed operation in the second degree. A Sheriff Patrol Officer observed the subject operating a motor vehicle on Rt. 9W with vehicle equipment violations. The subject was found to be operating the vehicle while his privileges to operate a vehicle was suspended for a DWI conviction. The subject was processed at scene and released on summonses to return to Haverstraw Justice Court.

TOWN OF RAMAPO POLICE DEPARTMENT:

DWI
Ramapo Police arrest a party this date at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Route 17 and Liberty Rock Road for driving while intoxicated. An officer observed a 2001 Ford Focus following another vehicle too closely and found the operator of the vehicle to be intoxicated. The driver John Coppola age 30 of Stamford, CT was arrested and is being held at the Ramapo Police Station pending his arraignment.

MISSING PERSON LOCATED
Ramapo Police have located missing person Carl Eric Balin as of January 21, 2015. Mr. Balin was located by an officer on patrol in the Hillcrest Area of town. He was in good health and is now in the care of family members.

DA REPORT:

PUBLIC LEWDNESS
A 62-year-old Nyack man has been arrested on charges of public lewdness after an investigation of an exposure incident near a South Nyack apartment complex, according to South Nyack-Grand View police. Police said Stephen P. Boyle of Depew Avenue, Nyack, was arrested in connection with an incident that took place on Thursday, Jan. 22, at about 5:45 p.m. near the Eagle Rock Apartments. At that time, police said a man exposed himself to a victim who was less than 16-years-old. Boyle is charged with first-degree public lewdness, a misdemeanor, and trespassing, a violation. He was arraigned in South Nyack Village Court and ordered held in the Rockland County Correctional Facility in New City in lieu of $6,000 bail.

Bass

The Clarkstown Police Department has arrested Jamie Bass, 41, of Nanuet, for an alleged robbery at the Four Seasons Cleaners, located at 214 Smith Road in Nanuet, Tuesday evening.

Responding patrol units interviewed the victim, a 61-year-old female from Nanuet, who told officers that a white male, about 50-years-old, entered the store, handed her a note demanding money or he would shoot  her and also telling her verbally that if she didn’t hand the money to him he would shoot her. The female victim gave the male suspect approximately $100.

The suspect fled the scene in a taxi waiting outside the store. A male witness standing outside of the location was able to copy the license plate number and gave the information to the detective on scene, which led investigators to 14 N. Pascack Rd in Nanuet.

A search warrant was obtained to search the residence for the suspect where Bass was found and arrested at approximately 8:30 p.m. He was charged with robbery 1^st (felony), robbery 3^rd (felony), criminal possession of stolen property 5^th (misdemeanor) and resisting arrest (misdemeanor).

Bass was arraigned and bail was set at $150,000 with a return court date of February 6, 2015 at 9:30 a.m.

The perils of prolonged adolescence and public intoxication were on display at the mall this Sunday, as a 21-year-old responded to a “dare” from friends by jumping off the second story of the mall walkway to the first floor approximately 20 feet below.

The individual, Nicholas DiBlasi, 21, of Park Ridge, NJ was found by Clarkstown PD on the floor “conscious, dazed, and seemingly intoxicated” on the east of the mall near Macy’s according to a police press release.

Police said Diblasi told them that he had jumped over the railing on the second floor on a dare from his friend who had “doubted his resolve to do it.” Diblasi was taken to Nyack Hospital for treatment of injuries, including an injury to his leg. None of the injuries appeared to be serious or life threatening.

Diblasi was charged with reckless endangerment in the second degree for his spontaneous jump into a well-trafficked pedestrian area. Diblasi left in custody of Nyack Hospital staff with a return date of February 23 in the Clarkstown Justice Court. No photo is available of Diblasi, police said.

ORANGETOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT:

DWI & UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA
On Saturday January 31, 2015 at 2:29 a.m., the Orangetown Police Department arrested Jennifer Fojtlin, 30, of Orangeburg, NY for DWI. Ms. Fojtlin was stopped for a traffic violation on Old Middletown Rd. in Pearl River. She failed numerous field sobriety tests and was placed under arrest for DWI. She was taken to police headquarters where she refused to submit to a breath test. Additionally, a small bag of marijuana was found in subject’s purse. She was charged with DWI misdemeanor and unlawful possession of marijuana. Subject is due in Orangetown Justice Court on February 24, 2015 to answer the listed charges.

DWI
On Saturday January 31, 2015 at 3:44 p.m., the Orangetown Police Department arrested Paul Kolinsky, 48, of Pearl River NY for DWI. Mr. Kolinsky was involved in a motor vehicle accident on Veterans Memorial Drive. Officers administered field sobriety tests, which the subject failed. An alco-sensor test was also administered to the subject, which tested positive for the presence of alcohol. Subject was arrested and brought back to Orangetown Headquarters where he consented to a breath test, which he failed. Subject was charged with Aggravated DWI misdemeanor. He was released on $200 cash bail and is due in court on February 24, 2015 at 9 a.m.

DWI & UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA
On Sunday February 1, 2015 at 3:19 a.m., the Orangetown Police Department arrested Gregory Stevenson, 25, of Pomona NY, for DWI on Polhemus St. in Nyack. Mr. Stevenson was stopped by the Orangetown Police for failing to stop at a designated stop sign. Subject failed field sobriety tests, was arrested for DWI. While being transported to Orangetown Headquarters the subject vomited in the rear of the patrol vehicle. Subject transported to Nyack Hospital for blood test. Seven bags of marijuana were also found on the subject. Subject was released on an appearance ticket to return to Nyack Justice Court on February 24, 2015 to answer to the charges of D.W.I. and unlawful possession of marijuana.

ROCKLAND COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

DWI
Derek Klinke, age 28, of Airmont, NY, was arrested on February 7, 2015 for DWI. A Sheriff Patrol Officer observed the above subject operating a motor vehicle on North Main St. in an erratic manner. The subject was found to be intoxicated and arrested.  The subject was processed at Sheriff HQ in New City and released on summonses to return to Clarkstown Justice Court.

MENACING
Daniel McCormack, age 31, of Haverstraw, NY, was arrested for menacing in the second degree. An incident occurred on a Transport of Rockland Bus involving the above subject threatening a passenger with a knife. The subject was located with assistance of the Town of Haverstraw Police. The subject arrested and was processed at Sheriff HQ in New City and held for arraignment at the Haverstraw Justice Court.

BURGLARY
Millie Sauvan, age 38, homeless, was arrested on February 7, 2015 for burglary in the first degree. The subject was wanted on an outstanding County Court Warrant for burglary and was located by a Sheriff Officer at Good Samaritan Hospital. The Subject was arrested with the assistance of the Suffern Police Department and brought to the Rockland County Jail to await a hearing in County Court.

HARASSMENT
Saul Sosa, age 34, of Garnerville, NY, was arrested on February 3, 2015 for harassment in the second degree. The subject was arrested on outstanding IDV warrant issued on November 18, 2014, by Rockland County Family Court Judge Eisenpress, for failure to respond to Family Court to a November 17, 2014 court appearance. The subject was released and case was closed.

FAILURE TO RESPOND TO FAMILY COURT
John Seward, age 42, residing in Mastic, NY, was arrested on February 3, 2015 for violation of UIFSA of the family court act. The subject was arrested on outstanding Family Court warrant issued on February 14, 2014 by Rockland County Family Court Judge Eisenpress, for failure to respond to Family Court for arrears in excess of $27,122.37, which is owed to the private petitioner. The subject was arraigned by the Honorable Judge Eisenpress of the Rockland County Family Court and was released with a return court date of April 1, 2015 at 10:30 a.m.

DA REPORT:

DWI
Sheriff Louis Falco announces the conduct of a targeted STOP-DWI enforcement detail on January 31, 2015 in conjunction with Spring Village PD. Three subjects were found to be operating motor vehicles in an intoxicated condition in the vicinity of the check point. The subjects were processed and issued summonses in accordance with violations committed. This joint STOP-DWI enforcement detail was funded by the Rockland County STOP-DWI office in Pomona.

MUG SHOTS IN THURSDAY’S PRINT EDITION

By Michael Riconda

NEW CITY – A major anti-drug sweep across Rockland County nabbed 22 suspects on over 80 counts of drug sale and possession charges, some of which originated in open air drug markets in downtown centers.

The crackdown involved searches of seven locations spread across Orangetown, Clarkstown, Ramapo and Haverstraw. According to Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Zugibe, police seized tens of thousands of dollars in cash as well as heroin, powder and crack cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana and oxycodone.

The investigation, which took place over the span of two months, turned up dozens of separate instances of open air drug sales among busy main roads in in downtown areas of the villages of Spring Valley, Haverstraw and Nyack.

“These arrests are just the latest results of a coordinated law enforcement and prosecutorial anti-drug initiative that has produced long sentences for dangerous criminals and safer neighborhoods for our residents,” Zugibe said in a press release. “We will continue to work together with our local, state and federal partners, elected officials and community leaders to keep our families safe.”

The vast majority of the suspects were no strangers to police. Out of the 22 suspects brought in, 19 had prior convictions or pending charges for drug and weapon offenses, assault, theft, criminal impersonation, criminal mischief, criminal trespass and parole violations.