CLAVERACK—State Police at Livingston arrested two brothers in connection with a burglary, October 25. An investigation revealed that Brad Hapeman, 39, and Scott Hapeman, 41, both of 2240 State 9W, Saugerties allegedly unlawfully entered a residence on Route 9H and stole property from within. They were subsequently pulled over by Trooper James Lydon and allegedly found to be in possession of tools used to commit the burglary and burglary proceeds.
The Hapemans were each charged with third degree burglary, a class D felony; fifth degree criminal possession of stolen property, a class A misdemeanor, and criminal possession of burglar tools, a class A misdemeanor.
They were arraigned in Greenport Court before Justice Robert Brenzel and committed to the Columbia County Jail without bail. They were to appear in Claverack Court October 30.
Kinderhook
Four Ichabod Crane High School students have been charged in connection with a rash of thefts from the concession stand on the Ichabod Crane High School sports fields.
Livingston State Police investigators and SP Kinderhook troopers began their investigation October 2. They had received reports that someone had broken into the building that is operated by the Booster Club on numerous occasions. Over the course of several weeks the investigation led to the arrest of the students. On October 15, following a fourth burglary to the building, troopers developed information that led to the recovery of proceeds stashed at a local residence.
Two juvenile males have each been charged with multiple counts of third degree burglary. They were issued tickets to appear in Columbia County Family Court.
Jonathan Boyle, 16, of Stockport was charged with one count of third degree criminal trespass. He was issued a ticket to appear in Kinderhook Town Court.
Daniel Adams, 16, of Kinderhook was charged with four counts of third degree burglary. He was arraigned in Kinderhook Town Court and released to his parents. He is set to re-appear in court on December 18. Trooper E. Harris made the arrests.
Germantown
Three men were charged as a result of an illegal drug sales investigation by the Sheriff’s Office Drug Education and Enforcement Unit (DEEU), the Capital District Drug Task Force and the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office over the past several months in the southwest area of the county, according to a press release from Columbia County Sheriff David Harrison, Jr.
October 11 at about 10 p.m. the Sheriff’s Office SWAT team, deputies, investigators from the DEEU and members of the Capital District Drug Enforcement Task Force executed a search warrant issued by Columbia County Judge Richard Koweek at the residence of Joseph G. Clark, 20, on East Camp Road.
Arrested in the raid were Mr. Clark, Daniel Potts, 24, of Dogwood Lane Livingston and James J. Stagias, 25, of Parker Road Elizaville.
The three were charged with third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class D felony; tampering with physical evidence, a class E felony; seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, resisting arrest and possession of a hypodermic instrument, all class A misdemeanors.
When the Sheriff’s Office SWAT team entered the residence and identified themselves as police officers, the occupants allegedly immediately attempted to destroy evidence and actively resisted arrest. No law enforcement officers were injured but Mr. Stagias sustained a cut to his hand and was treated at Columbia Memorial Hospital and released.
More than five grams of heroin along with drug packaging equipment, supplies and paraphernalia were recovered as a result of the search warrant. Mr. Clark is believed to be a distributor of illegal drugs in southern Columbia and northern Dutchess counties, according to the release.
All three defendants were arraigned in Clermont Court before Justice Ronald Banks and were sent to the county jail without bail to return at a later date.
Greenport
In an October 9 press release, Columbia County Sheriff David Harrison, Jr. reported that about 400 marijuana plants were seized and five people arrested during a marijuana eradication detail.
A semi-automatic pistol was also recovered during the detail and its owner, Anthony Fiordilino, who did not have a pistol license, was charged with third degree criminal possession of a weapon, a class D felony.
The Sheriff’s Office Drug Education and Enforcement Unit led by Senior Investigator William Foster, along with members of the Sheriff’s S.W.A.T. team and K9 units, were assisted by the Massachusetts Air National Guard in checking several locations throughout Columbia County via helicopter. The detail took place September 11, 12 and 13.
Charged with unlawfully growing cannabis, a Public Health Law misdemeanor were:
•Mr. Fiordilino, 68, of Winehartd Road, Elizaville, who faces the weapons charge mentioned above and a charge of fifth degree criminal possession of marijuana. He was sent to the county jail in lieu of $1,000 cash bail or $2,000 bail bond by Taghkanic Justice Jeffrey Tallackson and will return to town court at a later date.
•Ronald A. Belfi, 65, of Gayle Hill Road, New Lebanon, was issued an appearance ticket returnable in New Lebanon Court.
• James M. Shuster, 58, of Pumpkin Hollow Road, Copake was issued an appearance ticket returnable in Copake Court.
• Jacklyn K. Haight, 47, of Camp Creek Road, Germantown, was issued an appearance ticket returnable in Germantown Court.
• Matthew Kluge, 43, of Pond Road, Gallatin was issued an appearance ticket returnable in Gallatin Court.
Sheriff Harrison reported that of the marijuana plants were found in the towns of Chatham, Copake, Gallatin, Germantown and New Lebanon.
The investigation of growing, packaging and selling illegal substance(s) is continuing and additional arrests are possible.
Drugs
The following face drug-related charges:
*James Larm, 18, of Niverville was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and resisting arrest by Kinderhook Trooper W. Hogencamp, October 7. Mr. Larm was a passenger in a vehicle stopped on Parker Hall Road, Kinderhook for a loud muffler. During the stop the trooper determined that Mr. Larm and the vehicle’s driver, Tika Veakins, 18, of Stuyvesant were allegedly in possession of marijuana. While Mr. Larm was being interviewed he allegedly pushed the trooper and ran. Mr. Larm was arraigned in Kinderhook Court and released on his own recognizance.
Ms. Veakins was issued traffic tickets and an appearance ticket for unlawful possession of marijuana. Both will reappear at a later date.
To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@columbiapaper.com.