PRESS RELEASE FROM SVPD 

Spring Valley PD received a report of a person stabbed at 109 Lake Street in the village on Wednesday afternoon. The report was received at approximately 2:45 p.m. Patrols and detectives responded to the location and found a victim with multiple stab wounds to her body. The victim was a 15-year-old female.

Rockland Paramedic Service and Spring hill Ambulance Corp. responded to the scene and treated the victim. The victim was transported to Westchester Medical where she was treated and in surgery.  The suspect who is known to the victim fled the scene and his whereabouts are unknown at this time.

Anyone with information on this stabbing is urged to contact Detective Freeman at the SVPD 845-356-7400.

FROM DA’S OFFICE

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe this week announced the sentence of Nixon Bourguignon, 38, of 28 Forest Drive, Apartment F, Haverstraw, New York on a charge of murder in the second degree, a class “A” Felony, in the killing of his girlfriend, Shannon Coleman. 

DA REPORT:

CRIMINAL CONTEMPT
Edwin Thezan, age 27, residing at 317 Roosevelt Avenue, Spring Valley, NY, was sentenced on January 27, 2016 before New York State Supreme Court Justice William A. Kelly to an indeterminate term of two to four years in state prison for the crime of criminal contempt in the first degree. District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe stated that on or about December 12, 2014 at 94 North Main Street in Spring Valley, NY, a concerned citizen called the police upon hearing two individuals arguing. Upon arriving at the location a police sergeant observed the defendant subjecting the victim to physical contact in violation of a duly served order of protection that defendant was aware of. The defendant’s trial started on July 28, 2015 and he was later found guilty on August 6, 2015 of criminal contempt in the first degree. The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Janine Kovacs and Assistant District Attorney Nikitas Nicolakis.

VIOLENT BURGLARY
Dillon Ortiz, age 20, residing at 60 Coolidge Street, Haverstraw, NY, was convicted on February 3, 2015 after a jury trial of one count of burglary in the first degree, a class “B” violent felony, and one count of burglary in the second degree, a class “C” violent felony, in connection with a violent residential break in. At approximately 3:30 p.m. on March 12, 2015, Ortiz and two others unlawfully entered a home located at 157 Route 9W in the Village of Haverstraw. They entered through an unlocked door. The defendant entered the home with a small baseball bat concealed in the sleeve of his hooded sweatshirt. The homeowner’s son was home with two friends at the time. Upon entering the living room, one of the suspects began punching the homeowners’ son. Ortiz and the other accomplice began attacking a friend of the son. During the attack, the defendant used the baseball bat to strike the friend in the head several times. Two windows broken during the violence left one of the victims with a deep gash in the left forearm that required treatment at Good Samaritan Hospital. An investigation was initiated by detectives from the Haverstraw Police Department which led them to the defendant. After the verdict, Ortiz was remanded to the Rockland County jail. Sentencing is scheduled for April 5, 2016. The defendant faces a maximum of 25 years in state prison. Senior Assistant District Attorney Patrick Fischer and Assistant District Attorney Stefanie Schera prosecuted this case.

STONY POINT POLICE DEPARTMENT:

GRAND LARCENY, CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF STOLE PROPERTY & MORE
Anthony J. Friendman, age 28, residing at 20 Stanley Road, Garnerville, NY, was arrested on January 9, 2016 for grand larceny in the fourth degree (felony, 2 counts), criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree (felony, 2 counts), false personation, issuing a false written statement and fugitive from justice. The defendant was arrested following an investigation by the Stony Point Police Detective Bureau into the theft of a pocketbook. Investigation revealed that the defendant did steal property consisting of a credit card and numerous other items. The defendant did falsely identify himself during investigation and provided a false written statement. Subsequent to his arrest, it was determined he was a Fugitive from Justice and was wanted on several drug charges, Sale and Possession of Methamphetamine, out of Atlanta, GA. The defendant was arrested, processed and then arraigned in Stony Point Justice Court. He was remanded to the Rockland County Jail where he will face extradition for the charges in Atlanta.

RAMAPO POLICE DEPARTMENT:

FALSE PERSONATION & CRIMINAL IMPERSONATION

On February 10, 2016 at about 6:30 p.m., the Ramapo Police Department responded to a local liquor store after the clerk believed that identification presented by a customer purchasing false personation, criminal impersonation alcohol might be fictitious. Our officer responded, and the ID in fact was valid and proper. Underage people trying to purchase alcoholic beverages in the Town of Ramapo should be warned that our initiatives are working. The Ramapo Police conduct undercover operations with the Rockland County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children in which those who SELL to underage customers are arrested on the spot. In the above case, if the ID was proven to be fraudulent, the customer may have been charged with NYS Alcohol and Beverage Control violations, as well as NYS Penal Law offenses such as false personation, criminal impersonation, and forgery – these include felony charges which could carry a penalty of imprisonment of more than one year in state prison.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT
On February 11, 2016 at about 9 p.m., the Ramapo Police Department responded to a fight involving multiple people and weapons on Greenridge Way in the Village of New Hempstead. On arrival, the officer’s commands to separate were not complied with. One particular participant, a 24-year-old male from New Hempstead, NY, continued to cause a disturbance and was arrested for disorderly conduct. He was brought in to the stationhouse for processing, and was released pending a Ramapo court appearance next month. No weapons were discovered during this incident.

FORGERY, GRAND LARCENY & POSSESSION OF A FORGED INSTRUMENT
On February 11, 2016, Ramapo Police investigated two older cases involving fraudulent check activity. In one case, $17,000 was withdrawn from a customer’s account. In another, a person attempted to cash a check from a local business, but the check was forged. Two arrests were made in conjunction with the first case, and one arrest in the second. Charges include forgery, grand larceny, and possession of a forged instrument.

PETIT LARCENT
On February 12, 2016 at about 5:15 p.m., the Ramapo Police Department responded to a local business where two female patrons loaded their shopping cart with 29 separate containers of powered baby formula and left the store without paying. When approached by store security, one fled on foot, and the other sped away in a vehicle. The stolen product was left at the scene. Officers were unable to locate either party, so they reviewed video and investigated in other ways. By 8:15 p.m., two female suspects were under arrest by Ramapo PD. Both suspects, a 27-year-old from Hubert, North Carolina, and a 33-year-old from Clarkstown, were charged with petit larceny and were arraigned. They must return to Airmont Court in March to answer the charges.

SUSPENDED REGISTRATION
On February 14, 2016 at about 2:40 a.m., a Ramapo Police Officer observed a vehicle following another vehicle too closely on East Eckerson Road. A computer check revealed the vehicle’s registration suspended, and that the driver was operating the vehicle with a suspended driver’s license. The driver was arrested and issued several summonses and released for a future court appearance.

ROCKLAND COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE, POLICE DIVISION:

DWI
Mark McGibbon, age 40, residing in Spring Valley, NY, was arrested on February 5, 2016 for DWI. A Sheriff Patrol Officer observed the above subject operating a motor vehicle on Rt.59, Nanuet 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.

TOWN OF TUXEDO POLICE DEPARTMENT:

BURGLARY, PETIT LARCENY & UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA
On Feb. 1, 2016, Edrick Torres, age 31, of Greenwood Lake, NY, was arrested and charged with burglary in the second degree (a felony), petit larceny and unlawful possession of marijuana, which he had in his possession upon his arrest. The burglary took place on Jan 29, 2016 at 4:31 a.m.. The subject forced open a locked, rear, sliding glass door and entered into a home of an acquaintance. He then stole a “Canary all in one security camera” off of a living room coffee table. Ironically, he was being observed by the home owner, whom was away at the time, via the same type of “Canary” home security camera system. Upon detective David decker’s viewing of the footage and interviewing of the home owner, Detective decker was able to determine who the suspected burglar was. Edrick Torres was arrested by Det. Decker and arraigned before Tuxedo judge Sandy Newman on Feb 1, 2016 and remanded to Orange County jail on $5,000 cash bail.

SPRING VALLEY POLICE DEPARTMENT:

ROBBERY
On Wednesday, February 3, 2016 at about 2:35 p.m., a report was received of a robbery having taken place at 288 North Main Street. Patrols and detectives showed that this was an attempted robbery/purse snatch. A suspect as located and identified at the scene and he was placed under arrest. The suspect is Manuel Tova, a Hispanic male, age 33, residing at 1982 Bethune Boulevard, Spring Valley, NY. The suspect was charged with robbery in the third degree, a felony. He was arraigned in Spring Valley Justice Court and held on bail for a future court appearance.

DWI
On Friday, February 5, 2016, at about 8:05 p.m., the Spring Valley Police Department received a report of an automobile accident and rollover on South Main Street in the area of Singer Ave. Patrols responded to the scene and found that an accident had taken place and the vehicle had left the scene. Patrols followed the debris and located the vehicle about two blocks away on John Street in a driveway. The vehicle was heavily damaged and the operation could not get out of the vehicle. The Spring Valley Fire Department was requested to assist with the extrication and an ambulance was requested to the scene. The suspect/operator was extricated from the vehicle and taken to Good Samaritan Hospital for treatment of injuries. The suspect was arrested and charged with DWI, a felony, for having a previous conviction for DWI and other vehicle and traffic violations. The suspect identified as Max German Goronel-Santander, age 40, residing at 15 East Funston Avenue, Spring Valley, NY. The suspect was issued an appearance ticket for a future court date.

ASSAULT
On Sunday, February 7, 2016, at about 10:50 p.m., the Spring Valley Police received a report of a persona assaulted and possibly stabbed at 90 Bethune Boulevard. Patrols responded and did located a female victim of an assault. The victim had a cut to her hand and was bleeding from the back of her head. The assault took place at a Superbowl party, according to the victim. Rockland Paramedics and Spring Hill Ambulance responded to the scene, the victim refused medical attention. This investigation is ongoing at this time.

STABBING
On Sunday, February 7, 2016, at about 4:56 a.m., the Spring Valley Police received a report of a party stabbed. The police responded to 118 South Main Street and located the victim, a 16-year-old male with a stab wound to his forearm. The subject stated that he was stabbed at a different location believed to be 55 Maple Avenue. The victim was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital. The suspect is a Hispanic male, and the investigation is ongoing at this time.

 SOUTH NYACK-GRAND VIEW POLICE DEPARTMENT:

FORCIBLE TOUCHING
Kurt Ludwigsen, 45, of New Jersey, pleaded guilty last week to seven counts of forcible touching after originally facing more than 200 sex-related charges, including seven felony counts of first-degree coercion and 94 misdemeanor counts each of forcible touching and third-degree sexual abuse. He faces three years probation when sentenced March 29 by state Supreme Court Justice William Kelly at the county courthouse in New City. Ludwigsen, a career softball coach previously investigated for similar complaints in California, was arrested on April 9.

At the time the department began receiving complaints in March, Ludwigsen had been acting inappropriately with 13 players since October, just a month after the college hired him to coach the team. Parents contacted police and the college with their concerns about Ludwigsen, who also has used the name Kurt Vogner. Ludwigsen lived at the time in Ridgewood with his wife and two children, though his wife’s attorney said in April that she had filed for divorce.

Ludwigsen sought to have Kelly dismiss the charges. Six of the softball players have filed a federal lawsuit against Nyack College officials and Ludwigsen on sexual-harassment allegations.

The lawsuit alleges a litany of inappropriate acts committed by Ludwigsen, including forcing some of them to take life counseling sessions with a porno actress. They also accused Ludwigsen of routinely kissing, groping and inappropriately touching them.

ORANGETOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT:

DWI
A 19-year-old male of Pearl River, NY, was arrested on February 6, 2016 at approximately 4:03 a.m. for DWI, a misdemeanor. Orangetown Police responded to a one-car rollover accident where the driver failed an alcohol screening test as well as field sobriety tests. The driver was taken to Nyack Hospital for minor injuries where he submitted to a blood alcohol test. The male was released after being treated and is to appear in the Town of Orangetown Justice Court at a future date.

DWAI
Michael Ubriaco, age 28, of New City, NY, was arrested on February 7, 2016 at approximately 6:26 a.m. for driving while ability impaired/combined alcohol and drugs, a misdemeanor. The defendant was observed with his head slumped over the steering wheel of a 2010 Hyundai while stopped at a traffic light at the intersection of Crooked Hill Road and North Middletown Road. The defendant was unresponsive. Patrol on scene administered Narcan and the defendant instantly became alert. The defendant was placed under arrest and transported to Nyack Hospital for treatment. A drug recognition expert from the Rockland County Sheriff’s Department assisted with the continuing investigation. The defendant provided a blood sample and upon discharge from the hospital was processed at OPD headquarters. The defendant was released to a family member and is due to return in Orangetown Court at a later date.

DWI
Anthony R. Santana, age 28, of Haverstraw, NY, was arrested on February 10, 2016 at approximately 4:39 a.m. for DWI, a misdemeanor. Mr. Santana was observed passed out behind the wheel of a 2000 Volkswagen he was operating. Mr. Santana failed field sobriety tests at the scene and was transported to Orangetown Police headquarters where he failed a breathalyzer test. Mr. Santana is to appear in the Village of Nyack Justice Court on February 23, 2016.

DWI
Valerie M. Popov, age 32, of Tappan, NY, was arrested on February 15, 2016 at approximately 2:45 a.m. for felony DWI and traffic violations. Ms. Popov was observed operating a 2004 Saturn eastbound on Veterans Memorial Drive in excess of the posted speed limit. Ms. Popov was found to be in an intoxicated condition and she failed field sobriety tests. Ms. Popov was transported to police headquarters where she refused to submit to a breathalyzer test. Ms. Popov was charged with felony DWI due to a previous DWI conviction in 2013. She is due in Orangetown Court on March 15, 2016.

CRIMINAL POSSESION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
John F. Hall, age 52, of South Nyack, NY, was arrested on February 13, 2016 at approximately 4:18 a.m. for criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, a misdemeanor. An Orangetown police officer observed Mr. Hall acting in a suspicious manner on High Avenue/North Franklin Street in Nyack. The officer approached Mr. Hall and observed him drop a small packet of alleged crack cocaine from his hand onto the ground. Mr. Hall is due in Nyack Court on February 23, 2016.

SUFFERN POLICE DEPARTMENT:

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY
On February 15, 2016 around 4:50 p.m., Suffern Police Department  was alerted by the NY State Police that a vehicle had pulled into the Sloatsburg rest area on the thruway and the male driver asked for directions to a train station. As the vehicle was pulling away, one of three female passengers quietly said to the gas station attendant who gave the directions, “call the police.” The attendant felt something wasn’t right with the vehicle and called the State Police and advised them about this incident. After, the department was notified that one of their officers on patrol had observed this vehicle on Orange Ave. and stopped it. Upon an investigation, it was determined that the three females had gotten into this man’s vehicle upstate after he offered them a ride to NYC where all the parties in the vehicle resided. The females became suspicious and concerned when they asked the driver to stop and he would not do so. The women were taken by the department to the Suffern train station where transportation back to the city was arranged and the male driver was briefly detained as officers obtained and verified his identification and had the State Police respond as it was their investigation. Upon an investigation by the troopers, there are no criminal charges as of yet, as the intent of the driver is still being determined.

BURGLARY & FALSE PERSONATION
A 30-year-old Pomona woman was arrested on February 13, 2016 on an outstanding warrant for her arrest on a burglary charge. An officer on patrol recognized the woman as having a warrant on her and when he placed her under arrest, she gave him a false name and was additionally charged with false personation. She was sent to the Rockland County Jail on bail.

HARASSMENT
A 53 year-old Suffern male was arrested on February 13, 2016 for harassment following an incident on Crestwood Drive. The suspect had become agitated when a UPS driver did not have his package and he pushed and threatened the driver. He was placed under arrest and released pending a future court date.

SUSPENDED REGISTRATION
Two drivers were charged on February 13, 2016 for operating with suspended registrations on Lafayette Avenue: a 57-year-old Nanuet man and a 51-year-old Monsey man following alerts by License Plate Readers.

KIDNAPPING, CARJACKING, ARMED ROBBERY, AGGRAVATED ASSAULT & POSSESSION OF A WEAPON
On February 12, 2016 at 9:45 p.m., members of the Suffern Police Department, along with the Rockland County SWAT team, conducted a search warrant at 11 Brook St. in the Village of Suffern and arrested Juan Chileseo-Vega, 19, for multiple crimes stemming from a carjacking in Bergen County, NJ in the Village of Ridgewood. Vega was part of a crew that got into a cab in Paterson, NJ around 3 a.m. on Dec. 26 for a ride to Waldwick. Once they got to Ridgewood, they decided to rob and kidnap the driver where they took his money, cell phone and watch. The driver was ordered into the back seat of the car where the suspects held him at gunpoint telling him they were going to kill him. The carjackers eventually took the driver onto the NYS Thruway where they pistol whipped him and stabbed him in the neck, eventually dumping him in Orange County in the Tuxedo area. The driver suffered serious injuries during this incident and the perpetrators fled the area. The Ridgewood Police Department developed information on the suspects and worked with our department over the last week as two of the suspects were believed to live here in Suffern. One of the Suffern suspects was arrested in Mahwah earlier this week and the second was found inside of 11 Brook St. last night by the SWAT team hiding in a closet. We were assisted by the Ridgewood Police as well as the FBI this past week and last night during the raid. The suspect is being held in our police lockup awaiting arraignment as a Fugitive from Justice and will be sent to the Rockland County Jail where he will wait for extradition to New Jersey. The suspect was charged with kidnapping, carjacking, armed robbery, aggravated assault, and possession of a weapon. It is also believed that this suspect was a member of the Central American street gang, the “18th Street Gang.”

BY BILL DEMAREST

HAWTHORNE, N.J. – Two Rockland County men were among five people arrested this week in an investigation of a Christmas Day robbery of a bar, according to police.

Police said Guillermo Carrillo-Iraheta, 18, of Suffern, and Oscar Alvalos-Cortez, 21, of New City, were linked to the armed robbery at RD Benders Tavern as the bartender was getting ready to open on Christmas morning.

The bartender was robbed of his phone, a charger and about $200 from the bar’s cash register, according to Hawthorne police.

A six-week investigation that including police from Hawthorne, Ridgewood, Waldwick, Bergen and Passaic counties prosecutors’ offices, the FBI and New York State Police led to the arrests on Wednesday.

Also arrested were:
– Wilber Jonathan Barahona, 20, of Ridgewood
– Jostin Vidal Reyes, 21, of Waldwick,
-A16-year-old from Waldwick.

They and Carrillo-Iraheta were charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault, weapons possession and theft. Avalos-Cortez was charged with a single count of armed robbery.

Bail was set at $250,000 for Avalos-Cortez and $300,000 for Barahona, Reyes and Carrillo-Iraheta. Avalos-Cortez was ordered held at the Passaic County Jail.

Barahona, Reyes and Carrillo-Iraheta were ordered held in the Bergen County Jail in connection with another investigation by Ridgewood police in connection with an incident involving armed robbery, kidnapping and carjacking.

Originally published by Nyack Free Press

Lentini

BY CAROL MCILMURRAY

NEW CITY- All three counts of robbery in the first and three of the four murder in the second degree charges against Dylan Lentini, a 19-year-old homeless man, have been dropped by Supreme Court Judge William A. Kelly before the case has reached trial.

The charges stem from the Dec. 1, 2015 late night stabbing death of West Nyack resident Michael Wimbert, 66. Lentini still faces one count of murder in the second, a charge that states he committed murder with intent to cause death. In mid-December a grand jury indicted Dylan Lentini on all seven counts after listening to evidence presented by the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office.

Lentini testified at the grand jury hearing, offering his own account of the deadly night, claiming self-defense.

From Lentini’s Facebook page

Arresting officers allege that during the arrest, subsequent ambulance ride and emergency room visit, Lentini stated that, “I may have had to stab someone.” Police report that Lentini said he only knew Michael Wimbert for four days while living in his upstairs apartment. Lentini had been staying in a homeless shelter prior to that time.

According to cops Lentini stated that Wimbert forced him into sexual acts against his will. Lentini claimed he had to protect himself many times during his stay due to Wimbert’s attempted sexual violations.  Lentini specifically claimed that Wimbert sexually violated him by sodomy against Lentini’s will. Police say that Lentini claimed Wimbert forced him to perform oral sex on more than one occasion.

According to the DA, the Dec. 1 incident ended in Lentini wielding a knife and Wimbert lying lifeless in his own second floor West Nyack apartment. Lentini was found a block away on W. Nyack Road after a neighbor saw a man matching his description flee the apartment house screaming, “Call 911! Call the hospital!”

Lentini was found on the dark road with a laceration on his right hand. Clarkstown Police recovered the alleged murder weapon, a carving knife, on Lentini around 2:05 a.m. at the time of his arrest for the fatal stabbing of Wimbert. At Lentini’s request Clarkstown Police transported him to Nyack Hospital where he received 6-7 stitches on his right hand.

Later that day, Clarkstown Justice David Asher remanded Lentini to Rockland County Jail without bail for the killing.

Executive Assistant District Attorney Dominic Crispino stated in court that while the defendant alleges self-defense, it does not justify or explain 24 stab wounds inflicted primarily around Wimbert’s torso and neck.

Lentini remains at the Rockland County Jail and the murder case is expected to go to trial by July 2016.

REPORT FROM CPD 

Kippenberger

The Clarkstown Police Department arrested a 30-year-old female from Cambridge Massachusetts on Thursday for her alleged involvement in an ongoing scam that has been carried out for years across the northeast, originating in the Boston area.

The victims of the scam are offered an opportunity to get a discount on a high end Samsung 65” TV from a Sears store. The suspect poses as a Sears employee and meets the victim in the parking lot of the store. The victim hands over the money and is told to wait at the store merchandise pick up area for the TV, which never comes.

On February 18, 2016 at approximately 6 p.m. the Clarkstown Police Department responded to Sears in Nanuet for a report of fraud. Officers interviewed a loss prevention employee who observed the fraud taking place. The employee, a 35-year-old male from Nanuet, was able to hold the suspect at the scene until officers arrived.

Lindsay Kippenberger, 30, from Cambridge, MA was arrested and transported to police headquarters for processing. The victim, a 59-year-old male from Westwood, NJ stated that he met the suspect in the parking lot of the store and exchanged $2,100 for three Samsung 65” smart screens. He never got the TVs. Kippenberger was charged with criminal possession of stolen property (felony).

She was arraigned in the Clarkstown Justice Court. Bail was set at $10,000 and she was transported to the Rockland County Jail. Her return court date is set for February 22, 2016 at 1:30 p.m.

This scam is being investigated by multiple law enforcement agencies in several states. Anyone having information or who has been a victim is asked to call Det. Michael Novotny of the Clarkstown Detective Bureau at 845-639-5864.

Deleon-Cotto

A Bronx man is accused of attempting to steal a truck trailer that belonged to the East Ramapo School District this past weekend.

On Saturday, February 20 at approximately 10 p.m. the Clarkstown Police Department arrested Jose Deleon-Cotto, 52, after a traffic stop on Middletown Rd. in Nanuet. An officer spotted a truck and trailer exiting a construction area with a mini excavator on the trailer. The trailer gained the officer’s attention because it had no brake lights.

Upon investigation it was determined the trailer had been stolen from the East Ramapo School District. The truck, trailer and excavator were towed to a police facility.

This investigation will continue to determine if the mini excavator being transported on the trailer was also stolen property. The value of the trailer was estimated to be $5,000.

Deleon-Cotto was arrested and transported to police headquarters for processing. He was charged with criminal possession stolen property third (felony), possession of a forged instrument second (felony) and numerous traffic infractions. He was arraigned in Clarkstown Court and held on $15,000 bail.

Old Man Alan Leads the Young Men Astray: Mugs of Salewski, Nielsen, Lodini, Burns

The New York State Police arrested four subjects for possessing cocaine and marijuana during a traffic stop on High Avenue in the Town of Orangetown.

Alan Salewski, 52, of Kingston, Christian Nielsen, 27, of Valley Cottage, Peter Lodini, 24, of Stony Point and Padraig Burns, 24, of Nyack were charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree (intent to sell, possession of over half ounce of narcotics) and criminal possession of marihuana in third degree (intent to sell, possession of over half pound of marihuana).

Note – Marihuana is the correct legal spelling of the plant within the New York State penal system.

NYACK – An 18-year-old Nyack man, who serves as a volunteer wrestling coach, has been arrested on charges that he used social media outlets to lure a juvenile male into criminal sex acts, according to Clarkstown police.

Police said Marcus Stroud of Nyack was arrested on Monday after the parents of the victim reported the incident. The investigation, police said, revealed that Stroud had become acquainted with the victim through a wrestling program.

Stroud, according to police, has been involved in wrestling programs in Rockland, Westchester and Bergen Counties serving as a volunteer coach. The initial social media contact began in December 2015, police said.

Members of the Clarkstown police Juvenile Aid Bureau, who did not reveal the exact age of the victim because of the ongoing investigation, have concerns there may be other victims.

“We ask that parents who have children in programs involving the suspect engage in dialogue with their children to ensure that they have not fallen victim to this kind of crime,” a Clarkstown police spokesman said. “If you have additional information about this case or are aware of a possible victim please call the Clarkstown Juvenile Aid Bureau at 845-639-5835, the Tips Line at 1-877-639-6233 or your local police department.”

Police charge that Stroud lured the victim to engage in sexual acts through the use of Snap Chat and other social media outlets. He was charged with second-degree criminal sexual act, a felony, second-degree sex abuse, misdemeanor, sexual misconduct, a misdemeanor, and endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor.

Stroud was arraigned in Clarkstown Town Court in New City and he was ordered held in the Rockland County Correctional Facility in New City on $100,000 bail pending a hearing this week.

Originally published by Nyack Free Press

DA’S PRESS RELEASE

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe this week announced the arrests of five individuals for allegedly submitting letters falsely stating that community service conditions had been satisfactorily met. The forged documents were presented to the Clarkstown Justice Court claiming to be authored by organizations for which the defendants had ostensibly performed courtorderedcommunity service.

“Community service represents an important obligation for those sentenced to complete it,” said District Attorney Zugibe. “Faking proof of completion is a serious offense, leading to criminal consequences, and in some cases, increased sentences.”

Each of the following defendants has been charged with the crimes of:

• Forgery in the Second Degree, a class “D” Felony

• Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree, a class “D” Felony

Maria Pagliaroli (DOB 12/11/93) of 580 Western Highway, Blauvelt, New York: The defendant had been sentenced to 25 hours of community service on an unrelated matter by Hon. Howard Gerber of the Clarkstown Justice Court. The defendant thereafter submitted a letter to the court, on Tappan Zee High School letterhead, stating she performed 24 hours of community service with the Tappan Zee High School Football Team. An investigation revealed that the supposed signatory of the letter does not work for the Tappan Zee High School Athletic Department. There is no record the defendant completed community service hours with the football team.

Brandi Bourguignon (DOB 04/06/96) of 315 Kennedy Drive, Spring Valley, New York and Keesha Civil (DOB 11/20/96) of 37 Seabring Street, Apt. B, Spring Valley, New York: These individuals were co-defendants in an earlier case, having each been sentenced to 50 hours of community Service by Hon. Craig Johns of the Clarkstown Justice Court. On September 24, 2015, the defendants submitted letters to the court from the Tropical Restaurant and the United Methodist Church of Spring Valley, stating they performed community service hours. The investigation revealed that the supposed signatory of the letter to The Tropical Restaurant does not work for that establishment. Further, the investigation revealed that the letter stating the defendants completed ommunity service work there was not generated by the Church. Neither establishment has any record of the defendants completing community service work.

Stephanie Cumberbatch (DOB 3/10/91) of 24 Broad Street, Haverstraw, New York: The defendant had been sentenced on an unrelated matter to 50 hours of community service by Hon. Howard Gerber of the Clarkstown Justice Court. On September 16, 2015, the defendant submitted a letter to the court stating she performed fifty hours of community service with The Tappan Zee Thrift Shop, Inc. An investigation revealed that the letter was a forgery. There is no record the defendant completing community service hours with The Tappan Zee Thrift Shop, Inc. Shaquille Craddock (DOB 02/12/94) of 10 Durante Court, New Hempstead, New York: The defendant had been sentenced to 25 hours of community service by Hon. Craig Johns of the Clarkstown Justice Court. On September 1, 2015, the defendant submitted a letter to the court, on The Salvation Army letterhead, stating he performed 25 hours of community service with the Spring Valley branch of The Salvation Army. An investigation revealed that the letter was a forgery.

There is no record the defendant having completed community service hours with The Salvation Army.

Each of the defendants have been arraigned. The charges are currently pending in the Clarkstown Justice Court. The defendants were arrested by the detectives with the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Special Investigation Unit.

Executive Assistant District Attorney Richard K. Moran of the Special Investigations Unit and Assistant District Attorney Justin Ames are prosecuting the cases.

Another stabbing in the Valley

Thirty-nine-year-old Tomas Lorenzo-Perez of Spring Valley has been arrested and charged with second degree attempted murder and assault charges after a confrontation with a homeless man left the man with a serious stab wound in the chest.

Police responded to S. Main St. after reports of a man with a knife, chasing and fighting another man around Furman St. The 27-year-old victim was treated and transported to Nyack Hospital for stab wounds to his chest.

Originally published by WRCR.COM

Stony Pointers, if your bank is Sterling National and you used the ATM recently, it might be a good idea to check your bank account and make sure nothing funny has been going on.

On Wednesday, Stony Point PD announced the arrest of a Queens and a Manhattan man on charges related to the placement of a “skimmer” on an ATM machine at the Sterling National Bank on Rt. 9W in Stony Point. Roberto Lombardi, 35, of Queens and Daniele Cassano, 31, of Manhattan, were each charged with criminal mischief in the second degree, grand larceny in the third degree, grand larceny in the fourth degree, identity theft in the third degree, possession of forgery devices, possession of burglar tools and possession of a forged instrument for their alleged role in the crime.

SPPD said that the arrests actually took place on Saturday, February 20. The police first received a report that something might be amiss on Tuesday, February 16. Officers responded to # 153 S. Liberty Dr. (Sterling Bank) with regard to a complaint involving the tampering of an ATM machine at said location.

Responding officers, along with the SPPD Detective Bureau determined that a “skimming device” had been placed at said bank by unknown person(s). Said device was removed and taken as evidence, thus commencing an investigation.

In the early morning hours of February 20, an alert officer observed a male in the wooded area adjacent to the Sterling Bank. The subject was stopped and subsequent to investigation, another subject was found parked in a parking lot adjacent to the bank as well.

Officers observed in plain view what appeared to be skimming devices inside the vehicle. The subjects were taken into custody, a search warrant was obtained for the vehicle and the above listed subjects were arrested and charged, as stated above.

The subjects were arrested, processed, arraigned and remanded to the RC Correctional Facility in lieu of $500,000 bail. The defendants were arraigned under the names they provided, however, an investigation is continuing to verify their actual identities.

The Stony Point Police Department is being assisted with this follow-up investigation by state and federal law enforcement partners. Lombardi was identified as the subject involved in the original case on February 16 in Stony Point and both Lombardi and Cassano have been identified as being involved in two Orangetown cases.

The investigation is continuing and charges are likely to be filed in Orangetown, as well.

The Stony Point Police Department is being assisted by the Rockland County Sheriff’s Department and B.C.I., Rockland County Intelligence Center, the Orangetown and Clarkstown Police Departments, the NYPD Intelligence Bureau, the State Department, Immigration and Customs and the Department of Homeland Security.

BY BARUCH HOROWITZ

The former mayor of Spring Valley is waking up in federal prison this morning after she has surrendered to serve her four-year jail term on charges that she took bribes in a scheme involving a proposed community center in the village.

Noramie Jasmin was mayor of Spring Valley when an FBI operative in Monsey, posing as a developer, promised her $5,000 and a 50 percent stake in a real-estate project in exchange for her vote on the Board of Trustees.

The operative from Monsey was a developer who had pleaded guilty in a fraud case in which he was charged with stealing more than $100 million from Citigroup. He turned into a government informant working for the FBI to win leniency at his sentencing.

Apparently, Jasmin fell for it and demanded money for voting in favor of the $12 million, three-story construction project across the Spring Valley municipal headquarters on Route 45. In addition to the cash, the Ex-mayor also wanted a cut of the revenue generated by the new catering hall project.

Jasmin was convicted in April of mail fraud and extortion, and got four years prison time for misusing her position as mayor in an effort to enrich herself. Her Former Deputy Mayor, Joseph Desmaret, got three years in prison in June. Desmaret was also fooled by the same Monsey developer who was actually working for the FBI when he took a $10,800 bribe involving the same project.

Jasmin was supposed to turn herself in earlier last month, but was granted delays because she had to undergo surgery. Today, she finally surrendered to federal authorities to begin serving her prison term.

Jasmin ran for re-election in 2013 while she was under indictment, but lost the race.

Federal Judge Colleen McMahon said after delivering his verdict that Jasmin violated the trust of her constituents, especially young women seeking a role model. “Imprisonment is absolutely necessary given your enthusiastic participation in this corrupt activity”, said Judge McMahon.

“By abusing her position as mayor for her own personal gain, Noramie Jasmin betrayed the trust the people of Spring Valley put in her. As the conviction and prison sentence today make clear, we do not accept public corruption in New York as the status quo,” said Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara.

The federal corruption investigation led to the conviction of six politicians including former state Sen. Malcolm Smith, who was found guilty of trying to buy his way onto the New York City mayoral ballot.

Besides Jasmin and Smith, former New York City Councilman Daniel Halloran, former Queens Republican leader Vincent Tabone, former Bronx Republican leader Joseph Savino and former deputy mayor in Spring Valley Joseph Desmaret, were convicted or pleaded guilty in the wide-ranging corruption scandal.

Prosecutors had called Jasmin’s crimes “egregious,” saying that Jasmin not only asked for the bribes but wanted to be paid for naming the shell company, using a family member’s name and Social Security number. She also teached Stern and two other phony FBI competitors on how to act and answer questions before the Board of Trustees.

Originally published by www.monsey.com

An arriving passenger at John F. Kennedy International Airport tried to ‘sneak’ past U. S. Customs and Border Protection officers, but was stopped in his tracks.

On February 24, CBP officers stopped Mr. Perez Beltran, a United States citizen, who arrived on a flight from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. During the course of the inspection, CBP officers discovered three pairs of sneakers in his luggage that were unusually heavy. CBP officers probed the sneakers and found a tan powdery substance that tested positive for heroin.

On February 24, CBP officers stopped Mr. Perez Beltran, a United States citizen, who arrived on a flight from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. During the course of the inspection, CBP officers discovered a pair of sneakers in his luggage that appeared heavier than normal. CBP officers probed the sneakers and found a tan powdery substance that tested positive for heroin. Two additional pairs of drug-filled sneakers were discovered in his luggage as well.

Approximately 3 lbs. of heroin was seized, with an estimated street value of $90,000.

“This latest seizure demonstrates the vigilance of our CBP officers, and their excellence in detecting those who would try to smuggle these illegal substances,” said Robert E. Perez, Director, Field Operations New York.

CBP officers placed Mr. Beltran under arrest and turned him over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). He now faces federal narcotics smuggling charges and will be prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the U.S. Eastern District Court of New York.

CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
Eugene Flood, age 54, residing at 31 Schunnemunk Road, Highland Mills, NY, was arrested on February 25, 2016 for criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree. The defendant was arrested after a vehicle and traffic stop revealed he was in possession of numerous pills (Oxycodone and Adderall). The defendant was arrested, processed and released on an appearance ticket returnable on March 15, 2016.


COCAINE
Jeffrey Wilcox, age 21, residing at 215 Walnut Hills, West Haverstraw, NY, was arrested on February 25, 2016 for aggravated unlicensed operation in the third degree and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree. The defendant was arrested after a vehicle and traffic stop revealed he was operating a motor vehicle with a suspended NYS DLIC for failure to pay a summons. Subsequent to arrest the defendant was found to be in possession of 1.0 grams of cocaine. He was arrested, processed and released on several traffic tickets and an appearance ticket returnable in the Stony Point Justice Court on March 17, 2016.

CRIMINAL IMPERSONATION
Gregg Villmann, age 23, residing at 6 Lewis Drive, Stony Point, NY, was arrested on February 23, 2016 for criminal impersonation in the second degree. The defendant was arrested after investigation revealed he was wanted on an active Bench Warrant out of the Town of Clarkstown. He was arrested, processed and turned over to the Clarkstown Police Department to answer said charge.

CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
Joseph Naclerio, age 33, residing at 6 Lake Road, Stony Point, NY, was arrested on February 28, 2016 for criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree and numerous traffic offenses. The defendant was arrested after a vehicle and traffic stop revealed he was in possession of numerous pills (Oxycodone and Clonazepam). The defendant was arrested, processed and released on an appearance ticket returnable March 17, 2016.

CRIMINAL CONTEMPT
Evans Whittaker, age 27, residing at 120 Dekruf Place, Apt. 1E., Bronx, NY, was arrested on February 29, 2016 for criminal contempt in the second degree. The defendant was arrested after a vehicle and traffic stop revealed he was wanted on an active Bench Warrant for failing to appear on above stated charge. He was arrested, processed and turned over to the Town of Haverstraw Police Department to answer said charge.

BY BILL DEMAREST

NYACK – As Orangetown police officers were dealing with an emotionally disturbed youth at the Nyack Plaza apartments on Saturday, someone in a group of bystanders who gathered at the complex intentionally damaged a tire on a town police car.

Police said the youth was safely brought under control and was taken for treatment at a medical facility.

Police were called to Nyack Plaza at about 2:20 p.m. on Saturday, when a violent, emotionally disturbed youth had smashed a television, ransacked his room and threatened to jump out a window. Police said town officers were able to get the youth under control, but a group of about 15 bystanders had gathered around the police officers who went to the complex.

As town officers were dealing with the situation with the troubled youth, police said someone punctured a tire on a town police car with a sharp object.

“Besides the intentional damage to the vehicle, this action had the potential to prevent the officer from responding to his next call,” police said in a statement.

Orangetown police ask that anyone who has information about the damage to the police car call them at 854-359-2121.
Originally published by Nyack Free Press

NYACK – Two Nyack men have been charged with robbery for forcibly stealing numerous packs of cigarettes from a Nyack convenience store, according to Orangetown police.

Police said Andy Tassy, 43, and Laron Musgrove, 32, both of Nyack, were arrested at 4:54 a.m. today, charged with second-degree robbery, a felony, and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, a misdemeanor.

The men, police said, used force when they stole the cigarettes at a Nyack store.

Tassy and Musgrove were arrested and taken to Orangetown Police Headquarters in Orangeburg and were later arraigned in Nyack Village Court. They were each ordered held in the Rockland County Correctional Facility in New City on $10,000 bail pending a village court hearing.
Nyack Free Press