COLUMBIA COUNTY–Law enforcement agencies are investigating a rash of identity theft cases in which the credit and debit cards of local residents have been compromised, according to a press release from State Police investigators at Livingston.
The cards are being used to run up charges at local and out-of-state locations.
About 50 cases have been reported so far. State Police, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Greenport and Hudson police, who are working together with the assistance of the U.S. Secret Service, remind people to check their credit reports and encourage businesses to check the identifications of customers using credit and debit cards and to report any suspicious activity to authorities.
New Lebanon
Tyler Getty, 16, formerly of Salem, now a resident of the Berkshire Farm Center and Services for Youth, was charged with second degree burglary by State Police in New Lebanon, August 18.
A resident of Route 22 in New Lebanon came home the night of Wednesday, August 17 to find that someone had been in her house. State Police discovered that a Berkshire Farm Center resident had gone AWOL from the Canaan campus earlier in the day. The youth, identified as Tyler, made his way north through woods and a swamp, until he came upon the unoccupied residence. He then allegedly went into the house, helped himself to beverages and candy in the kitchen and broke an expensive porcelain light fixture.
He was arraigned in New Lebanon Court and sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $15,000 bail. Troopers Bryan Cloutier and John La Plante handled the case.
Austerlitz
A Ghent man escaped serious injury but he did not escape arrest Saturday night, August 27 after a wild ride across private property, according to State Police.
Joseph Tuosto, 21, lost control of the 2010 Hyundai Elantra he was driving west on Route 203. The vehicle crossed the eastbound lane and entered the Fox Hill Camp Grounds, turned a full circle as it skidded down a grassy hill and crashed into several small trees.
Chatham Rescue Squad took Mr. Tuosto to Albany Medical Center for treatment of numerous cuts to his face and head. He was treated and released. Troopers Nicholas Lombardi and John La Plante investigated the crash with the assistance of the Spencertown Fire Department. Mr. Tuosto was charged with failure to keep right, no seat belt and driving while intoxicated. He will answer the charges in Austerlitz Court, September 14.
Chatham
Scott Laurange, 22, of Valatie was charged with fourth degree criminal mischief and Jamie L. Miller, 25, of Valatie was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest by Chatham Police, August 8 at 8:40 p.m. Police were called to a dispute on Woodbridge Avenue. They separated the parties and began interviews. During investigation, it was determined that Mr. Laurange broke a cell phone. Ms. Miller allegedly became agitated and used loud foul language and refused to cooperate with officers. She became physical with officers and was physically restrained. Both were issued tickets to return to village court at a later date.
Big Up
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office reports the following arrests of patrons of the Big Up music festival in Ghent at the end of July:
*Ryan Tetro, 26, and Brett Tetro, 28, both of Brooklyn were each charged with third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance with the intent to sell, a class B felony, and fourth degree criminal possession of a narcotic drug, a class C felony by Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Michael Merante and Deputy Louis Bray, July 30. Both Mr. Tetros allegedly each possessed more than 11 grams of cocaine. They were arraigned in Greenport Court before Justice Robert Brenzel and both sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $40,000 cash bail or bond.
*Oliver Loring, 25, of Canton, CT, was charged with third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance with the intent to sell, a class B felony and unlawful possession of marijuana by Sgt. Merante and Deputy Bray, July 30. Mr. Loring allegedly possessed several bags of methamphetamine and a small amount of marijuana. He was arraigned in Greenport Court before Justice Brenzel and sent to the county jail in lieu of $20,000 cash bail or bond.
*Robin Cywar, 19, of Danbury, CT was charged with seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of marijuana by Sgt. Merante and Deputy Bray, July 30. Ms. Cywar allegedly had a controlled substance called Vyvanse and marijuana. She was sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $250 cash or bail bond
*Michael Pitt, 34, of Middletown was charged with fourth degree criminal possession of marijuana and seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance by Sergeant William Zincio and Deputy Brian Molinski, July 30. Mr. Pitt allegedly had packets of heroin and about a quarter pound of marijuana. He was issued appearance tickets returnable in Ghent Court.
*Jayson Nixon, 32, of Bethel was charged with fourth degree criminal possession of marijuana and seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance by Sgt. Zincio and Deputy Molinski, July 30. Mr. Pitt allegedly had packets of heroin and about a quarter pound of marijuana. He was issued appearance tickets returnable in Ghent Court.
*Brian Case, 27, of Webster, CA, was charged with trespass by Sgt. Zincio and Deputy Molinski, July 30. Mr. Case had been escorted off the grounds of the Big Up music festival several times and continued to ignore the security personnel requests to stay off the property. Mr. Case was arraigned in Greenport Court before Justice Robert Brenzel. He pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to three days in the Columbia County Jail.
*Tyler Musznski, 19, of Worcester, MA was charged with third degree criminal possession of a narcotic drug with the intent to sell, a class B felony and fifth degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class D felony, by Sergeant Donald Krapf, July 29. Mr. Musznski allegedly had a quantity of Ketamine at the Big Up music festival. He was arraigned in Ghent Court before Justice David Harrison, Sr., and sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond.
*Joshua Havens, 19, of Worcester, MA for third degree criminal possession of a narcotic drug with the intent to sell, a class B felony and fifth degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class D felony, by Sergeant Krapf, July 29. Mr. Havens allegedly had a quantity of Ketamine at the Big Up music festival. He was arraigned in Ghent Court before Justice Harrison and was sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond.
*Damian Pepin, 19, of Worcester, MA, was charged with third degree criminal possession of a narcotic drug with the intent to sell, a class B felony, and fifth degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class D felony, by Sergeant Krapf, July 29. Mr. Pepin allegedly had a quantity of Ketamine at the Big Up music festival. He was arraigned in Ghent Court before Justice Harrison and sent to the county jail in lieu of $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond.
*Hunter Morgan, 24, of Manchester was charged with third degree criminal possession of a narcotic drug with the intent to sell, a class B felony, and fifth degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class D felony, by Sergeant Krapf, July 29. Mr. Morgan allegedly had a quantity of Ketamine at the Big Up music festival. He was arraigned in Ghent Court in front of Judge Harrison and remanded to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond.
Drugs/alcohol
The following face drug- or alcohol-related charges:
*Joshua T. Hanlon, 21, of Niverville was charged with driving while intoxicated, failure to keep right, crossing road hazard markings, unlawful possession of marijuana, consumption of an alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle and seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) by Deputies David Rose and Travis VanAlstyne, August 8 at 11:29 a.m. Deputies investigated a personal injury automobile crash on Angell Hill Road at the Harlemville Road intersection in Ghent involving Mr. Hanlon, August 7. Mr. Hanlon was driving a 2000 Oldsmobile when he fell asleep behind the wheel, went off the roadway, struck an earth embankment and a guardrail came to rest in a field. He was alone in the vehicle and was not seriously injured. Mr. Hanlon will answer the charges in Ghent Court at a later date.
*Krista Antonson, 24, of Chatham was charged with seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance by Chatham Police, August 8 at 1:12 p.m. Ms. Antonson was stopped in the area of the Chatham Plaza. She allegedly had hypodermic needles and a quantity of heroin. She was released with a ticket for a later appearance in Chatham Village Court.
To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@columbiapaper.com.