Police News

Stabbing In Brewster

The stabbing and robbery of a 57-year-old Central American man in downtown Brewster by three men is under investigation by members of the Putnam County Sheriff's Department.

The incident happened last Thursday night around 9 o'clock when the victim was walking near Center Street and was accosted by the trio wearing hooded sweatshirts.

Sheriff Donald Smith told the Courier the three men demanded money, and, when the victim refused, they reportedly knocked him to the pavement and stabbed him several times. The suspects took an undisclosed amount of cash before fleeing along Center Street.

The sheriff said that following the attack, the victim managed to walk to his nearby residence where he told friends what had happened. He was then taken to Putnam Hospital Center. Emergency Room personnel contacted the Sheriff's Office to report that physicians were treating a man with multiple knife wounds.

"Upon learning of the attack, deputies and investigators converged on the scene and canvassed the neighborhood seeking those responsible," said the sheriff.

Despite the efforts of the Sheriff's Department K-9 Unit, the suspects got away.

Members of the Sheriff's Department have been on the lookout for the trio around-the-clock since the assault was reported.

Sheriff Smith said his staff was "continuing to investigate the crime. Anyone with information is asked to call 225-4300. All calls will be kept confidential."

Bullet Hole Threat

Anger was apparently too great for a Patterson woman, who now finds herself in trouble with the law.

The Putnam County Sheriff's Department arrested Nancy Russo, 44, of Patterson last week after she allegedly threatened to kill another woman in the presence of sheriff's deputies who, according to Undersheriff Peter Convery, were "attempting to quell a dispute between the two subjects."

Deputies Shaun Menton and Daniel Hunsberger were dispatched to a report of an afternoon dispute at the Fox Run Condos off Bullet Hole Road in Patterson.

The Undersheriff said when Russo threatened to physically harm the other woman while the deputies were attempting to restore peace, she was charged with harassment.

Russo was arraigned before Carmel Town Justice Thomas Jacobellis and was released without bail pending future court action in Patterson. The judge also issued an order of protection prohibiting Russo from having any contact with the victim.

Wrong House

A Kent woman is probably sleeping very lightly these days following a terrifying moment resulting from a drunken neighbor mistakenly entering her home in the middle of the night.

Kent Police were summoned to the residence last week at 1:15am by the Putnam 911 Dispatch Center after the woman called to report a "burglary in progress."

Lt. Alex DiVernieri said the "distraught caller stated she was asleep and heard a noise, only to hear footsteps and observe a man standing in her bedroom."

The woman screamed and the man fled.

Officers Ray Beauchesne and Thomas Carroll responded. With the assistance of Carroll's partner, Justice (a Kent PD canine), a search of the home was made for the suspect without results.

Lt. DiVernieri said a "track" took place from the point where the suspect entered the home to where he left, which led the officers to a nearby home.

Police questioned the homeowner by explaining what had transpired next door and when the cops inquired if anyone else resided in the dwelling, they discovered the owner's son.

Lt. DiVernieri said Matthew Branch, 23, matched the description of the intruder. When questioned, he admitted being inside the residence telling police he was intoxicated and believed the victim's home was actually his residence.

Branch was charged with one count of criminal trespass. He was arraigned by Kent Justice Peter Collins and was released without bail pending a July 20 hearing in Kent Court.

Love Spat Crash

A Lake Carmel man is facing felony charges of reckless endangerment and criminal mischief for allegedly driving his car into a vehicle operated by his girlfriend after police said the two had an apparent quarrel on the telephone.

Kent Police were summoned to the Hess Mart Service Station on Route 52 at Ludingtonville Road last week for a report of a property damage crash.

Sgt. Carl Champagne and Officer Kevin Radovich responded, and, according to Lt. Alex DiVernieri, found two damaged vehicles in the road.

An investigation revealed that one of the drivers, Michael Murray, 20, was having an argument on his cell phone with his girlfriend while driving along Route 52. Lt. DiVernieri said, when passing the service station, "Murray observed the young woman's vehicle attempting to exit the business, and crossed over the double yellow line into the opposite lane of traffic and plowed into the car."

No one was injured. Police said the unidentified 18-year-old had two passengers in her car at the time.

Murray was also charged with criminal possession of a weapon, reckless driving, failing to keep right, and operating a vehicle while using a cell phone. Murray was arraigned by Kent Justice Peter Collins and was remanded to the Putnam Correctional Facility in lieu of $5,000 bond pending a July 20 hearing.

Bagel Burglar

A Carmel man is in trouble with the law for allegedly stealing from his employer.

The Putnam County Sheriff's Department arrested Kenneth Dandrow, 23, last week after the proprietor of the Carmel Bagel Delicious on Gleneida Avenue in Carmel contacted authorities to report viewing an after-hours video surveillance of the store's interior and observing the young man allegedly removing cash from the register and placing the money in his pocket.

Captain William McNamara reported that, when taken into custody by Deputy Michael Sutherland, the suspect was in the possession of a quantity of illegal narcotic. In addition to one count of larceny, Dandrow was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Dandrow was processed at the Putnam Correctional Facility and was released after posting $250 bail pending a June 29 hearing in Carmel Town Court.

Sozzled at Starbucks

Five young residents of Putnam Valley are facing charges in Yorktown for allegedly consuming alcohol in a public place.

Yorktown Police arrested the five last Thursday shortly after 9pm in the parking lot of the Starbucks Coffee Shop after they were allegedly observed consuming cans of beer by a passing officer.

Lt. Richard Malan said such action violates the town's code.

Arrested, processed and released without bail were Justin Levan, 19, Robert Berg, 23, Eric Johnson, 19, and Safflya Abdulhag, 19, as well as another young woman who the lieutenant said was 18 years old and would not be identified.

Each of the defendants is due back in court tonight (Thursday). If found guilty the local magistrate can fine the Putnam residents or send them to the county jail for a maximum 15 days incarceration.