Wu

REPORT FROM CLARKSTOWN PD

On Thursday February 12, 2015 at 3:40 p.m. the Clarkstown Police Department responded to Miller Road in Valley Cottage for a report of an assault.

Responding patrol units interviewed the victim, an 18-year-old female of Miller Road Valley Cottage. The victim stated that she was at home with her friend, an 18-year-old female from Central Nyack, when she heard what sounded like someone banging at her front door. As the banging at the door continued the front door window was shattered by a male with what appeared to be a crow bar. At that time, a male and female suspect forcibly gained access into the residence by breaking the door window. The male suspect was swinging the crow bar towards the two female victims and yelling “Give me my money.”

The victim said that the male suspect began to pick up the shattered glass from the front door window and threw pieces at her causing several cuts to her legs. The suspects took a cell phone and an I-Pod from the residence, ran out of the house and fled the scene in a gray 4×4 truck. The victim was able to throw an object at the vehicle, shattering the rear window. The patrol units broadcasted the vehicle and suspect description. The vehicle and suspects were observed at the Lake Ridge Shopping Plaza in Valley Cottage a short time later. The suspects, Tao Zhang, 26 and Vivian Wu, 25, both of Nanuet were arrested and transported to police headquarters for processing. At the time of the arrest, Wu’s 4-month-old child was in the vehicle. The child was placed in the care of family members.

Zhang

The victim that lived at the residence was transported to Nyack Hospital for lacerations. The preliminary investigation revealed that the parties may have been involved in a drug deal in the past with the suspects being angry with a friend of the victim. The detective bureau is following up on the matter. The suspects were charged with robbery 1st (felony), burglary 1st (felony), criminal mischief 3rd (felony), menacing 2nd (misdemeanor), harassment 2nd(violation) and endangering the welfare of a child (misdemeanor). They were arraigned in the Clarkstown Justice Court. Bail was set at $35,000 and they were transported to the Rockland County Jail. They will return to court on February 18, 2015 at 1:30 p.m.

The Town of Haverstraw Police announce the arrest of Wilfredo Franco, 55, of Lincoln Street in the Village of Haverstraw on the following charges, rape in the first degree (two counts) and sexual conduct against a child  in the First degree.  He is accused of having sex with a child less than 11 years of age on more than one occasion over a period of time greater than three months. He was arraigned in the Village of Haverstraw Justice court and was sent to the Rockland County Correctional Facility in lieu of $100,000.00 bail. The Town of Haverstraw Detectives were assisted in the investigation by members of the Child Advocacy Center.

DA REPORT:

CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE & UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA
Ricardo Belizaire, age 27, residing at 292 N. Middletown Road, Pearl River, NY; Romello Deloatch, age 20, residing at 244 N. Main Street, Spring Valley, NY; and Tailore Fergurson, age 21, residing at 23 SV Commons, Spring Valley, NY, were indicted on January 28, 2015 by a Rockland County Grand Jury for the crimes of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third, fourth, and seventh degrees (two counts), unlawful possession of marijuana and defendant Belizaire additionally with driving while ability impaired by drugs. District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe stated that on or about August 15, 2014 at approximately 2:45 p.m., the defendant while acting individually and in concert, possessed Oxycodone, cocaine, heroin and marihuana with the intent to sell. Defendant Belizaire operated the vehicle while impaired by the use of narcotic analgesic and or marihuana.

DWI
Yusef Mahmud-Bey, age 24, residing at 27 Norris Street, Garnerville, NY, was indicted on January 28, 2015 by a Rockland County Grand Jury for the crimes of driving while intoxicated as a felony and circumvention of ignition interlock device. District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe stated that on or about June 25, 2014 at approximately 2:30 a.m., the defendant was stopped by a Stony Point Police Officer for vehicle and traffic violations. Upon approaching the vehicle the officer observed the defendant to be in an intoxicated condition as evinced by the odor an alcoholic beverage, glassy eyes and impaired motor coordination. The defendant’s vehicle was supposed to be equipped with an ignition interlock devise due to a previous DWI in the Village of Nyack in 2012.

GRAND LARCENY & FALSIFYING BUSINESS RECORDS
Alfred Vaillancourt, age 54, residing at 208 Old Indian Road, Apt. 3A, Milton, NY, was indicted on January 23, 2015 by a Rockland County Grand Jury for the crimes of grand larceny in the second degree and falsifying business records in the first degree. District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe stated that on or about and between November 1, 2012 and February 18, 2014, the defendant while working as a bookkeeper at Super Value in the Village of Spring Valley, submitted false invoices and bills on behalf of a trucking company for whom the defendant also worked as a bookkeeper.

CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF STOLEN PROPERTY
Tory Means, age 30, undomiciled, was indicted on February 4, 2015 by a Rockland County Grand Jury for the crimes of criminal possession of stolen property in the third degree. District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe stated that on or about September 9, 2014, the defendant was in the Village of Spring Valley and knowingly possessed a black bag containing numerous cameras and camera equipment valued over $3,000, which was stolen from a vehicle in Monsey.

CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF FORGED INSTRUMENT
Jhamecia Watkins, age 18, residing at 71 South Cole Street, Spring Valley, was indicted on February 4, 2015 by a Rockland County Grand Jury for the crimes of criminal possession of forged instrument in the second degree. District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe stated that on or about September 20, 2014, the defendant attempted to cash a forged check written on the account of the victim’s at the M and T Bank in Chestnut Ridge.

ROCKLAND COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE POLICE DIVISION:

DWI
Nechmy Abarca-Chaves, age 20, residing in Stony Point, NY, was arrested for operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of .08% or more. A Sheriff Patrol Officer observed the subject operating a motor vehicle on Rt 9W Congers 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.

DWI & UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA
Cameron Bayne, age 27, residing in New City, NY, was arrested for reckless driving, DWI as the second offense in 10 years, obstruction of governmental administration and unlawful possession of marijuana. A Sheriff Patrol Officer observed the subject operating a motor vehicle on Rt. 304 in New City in an reckless manner. The subject failed to follow directions of the Sheriff Officer.   He was found to be intoxicated and arrested. The subject was also found to be in possession of marijuana. He was processed at Sheriff HQ in New City and arraigned at the Clarkstown Justice Court.  The subject was then remanded to the Rockland County Jail on $1,500 bail.

DWI
Ashley Adams, age 25, residing in Dumont, NJ, was arrested on February 14, 2015 for aggravated DWI. A Sheriff Patrol Officer observed the subject operating a motor vehicle on Rt. 59 Nanuet in an erratic manner. The subject was found to be intoxicated and arrested. She was processed at Sheriff HQ in New City and released on summonses to return to Clarkstown Justice Court.

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

CLARKSTOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT:

ROBBERY & CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF STOLEN PROPERTY
On Tuesday February 3, 2015 at approximately 6 p.m., the Clarkstown Police Department responded to a report of a robbery at the Four Seasons Cleaners, located at 214 Smith Road in Nanuet. Responding patrol units interviewed the victim, a 61-year-old female from Nanuet. The female told officers that a white male, about 50 years old, entered the store and handed her a note demanding money or he would shoot her. She said he also told 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. The information gathered at the scene led investigators to 14 N. Pascack Rd in Nanuet. Responding officers were able to confirm that the suspect was inside the location. A search warrant was obtained to search the residence for the suspect. Entry was made into the residence and the Clarkstown Detective Bureau arrested Jamie Bass, 41, of 14 N. Pascack Road, Nanuet at approximately 8:30 p.m. He was charged with robbery in the first degree (felony), robbery in the third degree (felony), criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree (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.

TOWN OF RAMAPO POLICE DEPARTMENT:

DWI
Daniel Albarelli, age 18, of Suffern, NY, was arrested for driving while intoxicated following an accident on Golf Course Drive. He was processed and released, and is due to return to the Village of Montebello Justice Court on Feb 11, 2015 at 5 p.m.

DWI & UNLICENSED OPERATION OF MOTOR VEHICLE
Francisco Lopez-Cazarin, age 36, of Suffern, NY, was arrested following a traffic stop. He is being held at the Ramapo Police Station pending arraignment. He has been charged with driving while intoxicated and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Hans Themistode

Hans Themistode, 24, of Brooklyn, was arrested at the mall after he was caught with 11 fraudulent credit cards. Themistode was also allegedly carrying a fraudulent Rhode Island driver’s license.

According to police, the suspect attempted to pass one of the forgeries to buy several gift cards at Aldo Shoes, where it was noticed that the numbers encoded on the security strip did not match the numbers on the card. Themistode fled the store, but was apprehended by Clarkstown Police before he left the mall.

Themistode was slapped with twelve charges of second degree criminal possession of a forged Instrument and eleven counts of first degree identity theft. He was remanded to the custody of Rockland County Jail with bail set at $15,000 and is due in court on February 25, 2015.

Sheriff urges residents to remain vigilant in response to Mall of America threat

BY MICHAEL RICONDA

NEW CITY – With fear mounting following terror threats against Minnesota’s Mall of America, the Lower Hudson Valley has been on alert for potential threats of their own.

However, while law enforcement personnel remain vigilant toward both larger terror plots and less-sophisticated “lone wolf” attacks which occur without outside support, there are no known, credible threats to shopping centers in the region, according to Sheriff Louis Falco.

“As you know, those lone wolf threat that came over and that the public is aware of at large malls is something that we are concerned about,” Falco said. “Although we do not have any credible threat that is documented, we are concerned about it and therefore we are on high vigilance.”

Falco, who serves Rockland, Orange and Sullivan Counties as Chairman for New York State’s Counterterrorism Zone 4, also explained that he has not heard of any major terror threats to malls in the region in the past, though this is not to say the region is at zero risk.

Concerns about attacks on shopping centers heightened after Al-Shabaab, a Somali terror group connected to Al-Qaeda, released a video calling for strikes on malls in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. The Mall of America in Minnesota, a city with a large Somali community, was mentioned by name.

The threat is particularly alarming given the group’s history, which includes a four-day hostage situation at a shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya which resulted in over 60 deaths. Both the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI stated they are not aware of any threats to the Mall of America or other shopping centers at the present time.

Due to its close proximity to New York City, its sizable Jewish community and its large shopping centers such as the Palisades Mall and the Shops at Nanuet, Rockland County faces a uniquely-heightened security risk from terror groups.

Consequently, Falco stated Rockland has formed a close relationship with NYC and surrounding counties with its “Securing the Cities” campaign, a partnership which began in 2006 with radiological and biological detection activities. Bomb-sniffing police dogs also regularly patrol sensitive locations such as train stations in the region.

Regional shopping centers largely rely on police presence and surveillance for security purposes, but Falco strongly emphasized the importance of public vigilance and encouraged residents to contact police if they spot suspicious activity.

“We can’t be everywhere and we count on the public to see something and say something,” Falco said.

Gathering places for large groups of people and the relative difficulty of identifying and stopping lone wolf terrorists has created a challenging situation for counter-terror officials and law enforcement.

At the same time, the DHS and FBI reported the Al-Shabaab video paradoxically signals the relative weakness of the group, its seeming inability to engineer attacks in Western nations without appealing to lone wolves and a desire for media attention to boost their own image and compete with better known groups such as ISIS.

Patrick Crowe

NEW CITY – An Orange County man was found guilty on Wednesday of sexually abusing a boy several times over the course of three years.

Patrick Crowe, 36, of Middletown, New York, was found guilty on charges of predatory sexual assault of a child, a class A felony and sexual conduct against a child in the second degree, a class B felony. He was also convicted of endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor.

Prosecutors with the DA’s Special Victim’s Unit made the case that Crowe repeatedly preyed on the boy between January 2010 and August 2012, beginning when the boy was eight-years-old. Crowe was known to the victim prior to the abuse.

The boy, who suffers from Asperger’s Syndrome, was qualified by Judge Rolf Thorsen as a vulnerable victim at the request of the Special Victims’ Unit. As a result, he was allowed to testify outside of the courtroom via a live video feed which was displayed on a closed circuit television in court.

According to District Attorney Thomas Zugibe, much of the proscution’s case hinged on successful testimony from the victim.

“The defendant might have escaped punishment for his depraved acts had his young victim not bravely testified about his attacker’s abusive and manipulative behavior,” Zugibe said. “The jury has spoken and the defendant now faces a considerable prison sentence. Sadly, the consequences of such molestation of the victim are profound and may result in emotional trauma from which he may never fully recover.”

Crowe, who is being held at the Rockland County Jail without bail, faces 25 years to life in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for June 2, 2015.

ROCKLAND COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE, POLICE DIVISION:

Ruben Monroy-Jordan, age 31, residing in Haverstraw, NY, was arrested on February 21, 2015 for DWI. A Sheriff Patrol Officer observed the subject operating a motor vehicle on Route 45 in an erratic manner and with an equipment violation on the vehicle. 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 Ramapo Justice Court on March 3, 2015.

FAILURE TO RESPOND TO FAMILY COURT
Kareem Grant, age 34, residing in Nyack, NY, was arrested on February 17, 2015 on an outstanding Family Court warrant issued on January 23, 2015 by Rockland County Family Court Judge Eisenpress, for failure to respond to Family Court for arrears in excess of $4,602.18 owed to the Department of Social Services. The subject was arraigned by the Honorable Judge Warren and remanded to the Rockland County Jail with a bail of $2,000 and a return court date for February 18, 2015 at 2 p.m.

FAILURE TO RESPOND TO FAMILY COURT
Anthony Rodriguez, age 24, residing in Spring Valley, NY, was arrested on February 20, 2015 on an outstanding Family Court warrant issued on August 8, 2014, by Rockland County Family Court Judge Eisenpress for failure to respond to Family Court for arrears in excess of $2,887.59 owed to the Department of Social Services. The subject was arraigned by the Honorable Judge Theodore from the Spring Valley Justice Court and remanded to the Rockland County Jail with a bail of $2,000 and a return court date of February 24, 2015 at 2 p.m.

FAILURE TO RESPOND TO FAMILY COURT
Ricky Jones, age 38, residing in Garnerville, NY, was arrested on February 13, 2015 d on an outstanding Family Court warrant issued on August 29, 2014  by Rockland County Family Court Judge Warren for failure to respond to Family Court for arrears in excess of $15,567.59 owed to the Department of Social Services. The subject was released with a return court date of February 18, 2015 at 2 p.m.

CLARKSTOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT:

On February 20, 2015, at approximately 3:40 p.m., Clarkstown Police responded to Aldo Shoes at 2641 Palisades Center Drive,  West Nyack, NY, for a report of a male party who had attempted to purchase Aldo gift cards with a credit card, which was determined to be fraudulent. Specifically, the numbers printed on the card did not match the numbers encoded on the security strip. It was also alleged that the suspect presented a Rhode Island driver’s license, which also appeared to have been forged. The suspect fled the store and was later located in the mall by Clarkstown Police personnel and subsequently identified as Hans Themistode, 24, of Brooklyn, NY. On his person, Themistode had 11 fraudulent credit cards, in addition to a fraudulent Rhode Island driver’s license. Themistode was charged with 12 counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree and 11 counts of identity theft in the first degree. Themistode was arraigned before the Honorable Howard Gerber at the Clarkstown Justice Court. Themistode remanded to the Rockland County Jail in lieu of $15,000 bail. His return court date is February 25, 2015 at 1:30 p.m.

TOWN OF RAMAPO POLICE DEPARTMENT:

PEDESTRIAN STRUCK
Ramapo Police responded to the intersection of Monsey Blvd. and Walter Dr. in Monsey at approximately 9:17 p.m. on Tuesday, February 17, 2015 for a reported motor vehicle accident. Investigation on scene revealed that a 2010 Toyota Sienna, operated by a 59-year-old male of Brooklyn struck a 19-year-old female Monsey resident crossing Monsey Blvd. The 19-year-old female was transported by a Hatzoloh Ambulance to Westchester Medical Center for further evaluation of a possible head injury.  At this time, the extent of the injuries are unknown. The driver of the vehicle remained on scene and was not injured. The Ramapo Police Accident Investigation Unit responded to scene and conducted an accident reconstruction. There were no tickets or charges issued, and at this time, a further investigation is pending.

Former longtime funeral director of TJ McGowan Funeral Home in Haverstraw Donald Cranston was indicted recently on charges of grand larceny in the second degree for allegedly stealing $200,000 from the funeral home over a 40-month period between 2010 and 2013.

District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe stated that Cranston would purposely not report services rendered to the company and instead divert the payments to his personal bank account.

This week Cranston pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was originally  arrested this past September.

DA REPORT:

GRAND LARCENY
Juanita Campbell, age 45, residing at 73 Varick Homes, Newburgh, NY, and Annie Oates, age 47, residing at 47 Williamsburgh Drive, Newburgh, NY, were indicted on February 20, 2015 by a Rockland County Grand Jury for the crime of grand larceny in the fourth degree. District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe stated that on or about August 7, 2014 at 11 a.m., the defendants stole merchandise from the Target in the Village of Spring Valley. The merchandise stolen was valued at approximately $1,050.

CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

William Daberkow, age 34, residing at 34 Burda Lane, New City, NY, and  Marlena Daberkow, age 33, also residing at 34 Burda Lane, New City, NY, were indicted on February 11, 2015 by a Rockland County Grand Jury for the crimes of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the second and third degree and criminally using drug paraphernalia in the second degree. District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe stated that on or about January 29, 2015, William Daberkow was stopped while operating his vehicle and found to be in possession of marijuana. Subsequent to the arrest, a search warrant was executed on the residence that he shares with his wife, and they were both found to be in possession of approximately 6.73 oz. of cocaine.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF & CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF STOLEN PROPERTY
Sammy Foda, age 23, residing at , 37 Woodland Drive, Suffern, NY, was indicted on February 18, 2015 by a Rockland County Grand Jury for the crimes of criminal mischief in the third degree and criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree. District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe stated that on or about and between July 26, 2014 and September 19, 2014, the defendant damaged five street lights in the Village of Suffern. He was also found in possession of two street signs. The damage was in excess of $250.

DWI & AUO
Juan Rosa, age 33, residing at 51 Redwood Place, Jackson, NJ, was indicted on February 18, 2015 by a Rockland County Grand Jury for the crimes of driving while intoxicated as a felony and aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree. District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe stated that on or about August 30, 2014 at 2 a.m., on the Palisades Parkway in the Town of Clarkstown, the defendant operated a motor vehicle while intoxicated from the consumption of alcohol and while knowing or having reason to know that his license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle in New York was suspended and/or revoked. The defendant had a previous DWI in December 2012.

CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF STOLEN PROPERTY & CRIMINAL MISCHIEF
Jamarr Wilson, age 20, residing at 101 Lake Street, Spring Valley, NY, was indicted on February 18, 2015 by a Rockland County Grand Jury for the crimes of criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree and criminal mischief in the fourth degree. District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe stated that on or about September 5, 2014, the defendant was found to be in possession of a stolen ATV while in the Town of Ramapo. The value of the ATV was in excess of $1,000.

CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF STOLEN PROPERTY
Bassem Yousef, age 29, residing at 53 Hickory Road, Briarcliff Manor, NY, was indicted on February 13, 2015 by a Rockland County Grand Jury for the crime of criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree (two counts). District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe stated that on or about February 2, 2015, the defendant stole property from parked vehicles while in the area of Sunset Road, Ellsworth Drive and Burrows Lane in Orangetown. The defendant was found to be in possession of a stolen credit card and debit card.

ORANGETOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT:

AGGRAVATED DWI
Harry T. Lusk of Nanuet, NY, was arrested on February 6, 2015 at 9:30 p.m. for aggravated DWI, a felony, as well as being a fugitive from justice. The subject was found slumped behind the wheel of his vehicle with the engine running at the intersection of St. Route 303 and Bradley Parkway in Blauvelt. The subject failed several field sobriety tests and was placed under arrest for DWI. While at police headquarters, the subject consented to a breathalyzer, which indicated that he was more than twice the legal limit. Investigation also determined the subject was wanted out of Hunterdon County, NJ, as a fugitive from justice. The subject was processed and remanded to the Rockland County Jail to await extradition.

HOUSE FIRE
The Orangetown Police Department responded to a house fire at 10 Orchard Lane in Pearl River at approximately 9:53 p.m.  on February 10, 2015. Pearl River Fire Department was on the scene to extinguish the fire, and Nanuet and West Nyack Fire Departments were dispatched. Nobody was injured at the scene and the home occupants were accounted for. The cause of fire is currently under investigation by the Orangetown Police Department Detective Bureau, the Orangetown Fire Inspector and the Orangetown Building Inspector.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT
Rian Prefl, of Nicholas Ave., Hillsdale, NJ, was arrested on February 14, 2015 was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and harassment in the second degree after becoming unruly and disorderly on West Central Ave. in Pearl River. Subject is scheduled to return to the Orangetown Justice Court on February 25, 2015 at 6 p.m.

UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA
Richard Hogan, of S. Serven St. in Pearl River, NY, was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of marijuana subsequent to a traffic stop for a VTL violation. Richard Hogan was released on his own recognizance at the scene ad is scheduled to return to the Orangetown Justice Court on March 17 at 9 a.m.

DRIVING WHILE ABILITY IMPAIRED BY DRUGS & CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
The Orangetown Police received a complaint about a vehicle driving erratically in the Pearl River area. An Orangetown police officer observed the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop on same. The officer approached the driver and noticed that the individual had slurred speech and poor motor control. After a brief investigation, the subject was placed under arrest for suspicion of driving while ability impaired by drugs. At this time, the subject was also found to be in possession of a controlled substance. The subject was transported to Orangetown Police headquarters, where he was administered a chemical test with results to the test pending. The subject was charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs and criminal possession of a controlled substance, both misdemeanors. The subject was released on $200 bail with a court appearance in Orangetown Justice Court on March 11 to answer said charges.

WHITE PLAINS – Jurors today returned a guilty verdict for Lacey Spears, the Chestnut Ridge mother accused of poisoning her 5-year-old son Garnett by introducing a lethal dose of salt through his feeding tube.

Following a 14-day trial at Westchester County Courthouse and two days of deliberation by a jury, Spears, 27, was convicted of second-degree murder, which carries a penalty of 15 years to life in prison. She will be sentenced on April 8.

The case garnered national media attention due in part to Spears’ small amount of public visibility prior to the trial. During her time in her native Alabama and after her subsequent move to Rockland County, Spears frequently posted updates on Facebook and a personal blog which kept followers abreast of Garnett’s health troubles.

However, after Garnett died at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in Valhalla on January 24 of last year, Spears’ actions became the object of increasing suspicion. During the trial, several doctors testified that Garnett’s death was the result of a sudden spike in sodium levels which could not be explained by anything but foul play.

Police searches of Spears’ residence turned up two feeding bags containing large amounts of salt. In addition, prosecutors presented evidence that in the days before Garnett’s death, Spears had used her computer and phone to search for terms related to sodium poisoning, presumably in preparation for an act Lead Prosecutor Pat Murphy characterized as “nothing short of torture.”

Spears’ defense countered that there was no concrete evidence of poisoning, arguing the bags were not obtained during the first search of Spears’ residence and that the elevated sodium levels in Garnett’s blood could have been the product of dehydration or an undiagnosed disorder.

It is not certain at this time whether Spears and her defense attorney Stephen Riebling will choose to appeal the decision, but Westchester District Attorney Janet DiFiore stated that if they do so, she is “very confident” the conviction will be upheld.

BY JERRY DEMARCO

CLIFFVIEW PILOT

Police Wednesday afternoon confirmed that they’ve arrested two heroin-addicted brothers from Rockland County in connection with the robberies of a TD Bank in Paramus last Friday and another bank in Hawthorne, NJ on Tuesday.

Craig Raymond Gunset and George Gunset of Sloatsburg were both found passed out in a car parked at a Route 17 gas station just before 1 a.m., a little over seven hours after the Chase Bank on Lafayette Avenue in Hawthorne was robbed, authorities said.

In plain view were heroin and needles, authorities said.

READ MORE: Rockland brothers accused of bank heists in Bergen

FROM DA’S OFFICE

Dilone Castillo, 19, a resident of 135 Maple Avenue, Haverstraw was indicted on February 27, 2015 by a Rockland County Grand Jury for the crimes of robbery in the second degree and criminal possession of a stolen property in the fifth degree.

District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe stated that on or about September 2, 2014 at approximately 1:30 a.m., the defendant and several other males, beat up and assaulted a Haverstraw resident who was walking home from a friends house. The victim was cutting through the parking lot of St. Peters School in Haverstraw when he was attacked. In the course of the beating both his cell phone and baseball type hat were stolen from him. A third party who had witnessed the event called the police.

Based upon information put over the police radio responding police officers stopped a vehicle in which the defendant was a passenger a short distance from the crime scene. The defendant was identified by the victim and was found to be in possession of the victims cell phone.

He was arraigned before the Hon. John Grant of the Town of Haverstraw Justice Court. He was held in lieu of $5,000 bail pending future court appearances.

Example of commercial activity at Pezzementi property

The ongoing saga between neighbors Marge Fonseca and Todd Pezzementi on Lindbergh Road in Stony Point took an unexpected turn this week, as Stony Point Justice Frank Phillips sent Todd’s father Dominic to the slammer due to his son’s refusal to cease commercial activity on the property and non-payment of a fine the town had levied.

Though Todd Pezzementi operates commercial activities related to Northern Tree Services on the residential-zoned property, the property is actually owned by his father Dominic. Next door neighbor Marge Fonseca has complained over the past two years that the activity on the property had become a nuisance.

The town ruled that Pezzementi needed to cease commercial activities and also fined him, but he has yet to comply. At one point Todd Pezzementi had been arrested for alleged “criminal mischief” against the Fonsecas, but the case was thrown out due to an evidentiary error by the District Attorney’s Office.

The newspaper has yet to confirm what charges Dominic Pezzementi might face, how long he spent in jail and what his bail was set at. Numerous sources, however, have confirmed the fact he was indeed sent to jail by Judge Phillips.

DA REPORT:

BURGLARY & PETIT LARCENY
Tammy Angel, residing at 620 Manning Boulevard, Albany, NY, was indicted on March 2, 2015 by a Rockland County Grand Jury for the crimes of burglary in the second degree and petit larceny. District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe stated that on or about July 25, 2014 at approximately 10:30 a.m., the defendant was employed as the building manager at a local Senior Housing when she was found in the bedroom of a resident while the resident was not home, without permission and unaccompanied by a second employee. Upon the resident returning, $385 was found missing.

ROBBERY & CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF STOLEN PROPERTY
Dilone Castillo, age 19, residing at 135 Maple Avenue, Haverstraw, NY, was indicted on February 27, 2015 by a Rockland County Grand Jury for the crimes of robbery in the second degree and criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree. District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe stated that on or about September 2, 2014 at approximately 1:30 a.m., the defendant and several other males, beat up and assaulted a Haverstraw resident who was walking home from a friends house. The victim was cutting through the parking lot of St. Peters School in Haverstraw when he was attacked. In the course of the beating both his cell phone and baseball type hat were stolen from him. A third party who had witnessed the event called the police.  Based upon information put over the police radio responding police officers stopped a vehicle in which the defendant was a passenger a short distance from the crime scene. The defendant was identified by the victim and was found to be in possession of the victims cell phone. He was arraigned before the Hon. John Grant of the Town of Haverstraw Justice Court. He was held in lieu of $5,000 bail pending future court appearances.

CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE & CRIMINALLY USING DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

Roharil Cruz, age 27, residing at 50 Lenox Avenue, Congers, NY, was indicted on February 25, 2015 by a Rockland County Grand Jury for the crimes of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third and fourth degree and criminally using drug paraphernalia in the second degree. District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe stated that on or about February 13, 2015 at approximately 2 p.m., a search warrant was executed by the Clarkstown Police Department at the defendant’s residence.  The defendant was found to be in possession of approximately a 1/8 ounce of cocaine, scales and zip lock baggies.

DWI, AUO & CIRCUMVENTION OF INTERLOCK DEVICE
Franklin Espinoza, age 32, residing at 10 Crikki Lane, Nanuet, NY, was indicted on March 2, 2015 by a Rockland County Grand Jury for the crimes of driving while intoxicated as a felony, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree and circumvention of interlock device. District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe stated that on or about June 15, 2014, the defendant was stopped driving in an erratic manner and issued various vehicle and traffic violations. Upon approaching the vehicle the officer observed the defendant to be in an intoxicated condition as evinced by the odor an alcoholic beverage, glassy eyes and impaired motor coordination. The defendant’s vehicle was supposed to be equipped with an ignition interlock devise due to a previous DWI in 2008.

ASSAULT & CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF A WEAPON
Gregory Joseph, age 33, residing at 500 East Funston Avenue, Spring Valley, NY, was indicted on February 27, 2015 by a Rockland County Grand Jury for the crimes of assault in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe stated that on or about November 17, 2014 at approximately 4:30 p.m., the defendant struck the victim with a chain link bike lock after the victim refused to give the defendant a dollar. The victim suffered a laceration to the face, bruising and soreness to the left arm and left rib area.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF & RESISTING ARREST
Andy Ortiz, age 17, residing at 60 Broad Street, was indicted on March 2, 2015 by a Rockland County Grand Jury for the crimes of criminal mischief in the third degree, obstruction governmental administration in the second Degree and resisting arrest. District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe stated that on or about November 2, 2014 at approximately 4:51 a.m., the officers responded to a call at Ortiz’s home and found him walking down the street. After disobeying several commands to stop and speak with officers, Ortiz was arrested. After he was placed in the back of a police squad car, he repeatedly kicked the window of the vehicle, causing some of the glass to break and the frame to become dislodged.

ROCKLAND COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE:

DWI
Julio Acosta-Guaitara, age 37, residing in Haverstraw, NY, was arrested on February 28, 2015 for DWI and disorderly conduct. A Sheriff Patrol Officer observed the above subject operating a motor vehicle on Rt. 45 in an erratic manner. The subject was found to be intoxicated and was arrested. The subject was processed at Sheriff HQ in New City and released on summonses to return to Ramapo Justice Court.

FAILURE TO RESPOND TO FAMILY COURT
Carlos Mazariego, age 41, residing in Tappan, NY, was arrested on February 27, 2015 on an outstanding Family Court warrant issued on May 9, 2014 by Rockland County Family Court Judge Warren for failure to respond to Family Court for arrears in excess of $3,019.38, which is owed to the private petitioner. The subject was arraigned by the Honorable Judge Warren of the Rockland County Family Court and was remanded to the Rockland County Correctional Facility.

FAILURE TO RESPOND TO FAMILY COURT
Juan Bermeo, age 42, residing in Spring Valley, NY, was arrested on an outstanding Family Court warrant issued on October 31, 2014 by Rockland County Family Court Judge Eisenpress for failure to respond to Family Court for arrears in excess of $7,700, which is owed to the private petitioner. The subject was arraigned by the Honorable Judge Warren of the Rockland County Family Court and was released with a return court date of March 12, 2015 at 10 a.m.

GRAND LARCENY
Pedro Ramos, age 55, residing in Fort Lee, NJ, was arrested on February 14, on a warrant out of Rockland County Court for grand larceny. The subject was extradited from Bergen County, NJ and transported to Rockland County Jail by detectives from the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office. The subject was lodged awaiting arraignment in Rockland County Court on a future date.

Justin Headley

Justin Headley, 28, was spotted bagging clothing at H&M and leaving without paying for the merchandise. When confronted by two store employees who attempted to stop him, Headley allegedly became embroiled in a physical struggle. During the fight, one of the store employees reportedly broke his finger.

In spite of the injury, Headley was held until Clarkstown Police could respond. He was subsequently arrested and slapped with charges of felony robbery in the second degree, felony assault in the second degree, and misdemeanors with included petty larceny, possession of burglary tools and criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree.

Headley was remanded to the custody of the Rockland County Jail on $50,000 bail. He is expected back in court on March 11.

Headley’s arrest is the second instance of a serious incident during what turned out to be a busy week end for Clarkstown Police at the mall. On Thursday afternoon, Monika Taylor, 42, of Haskell, New Jersey, jumped to her death from the fourth floor by AMC Theaters. Clarkstown Police have stated that a preliminary investigation has led them to believe the death was a suicide.

SPRING VALLEY – A 17-year old student at Spring Valley High School was stabbed multiple times following an altercation with another 16-year old student on Tuesday morning, sustaining serious but non-life threatening injuries.

The incident began shortly before 8:45 a.m. when the two students-who reportedly knew each other and had prior history of conflict-entered into an argument. At the height of the conflict, the suspect repeatedly stabbed the victim, inflicting multiple wounds to his schoolmate’s arm, back, shoulder and side before the victim managed to run outside and the suspect fled.

After the school was placed on lockdown, police with the Spring Valley Police Department and the County Sheriff’s Office were called to the scene to secure the premises and gathered evidence for a forensic investigation. Examination of the school grounds continued well into the afternoon.

Meanwhile, the victim was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. After he identified his alleged attacker by name, the other student was arrested at his Spring Valley home later that morning. He will likely face charges for felony assault. [Update--the accused attacker was charged with attempted murder]

Another altercation was also reported to have occurred between the alleged assailant and a friend of the victim. No injuries were reported as a consequence of that conflict and no charges have been levied.

ROCKLAND COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

DWI
Andy Vasquez-Sanchez, age 25, residing in Spring Valley, NY, was arrested on March 7, 2015 for driving white intoxicated. A Sheriff patrol officer observed the above subject operating a motor vehicle on Rt. 45 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 Ramapo Justice Court.

 
BAIL JUMPING
Edgar Roque-lopez, age 24, homeless, was arrested on March 5, 2015 for bail jumping in the second degree. The subject was arrested and processed by detectives of the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office then lodged in Rockland county Jail awaiting arraignment in Rockland County Court.

 
CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF STOLEN PROPERTY
Falynn Aslan, age 27, residing in Fort Walton Beach, FL, was arrested on March 6, 2015 for criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree on an outstanding felony bench warrant issued on November 24, 2014 by Rockland County, County Court Judge Charles Apotheker. The subject was located, arrested in Fort Walton Beach, FL and extradited back to New York by Rockland County Sheriff’s Office Detectives. The subject is being held at the Rockland County Jail awaiting future court appearances.

 
DWI
Laquazsha Wise, age 23, residing in Garnerville, NY, was arrested on March 13, 2015 for aggravated DWI. A sheriff patrol officer observed the subject operating a motor vehicle on Rt. 59 with an equipment violation. 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.

ORANGETOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT:

DWI
On March 7, 2015 at 4:11 a.m., Orangetown police officers observed James M. Tangredi, age 25, of Upper Nyack, NY, operating a 1994 Jeep on South Midland Avenue in Nyack. Mr. Tangredi had glassy eyes, slurred speech and poor motor skills and he failed field sobriety tests. Mr. Tangredi was arrested and taken to Orangetown Police Headquarters where he failed a chemical breath test. He was charged with DWI as a misdemeanor and released to a family member pending an appearance in Nyack Court on April 28, 2015.

DWI
On March 7, 2015 at 4:13 a.m., Orangetown police officers observed Marc E. Diaz, age 23, of Stony Point, NY, operating a 2008 Dodge erratically on North Middletown Road in Pearl River. Officers noticed that Mr. Diaz had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath and slurred speech. Mr. Diaz failed field sobriety checks and was arrested and taken to Orangetown Police Headquarters. Mr. Diaz refused to submit to a chemical breath test to determine his blood alcohol content. Mr. Diaz was charged with DWI as a misdemeanor and is due in Orangetown Court on April 28, 2015.

UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA, CRIMINAL USE OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA
On March 5, 2015 at 7:34 a.m., Orangetown officers arrested Preston E. Santiago, 31, of 154 Depew Ave. Nyack, NY. Mr. Santiago was arrested at the Rockland County Jail on an outstanding arrest warrant from the Nyack Justice Court for criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree (a misdemeanor), criminal use of drug paraphernalia in the second degree (misdemeanor) and unlawful possession of marijuana (violation). Mr. Santiago was arraigned by Nyack Judge Robert Knoebel and remanded back to the RC Jail without bail.

CRIMINAL & UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA
On March 7, 2015 at 9:12 p.m., Orangetown officers arrested Peter Engel, 28, of 147 Grove St. Pearl River, NY. Mr. Engel was a passenger in a vehicle parked on Washington Ave. in Pearl River. Mr. Engel was observed smoking marijuana from a pipe and was also found to be in possession of two additional marijuana pipes containing marijuana. Mr. Engel was charged with criminal possession of marijuana in the fifth degree (a misdemeanor) and unlawful possession of marijuana (a violation). Mr. Engel was released on an appearance ticket and is due in Orangetown Court on March 24, 2015 at 9 a.m.
OFFICE OF THE SHERIFF COUNTY OF ROCKLAND:

CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE WITH INTENT TO SELL
On Monday, March 9, 2015 at approximately 9 a.m., corrections officers performed a search of inmate Bryan Lora, age 24, of New City, NY, and his cell in the Rockland County Correctional Facility. Officers recovered approximately 50 Oxycodone pills from the defendant, who had been hiding the pills in his rectum. During their investigation, the defendant told corrections officers that he had been selling the pills to other inmates. Mr. Lora was turned over to the Sheriff’s Patrol Division to be processed and was arraigned at Clarkstown Justice Court by the Honorable Judge Johns. Mr. Lora was arrested for criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell in the fifth degree (felony), criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree (misdemeanor) and promoting prison contraband in the second degree (misdemeanor). The defendant was remanded to the Rockland County jail with a return court date of March 13.

ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD
On March 12, 2015 at approximately 3 p.m., an on-duty Rockland County Sheriff’s Patrol Sergeant and an off-duty Sheriff’s Patrol Sergeant were approached by five 14- and 15-year-old  boys at 70 N. Main St in New City who said that they had been followed by an older man on Main Street who asked them suspicious questions and offered to buy them alcohol. The suspect was located by Sheriff’s Patrol officers, properly identified as Juan Fernandez, age 35, of New City, NY, and placed under arrest. Fernandez was charged with five counts of endangering the welfare of a child (misdemeanor), five counts of attempted unlawfully dealing with a child in the first degree misdemeanor). Mr. Fernandez was arraigned at Clarkstown Justice Court by Judge Ascher and released with a return court date of March 16, 2015 at 9:30 a.m.

STONY POINT POLICE DEPARTMENT:

CRIMINAL TRESPASS
Taylor Keyser, age 18, residing at 36 Main Street Garnerville, NY, was arrested on March 10, 2015 for criminal trespass in the second degree. The defendant was arrested following an investigation into a complaint of property damaged inside an apartment in Tomkins Cove. The defendant had been legally evicted earlier in the day and returned to retrieve additional property. The investigation is continuing into the property damage and additional charges are possible. The defendant was arrested, processed and released on an appearance ticket, which is returnable on May 5, 2015 at 9 a.m. before Judge Frank Phillips.

CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
Criscelia Moore, age 18, residing at 14 Ewing Road Spring Valley, NY, was arrested on March 10, 2015 for criminal possession of a controlled substance in the second degree. The defendant was arrested following an investigation into a domestic dispute in the parking lot of the Budget Inn Motel Route 9W in Stony Point. The defendant was found in possession of a quantity of crack cocaine. The defendant was arrested, processed and was arraigned before Judge Frank Phillips in Stony Point Justice Court. The defendant was remanded to the Rockland County Correctional Facility in New City with no bail. She has a return court date of March 16, 2015 at 1 p.m. in Stony Point Justice Court before Judge Frank Phillips.

UPPER NYACK – Police are asking Nyack residents and their children to remain vigilant after a possible luring incident in Upper Nyack, the second to occur within a single week.

Clarkstown Police were notified on Thursday after two 12-year-old girls were approached by a man in a red pickup truck at Birchwood Avenue and Route 9W as they were walking home from Nyack Middle School.

The suspect, who was described as a 50 to 60 year old older white man with facial stubble, a plaid shirt and glasses, attempted conversation with the girls, asking, “Hello ladies, isn’t it a beautiful day?” The girls did not respond and immediately ran home to report the incident.

Upon receiving the report, police canvassed the area but could not find the suspect.

Police have stated the man’s description does not match that of the suspect in a separate, more alarming incident in Nyack two days prior. On Wednesday, a white, bald, heavyset man with glasses drove up to a 12-year-old girl while she was walking to school on Midland Avenue and attempted to lure her into a white, four-door sedan.

The suspect on that incident went as far as attempting to physically block her way with the vehicle. The girl managed to escape and make it to her school on foot, where police were notified and opened an investigation.

Police are asking anybody with information on either incident to contact the Clarkstown Detective Bureau at 845-639-5840

Christopher Bermeo

Christopher Bermeo, 16, of Spring Valley, was charged by a grand jury with one count of second-degree attempted murder, a class B felony, one count of first-degree attempted assault, a class C felony and one count of second-degree attempted assault, a class D felony. His bail has been set at $500,000.

Bermeo was arrested at his home shortly after he allegedly stabbed another 17-year-old student with a penknife four times during a verbal argument. The student, whose wounds were deemed non-life threatening, was rushed to the hospital and was released on Wednesday, but re-admitted on Friday due to complications.

Speaking for their client, Bermeo’s attorneys have claimed he was acting in self-defense and in response to persistent bullying, though both Spring Valley police and East Ramapo school officials dispute that claim and argue no record of bullying reports exist involving the two individuals. Bermeo did have a record of relatively minor infractions including cutting class and use of a cell phone on school grounds.

District Attorney Thomas Zugibe assured that the case would be “vigorously prosecuted” and announced that his office plans to try Bermeo as an adult.