PSA from CPD

The Clarkstown Police Department reports a rash of larcenies from motor vehicles in their town. Since mid May, numerous larcenies have occurred in residential areas of Congers, Valley Cottage, Bardonia, West Nyack, Nanuet and New City. Unsecured vehicles have been targeted with proceeds to include loose change, small electronic items, and briefcase/duffle bags.

The Clarkstown Police Department is urging resident to follow some simple crime prevention habits: keep all vehicle doors locked, windows closed, and don’t leave personal items in plain view.

If you are a victim of a larceny report the incident immediately to the police department. Do not touch or disturb anything and wait for the police to arrive.

The Clarkstown Police Department is urging residents to immediately report without delay any suspicious vehicles and or persons in their neighborhood. Anyone with information regarding these larcenies is encouraged to contact the Clarkstown Police Department at 845-639-5800 or the TIPS line at 1-877-639-6233.

Cheryl Vespry, 45, of 721 N. Liberty Dr. in Tomkins Cove is accused by the Stony Point Police Department of refusing a breath test, DWI and several traffic violations.

On May 25, 2013 the Stony Point Police Department arrested the above individual on the above listed charges. Stony Point Police arrested the defendant after investigation into an auto accident on North Liberty Dr. involving injuries.

The defendant is due in court July 16.

Michael E. LaFrancois, 23, of 36 Peck St. in West Haverstraw has been charged by the Stony Point Police Department with DWI, unlawfully fleeing police, reckless driving and several other traffic violations for an alleged night of bad decisions on May 28.

On May 28 SPD arrested the above LaFrancois after attempting to stop him for a vehicle and traffic violation. Police said, subsequent to a vehicle stop, the defendant fled into the Village of West Haverstraw after failing to yield to the officers’ attempt to stop him utilizing red lights and a siren. Police said the officer was able to stop the defendant’s vehicle after he was involved in a motor vehicle accident involving a tree on Zarriello Lane.

The defendant was arrested, transported to the Nyack Emergency room for treatment of minor injuries. He was then transported to the StonyPoint Police Department for processing. He was arraigned and later released on numerous traffic

tickets after posting $1,500.00 bail.

The Stony Point Police Department was assisted by the Town of Haverstraw Police Department and the Rockland County Sheriff’s Patrol Division.

Ralph Cadet

Tyrell Francis

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe today announced that Ralph Cadet (DOB 12/21/70) of 39 Greenridge Way, New Hempstead, New York and Tyrell Francis (DOB 06/16/86) of 39 Greenridge Way, New Hempstead, New York pled guilty to:

One count of Prohibited Animal Fighting, a class “E” Felony

Cadet and Francis staged a dogfight for the purpose of entertainment inside their home.

The animal abuse occurred between January, 2012 and April, 2012 inside 39 Greenridge Way. Search warrants executed at the address led detectives to nine Pit Bull terriers and other evidence of dogfighting, including a length of rope used to strengthen a dog’s jaw muscles. At least one dogfight was captured on cell phone video.

The defendants face a maximum sentence of one year in the Rockland County jail when sentenced on September 17, 2013 before the Honorable William K. Nelson.

As part of the plea agreement, Cadet and Francis have agreed to relinquish ownership of the rescued dogs and register as animal abusers under Rockland County law, which outlaws the purchase of animals for up to four years.

The dogs, found roaming the house from cages, ranged in age from seven-month-old puppies to three years and were in varying stages of health. At least one of the animals had scars on her front leg and face.

The investigation was conducted by the Rockland County Drug Task Force, the Hudson Valley Humane Society and the Special Investigations Unit of the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office.

The defendants were previously indicted in an ongoing narcotics investigation, during which the animal abuse was uncovered.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Robert Trudell and Executive Assistant District Attorney Gary Lee Heavner.

Narcotics Arrests Jan – May 2013

The Clarkstown Police Department is releasing the names of persons arrested by the Department’s Anti-Crime Unit; these arrests were made during the period of January 2013 and May 2013.  Due to the nature of narcotics investigations and on-going drug interdiction enforcement activity, the release of more specific information regarding these arrests will not be made available for press release as it may compromise current investigations and officer safety.

Arrested: 01/02/13
Offender: Craig Heller
Age: 40
Charge: 1 count CSCP 3rd Degree, 1 count CPCS 3rd degree
Drug: Heroin
Address: New City

Arrested: 01/10/13
Offender: Brian Clifford
Age: 21
Charge: 2 counts CSCP 3rd Degree, 2 counts CPCS 3rd degree
Drug: Oxycodone
Address: Congers

Arrested: 01/22/13
Offender: John Helmke
Age: 20
Charge: 1 count CSM 4th Degree
Drug: Marijuana
Address: Nanuet

Arrested: 01/29/13
Offender: Kristopher Ferrer
Age:21
Charge: 1 count CSCP 5th Degree, 1 count CPCS 5th degree
Drug: Xanax
Address: New City

Arrested: 01/30/13
Offender: Nicholas Diana
Age: 20
Charge: 2 counts CSCP 3rd Degree, 2 counts CPCS 3rd degree
Drug: Cocaine
Address: West Nyack

Arrested: 01/31/13
Offender: Ishmael White
Age: 28
Charge: 2 counts CSCP 3rd Degree, 2 counts CPCS 3rd degree
Drug: Cocaine
Address: Haverstraw

Arrested: 02/09/13
Offender: Mark St. Vil
Age: 18
Charge: j2 counts CSCP 3rd Degree, 2 counts CPCS 3rd degree
Drug: Cocaine
Address: New City

Arrested: 04/16/13
Offender: Rasheed Jerimie
Age: 38
Charge: 3 counts CSCP 3rd Degree, 3 counts CPCS 3rd degree
Drug: Cocaine
Address: Chestnut Ridge

Arrested: 04/16/13
Offender: Neil Tash
Age: 27
Charge: 3 counts CSCP 3rd Degree, 3 counts CPCS 3rd degree
Drug: Cocaine
Address: Spring Valley

Arrested: 04/17/13
Offender: Guy Corriolant
Age: 31
Charge: 1 count CSCP 3rd Degree, 1 count CPCS 3rd degree
Drug: Cocaine
Address: New City

Arrested: 04/22/13
Offender: Richard Mapp
Age: 27
Charge: 2 counts CSCP 3rd Degree, 2 counts CPCS 3rd degree
Drug: Cocaine
Address: New City

Arrested: 05/24/13
Offender: Jashaad Gulifield
Age: 30
Charge: 1 count CSCP 3rd Degree, 1 count CPCS 3rd degree
Drug: Oxycodone
Address: Central Nyack

CSCP = Criminal sale of controlled substance; 3^rd degree B felony, 4^th degree C felony, 5^th degree D felony 

CPCS = Criminal possession of controlled substance; 3^rd degree B felony, 4^th degree C felony, 5^th degree D felony

CSM = Criminal sale of marijuana 4^th A Misdemeanor

BY MICHAEL RICONDA

Police are now hunting for a man who may be responsible for a killing at a Hillcrest birthday party which left Riccardo Barrett, 22, dead.

Otha Williams, person of interest in Hillcrest stabbing

According to police, 20-year-old Otha Williams from the Bronx Williams is currently being sought as a person-of-interest. Williams is still believed to be in the Spring Valley-Hillcrest area.

Though he has not been named as a suspect, Williams matches the physical description of a man who allegedly pulled a gun during a verbal altercation outside the party and threatened multiple people. Police explained Williams was staying at his friends’ house across the street.

The murder occurred when Barrett was walking by the party with his girlfriend and attempted to diffuse a verbal altercation between the shooter and others. Though initial reports indicated a gun was drawn by the suspect, who threatened Barrett before shooting him, a medical examiner report revealed he was stabbed instead.

“The Rockland County Medical Examiner has determined that the cause of death in this homicide is due to a stab wound to the chest,” Captain Brad Wiedel of the Ramapo Police Department explained.

Barrett was treated at the scene by emergency medical personnel before being brought to Good Samaritan Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Police with the county’s Rescue Entry and Counter Terrorism Team were called in on a report that Williams ran back inside his friends’ house after the incident. Though they did not apprehend Williams, they did bring another man in for questioning.

Police also questioned more than a dozen witnesses. Information on the case may be provided by calling the Ramapo Police Department at 845-357-2400.

At about 9:30 p.m. on Monday, June 10 Otha ‘Lee” Williams, 20, of the Bronx, NY was picked up by Ramapo detectives at the 48^th pct NYPD, where he had turned himself in.

Williams is charged with menacing 2^nd charges,related to his actions on June 9 on Hickory Street. Williams is being processed  in Ramapo.

Police said Williams is not the homicide suspect in the case where 22-year-old Riccardo Barrett was killed at a Hillcrest birthday party, but he is an associate of the suspect.

Williams matches the physical description of a man who allegedly pulled a gun during a verbal altercation outside the party and threatened multiple people. Police explained Williams was staying at his friends’ house across the street.

Otha Williams, charged with menacing. No murder charges have been filed in the stabbing death of Riccardo Barrett, 22, as yet

The murder occurred when Barrett was walking by the party with his girlfriend and attempted to diffuse a verbal altercation between the shooter and others. Though initial reports indicated a gun was drawn by the suspect, who threatened Barrett before shooting him, a medical examiner report revealed he was stabbed instead.

“The Rockland County Medical Examiner has determined that the cause of death in this homicide is due to a stab wound to the chest,” Captain Brad Wiedel of the Ramapo Police Department explained.

Barrett was treated at the scene by emergency medical personnel before being brought to Good Samaritan Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Police with the county’s Rescue Entry and Counter Terrorism Team were called in on a report that Williams ran back inside his friends’ house after the incident. Though they did not apprehend Williams, they did bring another man in for questioning.

Police also questioned more than a dozen witnesses. Information on the case may be provided by calling the Ramapo Police Department at 845-357-2400.

On June 5 shortly after 7 p.m. the Clarkstown Police Department responded to New City Condominiums for a report of a robbery involving a box cutter.

The victim, 17, reports that he was walking on the north side of the complex when he was approached by the suspect who demanded cash and displayed a box cutter. The victim was relinquished of his cash and the suspect fled on foot. The victim and suspect were acquaintances and the victim was able to provide a name and physical description of the suspect.

After a brief search of the area, the suspect was located and arrested. The suspect was transported to Clarkstown Police Headquarters where he was charged with robbery 1st, strangulation 2nd, both felonies, criminal possession of a weapon 4th, and menacing 2nd, both misdemeanors.

The suspect, 14, was charged as an adult and arraigned in Clarkstown Justice Court as a Juvenile Offender before Judge Johns. He was released without bail to the custody of his mother pending his next court appearance.

BY MICHAEL RICONDA

New City – The recently-released report for the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office’s 2012 year revealed the office oversaw significantly higher conviction rates over the course of last year, among other figures.

The conviction rate was announced to be 95.5 percent, with 574 convictions in Rockland County Court creating a slight 0.87 percent increase in conviction numbers overall.

The District Attorney achieved 24 verdicts in criminal trials and placed as the highest in percentage of jury verdicts and lowest in dismissal rate among all counties in the Lower Hudson Valley. In addition, 601 felony cases were filed, representing a drop of 5.7 percent over the course of 2011.

The report also announced the most recent figures in other specialized areas of the DA’s office. The two-year old Special Victims Center in Suffern reported serving 82 child victims and 73 adult victims, with 13 videotaped recordings of childrens’ testimony produced for Grand Jury and the total number of sex offenders increasing to 24. Cases referred to the facility jumped 20 percent since 2011.

In addition, the Special Investigations Unit netted significant sums as a result of various prosecutions and initiatives. Restitution from crooked home improvement contractors totaled $50,000, benefit overpayment recoveries totaled $322,793 and recoveries from individuals involved with wage crimes, tax fraud, and asset forfeiture for New York State’s Crimes Against Revenue Program (CARP) totaled $1,557,991.55.

The county’s Drug Task Force saw significant activity in 2012. The Drug Task Force conducted 251 undercover drug purchases, over 200 investigations, received 55 leads, and executed 29 operational events netting 96 arrests for possession and distribution of cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and prescription pills.

Meanwhile, the county’s drug courts saw a busy year with the introduction of the Misdemeanor Drug Court in April 2012. Interestingly, the inclusion of drunk driving offenses in drug court resulted in a recidivism rate of nearly zero.

As of 2012, the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office employs 70 personnel with 31 full-time attorneys and 12 investigative staff members with a total operating budget of $12,141,181.

BURGLARY
Ralston Thomas, age 25, homeless, was indicted on June 19, 2013 by a Rockland County Grand Jury for the crime of burglary in the third degree. District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe stated that on or about February 14, 2013 at approximately 9:50 p.m., the defendant unlawfully entered a building located on North Myrtle Avenue, Spring Valley with several other individuals. While inside the building the defendant while acting in concert with the others, stole a laptop computer, a computer monitor, a charity change jar and assorted food items.

DWI
Angel Benitez, age 48, residing at 97 Quentin Road, Brooklyn, NY, was indicted on June 19, 2013 by a Rockland County Grand Jury for the crimes of aggravated driving while intoxicated, as a felony and driving while intoxicated as a felony. District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe stated that on or about November 29, 2012 at approximately 4 a.m., the defendant was stopped for various vehicle and traffic violations. The officer observed the defendant to be in an intoxicated condition. The defendant had slurred speech, glassy eyes and an odor of alcoholic beverage. The defendant failed various sobriety tests and his blood alcohol content was .20%.

GRAND LARNCEY, CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF STOLEN PROPERTY & MORE
Miguel Santiago Calderon, age 27, residing at 280 Summer Avenue, Newark, NJ, and Jahira Martinez, age 20, residing at 280 Summer Avenue, Newark, NJ, were indicted on June 19, 2013 by a Rockland County Grand Jury for the crimes of grand larceny in the fourth degree, criminal possession of stolen property in and criminal possession of an anti-security item. District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe stated that on or about January 4, 2013 at approximately 3:20 p.m., the defendants entered Victoria’s Secret in the Palisades Park Mall and placed selected merchandise in a shopping bag. The defendants were apprehended after exiting the store. The shopping bags were found to have booster bags within which concealed the stolen merchandise. The total value of the stolen merchandise totaled $2,165.59.

BURGARLY, CRIMINAL MISCHIEF & PETIT LARCENY
Christopher Hoy, age 43, residing at 1 Willow Drive, Nanuet, NY, was indicted on June 19, 2013 by a Rockland County Grand Jury for the crimes of burglary in the second degree, criminal mischief in the fourth degree and petit larceny. District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe stated that on or about June 3, 2013 at approximately 3:25 p.m., the defendant was observed by a witness exiting a residence with property, which did not belong to the defendant. The Clarkstown Police Department was called and the investigation revealed that he defendant broke a backdoor window and stole a TV, a jewelry box, an Apple iPad and a Dell computer.

GRAND LARCENY
Jennifer Lopez, age 19, residing at 225 West 232 St., Bronx, NY, and Fraciellis Lopez-Cedeno, age 29, residing at 225 West 232, Bronx, NY, were indicted on June 14, 2013 by a Rockland County Grand Jury for the crimes of grand larceny in the fourth degree. District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe stated that on or about November 13, 2012 at approximately 12:30 p.m., the defendants were observed by the Lord and Taylor loss prevention officer selecting merchandise and placing it into shopping bags. The defendants later exited the store with the merchandise without paying. The items were recovered, the value of the stolen items were over $2,000.

ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD
Victor Marryshow, age 49, residing at 1 Foxhill Road, Chestnut Ridge, NY, was indicted on June 19, 2013 by a Rockland County Grand Jury for the crimes of predatory sexual assault against a child, course of sexual conduct against a child in the first degree and endangering the welfare of a child. District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe stated that on or about and between October 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013, the defendant engaged in sexual conduct with then a 10-year-old victim.

GRAND LARCENY & CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF STOLEN PROPERTY
Heidi Quinn, age 49, residing at 8 Quaker Road, Pomona, NY, was indicted on June 14, 2013 by a Rockland County Grand Jury for the crimes of grand larceny in the fourth degree and criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree. District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe stated that on or about November 23, 2012 at approximately 10:50 a.m., the defendant was observed by the Lord and Taylor Loss prevention officer selecting numerous articles of clothing and accessories from the store display and place them in a shopping bag. The defendant exited the store without paying and was later stopped outside the store. The items were recovered, the value of the stolen items were $1,599.48.

ROBBERY
On Friday, June 15, 2013 shortly after 10:30 PM three victims were walking along Old Haverstraw Road, Congers when they were robbed at knife point by two men.  The two men ran up behind the victims, one suspect pushed victim # 1 to the ground, the second suspect displayed a knife.  The suspects demanded that the victims empty their pockets.  Proceeds from the robbery consisted of a cell phone. When victim #1 fell to the ground he sustained a laceration to his leg which required medical treatment at Nyack Hospital.  Victim #2 and #3 were uninjured . A victim recognized one of the suspects and provided police with a name and physical description.  After a brief search of the area, the suspect was located and arrested.  He was identified as Joseph Ramirez-Apuzzo, 19, from Congers, NY.  Ramirez-Apuzzo was charged with robbery 1st and assault 2nd, both felonies, and criminal possession of a weapon and petit larceny, both misdemeanors.  Ramirez-Apuzzo was arraigned in Clarkstown Justice Court before Judge Gerber and remanded to the Rockland County Correctional Facility in lieu of $15,000 bail.  He was due back in court on June 17, 2013. The continued investigation led to the arrest on June 17, 2013 of Max Peligri, 18, from Congers, NY.   Peligri was charged with robbery 1st and assault 2nd, both felonies.  He was arraigned in Clarkstown Justice Court before Judge Thorsen and remanded to the Rockland County Correctional Facility in lieu of $1,000 bail.  He is due back in court on June 19, 2013.

FALCO

When the Town of Ramapo made the unusual move of publicly announcing that they’d recouped from organizers $7K+ in overtime fees for a May 9 event at Provident Bank Park, the Rockland County Times asked for the record of other overtime expenses to see if police were paid back regularly by private event organizers. Unfortunately, the Supervisor St. Lawrence administration said no such records exist.

While police sources told the newspaper the town was fibbing, not all authorities keep the truth from the public. Sheriff Lou Falco said his office makes sure to bill any overtime for private events to the private entity holding the event and welcomes any newspaper to FOIL the information.

Early in 2013 the wedding of a grand rebbe’s daughter at RCC cost $12,621 in Sheriff’s overtime, which Falco said he made sure to have paid in full by the wedding’s organizers and for which he has paperwork to account “for each and every penny.”

Falco said Rocklanders have been worried that taxpayers paid for the Grand Rebbe’s event. “People are accusing me of catering to the Hasidic community, which I don’t,” Falco said. “If they break the law, the law is enforced just the same as anyone else.”

He noted other events in Rockland that police charged overtime costs to private entities for include movie shoots and last year’s Maccabi Games.

Organizers at the Grand Rebbe’s wedding didn’t ask permission to put the Rockland Sheriffs emblem on an official “VIP PARKING” pass

While the Sheriff Department has the correct policy, the Rockland County Times believes Ramapo’s inability to account for its overtime practices will set a damaging precedent that paints all police departments with suspicion. The public has no means of learning whether private organizers or taxpayers pay the costs if the government in question will not reply to FOIL requests on the matter.

On June 24, 2013 at approximately 1:20 p.m. the Clarkstown Police Department responded to a call from Fawn Court, West Nyack after a homeowner observed an unknown male party sitting in the driver seat of the homeowner’s vehicle which was parked in the driveway.

The male party ran from the scene while the homeowner provided a physical description of the party to a Clarkstown Police dispatcher. Officers conducted a canvass of the area and located a party matching the description. Jeffrey Konan, 21, West Nyack, NY was placed under arrest and transported to Clarkstown Police Headquarters.

Police said the preliminary investigation revealed that Konan opened the glove box and disturbed the contents to the vehicle which was parked on Fawn Court. The continued investigation led police to the conclusion that Konan had committed several other larcenies from motor vehicles.

Konan was charged as follows: grand larceny fourth and criminal possession of stolen property fourth (both felonies) for a larceny which occurred on June 12, 2013 in New City; petit larceny and criminal possession of stolen property fifth (both misdemeanors) for a larceny which occurred on June 13, 2013 in New City; petit larceny and criminal possession of stolen property fifth (both misdemeanors) for a larceny which occurred on June 11, 2013 in Valley Cottage; and attempted petit larceny and trespass for the incident which took place on Fawn Court, West Nyack.

Konan is awaiting arraignment in Clarkstown Justice Court. Police did not say why Konan’s face looked beat up in his mugshot.

On June 24, 2013 at approximately 3:40 p.m. the Clarkstown Police Department responded to the fourth floor of the Palisades Center Mall for a report of a fight between two parties.

Upon arrival, a uniformed officer attempted to speak with one of the parties involved in the altercation, Rashaun Steward, 27, from Bronx, NY, who the officer said then attempted to push back against him. Steward was placed under arrest and during the struggle, Steward punched the officer in the face causing the officer a facial injury, police say.

Steward was handcuffed and transported to Clarkstown Police Headquarters where he is currently waiting to be arraigned in Clarkstown Justice Court. Steward is being charged with assault second (felony), obstructing governmental administration second, resisting arrest (both misdemeanors) and disorderly conduct (violation).

The officer was treated at Nyack Hospital and released. The second party that was involved in the fight was identified and released without charges.

A police raid took place at 507 Country Club Lane in Pomona Wednesday, police scanners indicated. The condominium is the home of 34-year-old Joshua Warren, son of Rockland Family Court Justice William P. Warren.

It appears that Joshua will be charged with growing and selling marijuana. The newspaper has not gained further details on the charges he faces and if there were other drugs alleged to be present besides marijuana. (Update-Warren also was arrested for possession and intent to sell five ounces of cocaine)

Joshua’s father also also oversees the Rockland County Drug Court.

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe announced that Jashaad Gulifield, 30, of 11 Highview Court, Nyack, New York was sentenced to an indeterminate term in state prison of three to six years on his guilty plea to welfare fraud in the third degree, a class “D” felony, three years in state prison on his guilty plea to criminal sexual assault in the third degree, a class “D” felony and three years in state prison on his guilty plea criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree, a class “D” felony.

Gulifield also received five years and two years post-release supervision on the sexual assault and drug charges, respectively. The sentences are to be served concurrently.

Additionally, the defendant was ordered to pay restitution of $6,015 to the Rockland County Department of Social Services. Between November 2011 and June 2012, the defendant falsified applications submitted to the Rockland County Department of Social Services, making it possible for him to fraudulently receive public assistance, including Medicaid benefits and food stamps. Specifically, Gulifield lied about his residence and income, stating he was unemployed, while, in fact, he was working as a laborer.

On June 9, 2012, in Central Nyack, Gulifield arranged to meet a 16-year-old female. During their encounter, the defendant sexually assaulted the victim in a parked car. On July 26, 2012, at the BP gas station on Route 303 in Congers, the defendant sold Oxycodone to another individual.

Gulifield is a predicate felon identified during a June, 2012 sweep of welfare fraud and other criminality at the Waldron Terrace Housing Complex in Central Nyack. The investigation was conducted jointly by the Special Investigations Unit of the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office and the Town of Clarkstown Police Department. Senior Assistant District Attorney Kristen Conklin, Supervising Assistant District Attorney Dominic Crispino and Assistant District Attorney John McGowan prosecuted the cases.

A shocking incident is alleged to have occurred at the Days Inn in Nanuet last Thursday.

On June 27, 2013 the Clarkstown Police Department filed charged against the hotel’s maintenance worker Hector Ixcopal, 38, accusing him of breaking into a woman’s room at 1:20 a.m. and sexually molesting her against her will. He wasn’t daft enough to lock the door behind him, however, and other guests broke up the incident, restraining Ixcopal until police arrived.

By the looks of his mugshot, someone may have given Ixcopal a little taste of street justice on the side.

Police charged Ixcopal for burglary 2nd, criminal sexual act 1st, sex abuse 1st, all of which are felonies. The accused perp lives in one of the rooms at the same location. The victim recognized Ixcopal as her attacker because she had met him earlier in the day at the hotel. She was transported to Nyack Hospital where she was treated and released.

Ixcopal was arraigned in Clarkstown Justice Court before Judge Gerber and remanded to the Rockland County Correctional Facility in lieu of $20,000 bail. He is due back in court on July 1.

Arrest – Burglary

On July 3, 2013 Andrew Vasquez, 22, from Stony Point, NY was arrested and charged with burglary 3^rd (felony), and petit larceny (misdemeanor) for a burglary that occurred on June 30 at the Hibachi Factory, located on the 4^th floor of the Palisades Center Mall.

The Clarkstown Police Department’s Detective Bureau conducted an investigation and determined that Vasquez entered the Hibachi Factory sometime after midnight, when the business was closed, and stole approximately $300 cash from the office area.

Vasquez is pending arraignment in Clarkstown Justice Court.

On July 6 at approximately 9 p.m., Saida Martin, 22, from Brooklyn, NY was arrested by Clarkstown PD and charged with 24 counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument second (felony) and one count of criminal possession of stolen property third (felony).

Police say Martin attempted to purchase an Apple I pad at the Best Buy store located in the Palisades Mall and presented five different credit cards as the method of payment, all of which were declined. Martin left the store without a successful purchase. Officers located Martin inside of the Apple store also located in the Palisades Mall. During the investigation it was determined that Martin possessed 24 credit cards that were fraudulent.

A search of Martin’s vehicle uncovered proceeds from previous purchases which were all completed in NJ using one fraudulent credit card or another, police say. The merchandise included two Apple I pads, four pairs of shoes, two sets of curtains, and one set of sheets, totaling $5,411.40 in value.

Martin was arraigned in Clarkstown Justice Court before Judge Ugell. She was remanded to the Rockland County Correctional Facility in lieu of $5,000 cash bail.

AUO
John Vasser, age 39, residing at 11 Maple Street, South Nyack, was indicted on July 12, 2013, by a Rockland County Grand Jury for the crime of aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree. District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe stated that on or about December 5, 2012 at approximately 2:30 a.m., a Clarkstown police officer responded to the scene of a cab fare dispute. Further investigation revealed that the defendant was operating a motor vehicle as a cab driver while his privileges to operate a motor vehicle had been suspended on more than ten separate occasions.

FORGERY, GRAND LARCENY, CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF A FORGED INSTRUMENT & MORE
Steve T. Digsby, age 49, residing at 1625 August Road, North Babylon, NY, was indicted on July 12, 2013 by a Rockland County Grand Jury for the crimes of forgery in the second degree (two counts), grand larceny in the fourth degree, (two counts), criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree and criminal impersonation in the second degree. District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe stated that on or about November 3, 2012, the defendant stole a total of $1,970 from the victim’s TD Bank checking account by cashing forged checks. The defendant cashed the first forged check in the sum of $990 at the Stony Point TD Bank Branch and another forged check in the sum of $980 at the Garnerville Branch. The TD Bank reimbursed the total sum to the victim’s account.

TERRORISTIC THREA & AGGRAVATED HARASSMENT
Joseph Laduca, age 56, residing at 14 Parkside Drive, Suffern, NY, was indicted on July 12, 2013 by a Rockland County Grand Jury for the crimes of making a terroristic threat and aggravated harassment in the second degree. District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe stated that on or about June 30, 2013 at approximately 2:15 a.m., the defendant went to the home of a Suffern police officer and left a handwritten note in the officer’s mailbox threatening the Village of Suffern.

AUO OF A MOTOR VEHICLE
Robert Marrero, age 41, residing at 71 South Madison Ave., Spring Valley, NY, was indicted on July 12, 2013 by a Rockland County Grand Jury for the crime of aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree. District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe stated that on or about December 31, 2012 at approximately 4:30 p.m., the defendant was stopped by a Spring Valley Police Officer while driving on North Main Street for vehicle and traffic violations. Further investigation revealed that defendant’s privilege to operate a motor vehicle had been suspended on ten separate occasions.

BURGLARY, ASSAULT & CRIMINAL POSSESSON OF A WEAPN
David Tyson, age 34, residing at 541 Bronx River, Yonkers, NY, was indicted on July 3, 2013 by a Rockland County Grand Jury for the crimes of burglary in the first degree, assault in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree. District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe stated that on or about June 16, 2013 at approximately 2:30 p.m., the defendant unlawfully entered a dwelling located on Broadway in the Village of Haverstraw. While inside the dwelling, the defendant caused physical injury to another individual whom was not a participant in the crime. The defendant threatened the individual with a tire iron.

BURGLARY & PETIT LARCENY
Andrew Vasquez, age 22, residing at 51 S. Libery Drive, Stony Point, NY, was indicted on July 12, 2013 by a Rockland County Grand Jury for the crimes of burglary in the third degree and petit larceny. District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe stated that on or about June 30, 2013, after midnight, the defendant entered the Hillburn Factory Restaurant in the Palisades Center Mall when it was closed. The defendant went into a back office and took approximately $300 off the desk in the office.

INSURANCE FRAUD & GRAND LARCENY
Christopher Angelone, age 41, residing at 14 Crescent Drive, Thiells, NY, was indicted on July 12, 2013 by a Rockland County Grand Jury for the crimes of insurance fraud in the third degree and grand larceny in the third degree. District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe stated that on or about June 28, 2013 at approximately 8 p.m., the defendant intended to defraud an insurer by providing a false identity to a local hospital for services rendered. The defendant received medical attention and medication in the sum of $3,170.15 in which he never paid for.

BURGLARY
Sean Maxwell, age 19, residing at 30 Hurd Avenue, Garnerville, NY, was indicted on July 12, 2013 by a Rockland County Grand Jury for the crime of burglary in the second degree. District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe stated that on April 1, 2013 at about and between 6 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., the defendant entered a dwelling and stole miscellaneous jewelry items and cash, while having no permission or authority to do so.

BURLGARY, STRANGULATION & ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD
Arturo Vicente-Romero, age 54, 12 South Myrtle Avenue, Spring Valley, NY, was indicted on July 12, 2013 by a Rockland County Grand Jury for the crimes of burglary in the second degree, strangulation in the second degree and endangering the welfare of a child. District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe stated that on or about June 27, 2013 at approximately 7:45 p.m., the defendant forced himself thru the victim’s door.  He grabbed and chocked her while demanded money for Chinese food. The victim escaped the defendant’s grasp and told him that she was calling the police and he thereafter left the apartment.