CLERMONT– State Police at Livingston were called to a dispute between hunters, November 21.
Police say, a group of three hunters were tracking a wounded deer when they came upon another hunter named William Cole, 48, of Tivoli.
The two parties argued over trespassing issues and during the argument Mr. Cole allegedly threatened to shoot another hunter while holding his rifle. Trooper J. Crowe charged Mr. Cole with three counts of second degree menacing and fourth degree criminal possession of a weapon.
He was released with appearance tickets returnable in Clermont Court at a later date.
Livingston
James Stagias, 51, of Elizaville was charged with Environmental Conservation violations for illegally taking game, prohibited use of a firearm and a violation of the Fish and Wildlife Law by Trooper J. Lydon and Encon Lieutenant D. Claytor, November 24.
The trooper spotted Mr. Stagias near the Elizaville Post Office dumpster in possession of a deer he had just shot for which he did not have a tag. Encon Police were called to assist and located several other untagged deer at the Stagias residence. He was released with tickets returnable in Livingston Court.
Greenport
Matthew B. Schroeder, 27, of Valatie was charged with stealing packages containing laptop computers from his job as a local sorter at the United Parcel Service.
Mr. Schroeder was the subject of a three-month joint investigation by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and U.P.S. security investigators.
The investigation ended with Mr. Schroeder being stopped by deputies immediately after leaving the U.P.S. building on the evening of November 9. He was allegedly in possession of a stolen package containing a laptop computer inside his vehicle.
He was charged with three counts of petit larceny and one count of criminal possession of stolen property, all class A misdemeanors, November 16. He was issued appearance tickets returnable in Greenport Court, December 19 at 4 p.m. The investigation is continuing and more charges are possible. Assisting U.P.S. security from the Sheriff’s Office were Senior Investigator William Foster and Deputies Travis Van Alstyne and Peter Merante.
*Rodney Branton, 39, of Greenport was charged with a violation of parole by Greenport Police and state parole officers, November 8. A warrant for his arrest for his arrest on third degree assault is pending.
A 35-year-old woman victim of an assault filed a complaint with Greenport Police after she was punched numerous times in the face and body. She went to Columbia Memorial Hospital for treatment of her injuries. The assault occurred at Essex Manor, Monday, November 6 at 2 a.m. Sergeant Steven Keyser investigated the incident and found that Mr. Branton was a parolee. The sergeant contacted a parole officer and the parole warrant was served on Mr. Branton. He was taken into custody with incident and taken to the county jail. Sheriff’s deputies also assisted with the arrest. According to Greenport Police Chief Kevin Marchetto, Mr. Branton has a long criminal history and was out on parole for second degree assault. He was convicted of three violent felony charges in the past.
Claverack
Darren Dunckle, 21, of Hudson and Jamikel Yarbrough, 18, of Greenport were charged with second degree criminal trespass by Trooper C. Morse, November 30.
The two allegedly went into the residence without having permission to do so.
Both were arraigned in Greeport Town Court. Mr. Yarborough was sent to jail without bail because he was already out on bail on an unrelated charge at the time of his arrest. Mr. Dunckle was sent to jail in lieu of $25,000 cash bail.
Taghkanic
Curtis Rist, 51, of Taghkanic was charged with third degree assault, fourth degree criminal mischief and second degree harassment by Trooper J. Reppucci, November 28.
Mr. Rist was allegedly involved in a dispute during which he shoved a woman causing her injury after she fell and struck her head. Earlier, he also allegedly broke a cell phone to prevent the police from being called. He was arraigned in Taghkanic Court and was released after being served with an Order of Protection.
Canaan
Timothy Lewis, 35, of Pittsfield, MA was charged with felony third degree criminal possession of a weapon by Trooper Nicholas Lombardi, November 28.
Mr. Lewis was a passenger in vehicle stopped on State Route 295 for tailgating. Police found that Mr. Lewis, a convicted felon, was allegedly in possession of a collapsible metal billy club. He was arraigned in Canaan Court and was sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $3,000 bail. He will return to court at a later date.
Kinderhook
Jeffrey Kirkpatrick, 42, of Stockport was charged with third degree assault by Trooper W. Hogencamp, November 24.
State Police at Kinderhook were called to a Kinderhook residence for a reported assault. Responding troopers interviewed the victim who had been punched several times in the face while at his friend’s residence. Troopers later arrested Mr. Kirkpatrick. He was released on an appearance ticket returnable in Kinderhook Town Court at a later date.
To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@columbiapaper.com.