COPAKE LAKE–A Philmont man and his girlfriend were charged in connection with the break-in of a Copake Lake residence, according to a press release from Sheriff David Harrison, Jr.
Deputies handled a burglary complaint at the home May 9, after a repairman from a local fuel company arrived for a service call and discovered the home had been broken into.
Electronic appliances were stolen from the residence.
While investigating leads in the case, Investigator Patrick Logue developed information indicating two suspects from the Philmont area were involved, said the release.
Further investigation lead to the arrests of Ralph E. Dingee, IV, 21, and Ashley Brennan, 26, both of Main Street, Philmont, who were charged with second degree burglary, a class C felony, and third degree grand larceny, a class D felony. Both made admissions about their involvement in the Copake Lake burglary as well as their roles in at least two other burglaries in the same area, which are being handled by the Copake Police Department.
The investigation continues with both agencies working together on the other burglaries.
Both subjects were arraigned before Justice Juliette Crill in Hillsdale Court and sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $15,000 cash bail or $30,000 bail bond. Both are scheduled to return court at a later date.
The investigation is continuing and further charges are expected.
Stockport
John Dobrouch, 34, of Stockport was charged with third degree assault, criminal obstruction of breathing, petit larceny and seventh degree criminal possession of controlled substance by State Police at Livingston, June 23.
Troopers were called to a Stockport residence where Mr. Dobrouch allegedly slapped and choked a woman and took her cell phone.
He was later found on Fairview Avenue and allegedly had the stolen cell phone and crack cocaine. He was arraigned in Stockport Court and sent to the Columbia County Jail without bail. He will reappear in Greenport Court on the drug charge and Stockport Court on the other charges.
*State Police at Livingston were called to investigate a train accident, June 16. Troopers discovered that a CSX cargo train driven by Michael Fink, 54, of Schenectady and James Brown, 58, of Catskill, struck a large tree that had fallen across the tracks. The train windshield was shattered by the impact.
The Greenport Rescue Squad checked Mr. Brown for possible glass in his eye. There were no other passengers on the train, and neither Mr. Brown nor Mr. Fink required any further medical attention. After the track was cleared, the train went to Hudson for repairs.
Greenport
*Davon Sisnett, 23, of Hudson and Briana Rippel, 25, of East Chatham were each charged with one count of criminal possession of a stimulant, a class A felony; one count of third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, a class B felony; one count of third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class B felony; one count of seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor by State Police, June 15.
Ms. Rippel was also issued two traffic tickets.
At about midnight, troopers stopped a vehicle on State Route 23 for a vehicle and traffic law violation.
Further interview and investigation, revealed signs of drugs within the vehicle. Troopers subsequently discovered more than 11 grams of crack cocaine and 219 decks of heroin. Both defendants were arraigned in Greenport Court before Justice Robert Brenzel, who sent them to the Columbia County Jail without bail.
*Ariella Wolkowicz, 20, of Craryville was charged with seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor, June 24, according to a press release from Columbia County Sheriff David Harrison, Jr.
The sheriff said that corrections staff obtained information through routine security tactics that Ms. Wolkowicz, who was a visitor to the county jail, planned to bring in narcotics and pass them to an inmate during a visit.
Sr. Investigator William Foster and Sergeant William Zincio interviewed Ms. Wolkowicz and discovered suboxone in her possession.
People caught bringing illegal drugs and other contraband into the jail will be prosecuted to the fullest extent allowed by law, said the sheriff.
The investigation is continuing and additional charges are possible.
Ms. Wolkowicz will answer the charge in Greenport Court July 11.
* Jonathan Adamski, 18, of Greenport was charged with fourth degree criminal possession of stolen property, a class E felony, by Greenport Police Sergeant Steven Keyser and Officer Luanne Varney, June 13 at 8:20 p.m.
Police were called to check on a suspicious vehicle parked on Union Turnpike. After doing a file check, it was determined that the 1999 Toyota Camry was stolen from Coeymans, June 10.
Mr. Adamski allegedly took and possessed the vehicle. A half-hour later, Mr. Adamski was spotted walking through the parking lot in Fairview Plaza. The officers chased Mr. Adamski and apprehended him quickly.
He was arraigned before Justice Francis Abitabile and was sent to Columbia County jail in lieu of $20,000 cash bail.
*Shawn M. Griffin, 42, of Greenport was charged with third degree assault, criminal obstruction of breathing and fourth degree criminal mischief by Greenport Police Sergeant Jerald Rowell, June 20.
Mr. Griffin allegedly assaulted a 51-year-old Greenport woman. He was arraigned before Justice Francis Abitabile and was released on his own recognizance.
Hillsdale
Shawn Hearn, 37, of Dover was charged with third degree assault by State Police at Livingston, June 18.
Mr. Hearn was involved in a bar fight in Hillsdale. After he allegedly repeatedly punched and hurt another bar patron, he allegedly fled the scene. State Police at Dover intercepted Mr. Hearn on his way home and took him into custody. He was released on an appearance ticket returnable in Hillsdale Court. The Community Rescue Squad took the bar fight victim to Columbia Memorial Hospital for treatment of facial injuries.
*State Police at Livingston investigated a one-car personal injury auto accident at the intersection of state routes 22 and 23, June 22.
Fred Paddock, 81, of Copake was driving south on Route 22 when he fell asleep behind the wheel and went off the roadway.
The Paddock vehicle struck a concrete barrier in the parking lot of the Cobble Pond Farm convenience store/gas station. Both the driver and his passenger, May Paddock, 68, also of Copake were taken to Columbia Memorial Hospital for treatment of chest pain.
Hudson
Daniel Oquendo, 22, an inmate at the Hudson Correctional Facility was charged with second degree assault, a class D felony, by State Police at Livingston, June 16.
Mr. Oquendo allegedly punched and fought with a corrections officer, causing injury to the officer. Mr. Oquendo was arraigned in Hudson Court and sent to the Coxsackie Correctional Facility.
To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@columbiapaper.com
