Police News

Diana Culhane Three injured in Carmel collision

Three people were injured last week in a three-vehicle crash on Route 52 in downtown Carmel directly in front of the historic Putnam Courthouse.

Carmel Police investigated the mishap with the assistance of Kent Police and members of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department.

Ambulances and fire crews from Carmel assisted at the scene along with paramedics from the TransCare Ambulance Company.

Members of the Carmel Fire Police assisted with traffic control since the crash snarled vehicles along Carmel’s busy main thoroughfare during the noon hour.

Brewster man gets felony charges in Carmel hit and run

A Brewster man is facing a lengthy state prison term for allegedly causing massive leg trauma to a young Carmel man who was run down during a dispute over money.

Carmel Police Chief Michael Johnson said the mishap took place last week at 11pm when officers were dispatched to Route 6 in the hamlet of Carmel where they found the victim in the road.

Arthur DeSiervi, 20, was taken to Danbury Hospital by Carmel Volunteer Ambulance Corps personnel and was admitted following emergency surgery.

On Monday, Lt. Brian Karst explained the circumstances that led to the alleged assault. “The suspect, Jason Miller, 24, along with several others followed the victim into his driveway and confronted the man over monies owed to them,” Karst reported. “Miller approached Mr. DeSiervi while he was seated in his vehicle and demanded that he pay the debt. A number of DeSiervi’s friends became aware of the dispute and exited his house while Mr. DeSiervi stepped from his vehicle. Miller ran back to his car and was fleeing the area when he ran down the victim. He then fled the scene and abandoned his vehicle on Wingdale Road in Lake Carmel. Kent Police located the car a short time later and when the officers approached, Miller ran off into the woods.”

Lt. Karst said a comprehensive search of the area ensued involving Carmel Police, Kent Police, Putnam County Sheriff’s Department personnel, and NY State Police, who used several canines and helicopters—all to no avail.

Last weekend, police took Miller into custody on charges of 2nd degree assault and leaving the scene of a personal injury crash. Miller was arraigned by Judge Joseph Spofford and was remanded to the Putnam Correctional Facility in lieu of $25,000 bail.

District Attorney Adam Levy said the assault charge was a Class C felony carrying a maximum period of incarceration of up to 15 years in a state penitentiary if found guilty.

Carmel youths face felony charges in attempted robbery

Two young men from Carmel facing felony charges for the alleged attempted burglary of a Mahopac restaurant are due in Carmel Town Court next week.

Carmel Police arrested Michael Ferrara, 20, and Christopher Edwards, 17, after receiving a report of a commercial burglar alarm activation at the Countryside Kitchen on Route 6 in Mahopac last week at 12:30am.

Chief Michael Johnson said when Officer Thomas Johanson arrived minutes later he noticed damage to a rear basement door as well as weeds behind the building matted down that led to the Putnam Bike Trail.

Officer Doug Romeo and Sgt. John Dearman responded to assist and located the two suspects. A call for the department’s canine was made, and Officer Thomas Raffaelle responded with the dog and followed a track from the diner to where the suspects were located.

Chief Johnson said, “along the track two bicycles and a back pack were found containing burglar’s tools and a face mask.”

The suspects were each charged with attempted burglary, possession of burglar’s tools, and criminal mischief.

They were arraigned by Carmel Judge Thomas Jacobellis and were remanded to the Putnam Correctional Facility in lieu of $10,000 bail each pending a Sept. 22 hearing.

District Attorney Adam Levy said the most serious charge—attempted burglary— was a Class E felony carrying a maximum period of incarceration of up to four years in a state penitentiary if found guilty.

Suicidal woman found by Sheriff’s canine

Duncan, a Sheriff’s Department canine, is being credited with saving the life of a suicidal woman who fled from a domestic incident in Southeast.

Sheriff’s Department Captain William McNamara said the incident was reported at 8:45am last week when deputies and Brewster State Police were dispatched to a reported domestic disturbance at a residence on Guinea Road.

McNamara said a man at the residence reported that his 35-year-old lady friend had threatened to harm herself with a razor during the argument. The man told police that he wrestled the weapon away from the woman before she ran into a heavily wooded area behind the residence.

Deputies and troopers searched the area without success. At that point, Deputy Vincent Dalo and the canine were summoned, and within minutes the dog tracked the woman’s scent and led the deputy to her where she was found uninjured.

The woman, who police did not identify, was taken into custody pursuant to the NYS Mental Hygiene Law and was admitted at Putnam Hospital Center for psychiatric evaluation.

Three Putnam residents arrested by Yorktown PD

Three residents of Putnam County are due in Yorktown Town Court next month to answer charges following their arrests by Yorktown Police.

Police arrested Christopher Vega-Roman, 19, of Lake Peekskill, last week on charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Lt. Richard Malan said officers were dispatched to a residence in Shrub Oak after the homeowner alleged that while he was away on vacation someone used his vehicle without permission. An investigation led police to the Putnam Valley resident.

Vega-Roman was contacted and voluntarily appeared at police headquarters, where he was charged. The young man was released without bail pending an Oct. 13 hearing.

Police arrested a second Lake Peekskill resident on charges of aggravated unlicensed operation.

Mark Tompkins, 29, was arrested last week at 9:30pm after his speeding car was stopped on Route 6 in Mohegan Lake. Lt. Malan said a computer check revealed the Putnam man’s license had been suspended pending prosecution of a recent DWI charge. Tompkins posted $100 bail and was released pending next month’s court appearance.

Cops also arrested an 18-yearold Mahopac youth for larceny after he allegedly shoplifted two shirts valued at $76 from the Sears store at the Jefferson Valley Mall.

The youth, who was not identified because of his age, was released to the custody of his parents pending the Oct. 13 hearing.

District Attorney Adam Levy said each of the offenses was a Class A misdemeanor carrying a maximum period of incarceration of up to one year in the county jail if found guilty.

Kent cops make back-toback DWI arrests

This is one epidemic that is showing no signs of improvement. The incidence of driving while intoxicated cases continues in all jurisdictions around the county.

Kent Police made back-to-back arrests last week. Officer Darren Cea stopped a car on Salem Road in Lake Carmel after it was observed being operated erratically.

Its driver, Jerson Hernandez, 48, of Yonkers, was found to be heavily intoxicated and was charged with DWI.

Lt. Alex DiVernieri said that when the man’s blood alcohol level measured .18 percent or more than twice the legal limit for DWI, additional charges of aggravated DWI were lodged.

Hernandez was released to the custody of a family member following arraignment by Kent Justice Peter Collins.

A short time later, Officer Ray Beauchesne was traveling on Route 52 when he noticed a vehicle parked partially on the pavement north of the Route 311 interchange in Lake Carmel.

The driver of the car, Darlene Lamb, 49, of Carmel, was arrested for driving while her ability was impaired by drugs, after the officer observed slurred speech and lethargic movements.

Lamb was also released to the custody of a family member pending future action in Kent Justice Court.

Yorktown Police, meanwhile, arrested a Mahopac man for DWI after a speeding car was stopped on Route 202 at 3:45am.

Michael Finan, 21, was also charged with speeding. He posted $100 bail and was released to the custody of a family member pending an Oct. 8 hearing in Yorktown.

Carmel Police also arrested a Mahopac man for DWI after Officer Neil Brown was running radar on Route 6N in Mahopac Falls last week at 9:45pm. and observed a vehicle exceeding the speed limit. During a traffic stop, the officer noticed the driver of the vehicle, Jan Frederick, 49, of Mahopac was intoxicated. A computer check revealed Frederick had been previously convicted of drunken driving in 2003 so the charge was elevated to a felony.

Additional charges of operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol level of more than .08 percent, as well as speeding and passing in a No Passing zone, were lodged.

Carmel cops also arrested a Yorktown man for DWI after Officer Jeffrey Eagan reportedly observed a vehicle tailgating another car on Route 6 in Mahopac at one o’clock in the morning. George Singlelakis, 36, was charged with DWI as well as failing to keep right, improper lane usage, tailgating, and driving left of pavement markings.

Both men were released to the custody of family members pending future hearings in Carmel Town Court.