CHATHAM—During a traffic stop, State Police from New Lebanon apprehended a man wanted for trying to kill a college student and a bus driver in Massachusetts.
Troopers were dispatched to assist a stranded motorist whose vehicle had broken down on the Taconic State Parkway, September 25 at 8:12 p.m.
While interviewing the vehicle operator, Timothy G. Wells, 25, of Woburn, MA, troopers noted that Mr. Wells “was easily agitated and was inconsistent while speaking.” An investigation revealed that Mr. Wells was wanted by the Salem State University Police Department for allegedly stabbing a female Salem State University student on a college shuttle bus earlier that day. When the bus driver intervened, he was also allegedly attacked by Mr. Wells.
Following the incident, the university and surrounding public schools were placed on lockdown. Mr. Wells was wanted for two counts of attempted murder. Troopers took Mr. Wells into custody at 10 p.m. and charged him with being a fugitive from justice, a class E felony. Columbia County District Attorney’s office was consulted. Mr. Wells was arraigned in Livingston Court and sent to the Columbia County Jail without bail, pending extradition to Massachusetts, per the recommendation of the DA.
Greenport
Daniel L. Davis, 62, of Livingston was charged with one count of first degree attempted sex abuse, a class E felony and one count of endangering the welfare of a child, a class A misdemeanor, by
the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation at Livingston, October 1.
The arrest came following a joint investigation with the Columbia-Green Child Advocacy Center and the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office into a report that Mr. Davis had unlawful contact with a girl under the age of 13 in Greenport.
Mr. Davis was arraigned in Livingston Court and was sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $25,000 cash bail or $50,000 bond. He is set to return to court October 3.
This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Investigator Marcus Walthour at 518 851-2001.
Hudson
Hudson Police received a call shortly after 9 p.m. September 24 about an assault on the 400 block of Long Alley. Patrols discovered it was a robbery and that three unknown male suspects fled on bicycles west in Long Alley. They got away with $15 cash.
The victims were a father and teenage son who were assaulted while heading home on foot and it appears they did not know the suspects. The victims were treated for injuries. Police are reviewing video footage and interviewing possible witnesses.
Anyone with information about the crime is asked to contact Hudson Police detectives at 518 828-9900.
“Throughout this summer the department has investigated four muggings that appear to be related. In these instances, groups of youths have assaulted and robbed citizens walking in dark, unlit areas of the city. The victims offered, or were unable to offer, much resistance. They were simply surprised or outnumbered. There is no common characteristic among the victims and this is not being viewed as a ‘hate crime.’ These are crimes of opportunity. Citizens are reminded to be wary of these circumstances. The department appeals to residents for information or a tip that may help solve these crimes. Because we believe these muggings to be correlated, and are being performed by the same few individuals, I am confident that when we ultimately make an arrest the problem will be resolved,” Hudson Police Chief L. Edward Moore said in a press release.
*Tavaris A. Grant, 17, of Hudson was charged with third degree robbery, aggravated criminal contempt and second degree strangulation by Hudson Police Officer Randy Clarke at 15 North Front Street, August 24 at 9:57 a.m.
Tavaris allegedly strangled the victim during a physical dispute and forcibly took her property while a valid order of protection was in place ordering him to stay away from her.
He was arraigned in Hudson City Court before Judge John Connors and sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $20,000 cash bail or $40,000 bail bond to return to court at a later date.
*Samir Salah Alygad, 24, of Freehold was charged with fourth degree grand larceny (taken from a person), first degree criminal contempt (violation of an order of protection, physical contact), fourth degree criminal mischief (prevent communicating), second degree criminal trespass and two counts of second degree harassment by Hudson Police Officer James Nero at the police station, August 15 at 1:08 p.m.
Mr. Alygad was charged on an arrest warrant after he allegedly got into a verbal and physical dispute with a woman. During the incident, Mr. Alygad allegedly physically assaulted the woman and took her phone, preventing her from alerting police. At the time, an active order of protection was in place against Mr. Alygad, prohibiting contact with the victim.
Arraigned before City Court Judge John Connor, Mr. Alygad was sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $20,000 cash bail or $40,000 bond. He was to return to court at a later date.
*Rocko J. DePace, Jr., 31, of Hudson was charged with third degree assault (with intent to cause physical injury) and first degree unlawful imprisonment by Hudson Police Officer Kevin Sweet at 40 Green Street, August 16 at 1:15 p.m.
Charged on an arrest warrant, Mr. Depace allegedly got into a physical altercation with a woman and refused to let her leave or call police after he assaulted her.
Arraigned in City Court before Judge John Connor, Mr. DePace was sent to the county jail in lieu of $15,000 cash bail or $30,000 bail bond to return to court at a later date.
*Matthew R. Mulvaney, 29, of Hudson was charged with second degree reckless endangerment and fifth degree arson (intentional damage of property by fire) by Hudson Police Officer James Delaney, Jr., at 89 Green Street, August 19 at 3:25 p.m.
Mr. Mulvaney allegedly set fire to the heat detector at a Green Street address. When a firefighter was at the door, Mr. Mulvaney allegedly threw a bottle at the door. The bottle broke and numerous pieces of glass struck the firefighter.
Mr. Mulvaney was arraigned before Judge Mark Portin in City Court and sent to the county jail in lieu of $500 cash bail or $1,000 bail bond. He was to return to court at a later date.
*Jacob M. Waldron, 28, of Greenville was charged with fifth degree arson (intentional damage of property by fire) at 71 Prospect Avenue by Hudson Police Officer Dean Rowe, August 18 at 5 p.m.
Mr. Waldron allegedly set fire to a roll of toilet paper in the bathroom at the Columbia Memorial Hospital Emergency Room. He was arraigned in City Court before Judge Mark Portin and sent to the county jail in lieu of $3,500 cash bail or $5,000 bail bond to return to court at a later date.
*An unidentified juvenile was charged with fifth degree arson (intentional damage of property by fire) by Hudson Police Detective Christopher Filli on the 300 block of State Street, August 30 at 6 p.m.
Police say the juvenile intentionally started a fire in a garbage can on the rear porch of a second floor residence. The garbage can and its contents were destroyed and the porch had minimal damage. An appearance ticket was issued.
*Dennis G. Alonzo, 55, of Brooklyn was charged with third degree assault (with intent to cause physical injury), second degree assault (with intent to cause serious physical injury), endangering welfare of child and fourth degree criminal possession of a weapon (intent to use) by Hudson Police Officer James Nero at 431 East Allen Street, September 6 at 1:36 p.m.
During a traffic stop, Mr. Alonzo was taken into custody on a Hudson City Court arrest warrant stemming from a 2012 incident in which he allegedly used an electric cord to strike a child in the legs and struck her in the ear with his hand, rupturing her ear drum. He was also issued two traffic tickets for not having the two children in his vehicle wear seat belts.
Mr. Alonzo was arraigned before Judge John Connors and sent to the county jail in lieu of $2,500 cash bail or $4,000 bond.
*Jovan Jerrel Lewis, 25, of Hudson was charged with unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, failure to use due care to avoid a bike/pedestrian and second degree aggravated unlicensed operation (three or more suspensions on three or more dates) at 2 Rogers Lane by Hudson Police Officer Shane Bower, August 20 at 8:38 a.m.
Mr. Lewis was allegedly operating a motor vehicle and caused a collision with a bicycle in which the rider sustained scrapes and bruises. Mr. Lewis was arraigned in City Court before Judge John Connors and released on his own recognizance to reappear at a later date.
*Gary James Merritt, 59, of Windham was charged with attempted petit larceny, criminal possession of a controlled substance, possession of a hypodermic instrument and third degree aggravated unlicensed operation by Hudson Police Officer James Nero at 201 Union Street, August 23 at 8:01 p.m.
Mr. Merritt was charged on a Hudson Court arrest warrant for attempted petit larceny after police saw him driving a vehicle on Union Street. He allegedly attempted to steal items from CVS July 26. He was subsequently found to have a hypodermic syringe and a packet of heroin next to the driver’s seat. Mr. Merritt was arraigned before Hudson City Court Judge John Connor and sent to the county jail in lieu of $300 cash bail or $1,000 bail bond. He was to return to court at a later date.
*Rodney E. Branton, 40, of Hudson was charged with fourth degree criminal possession of stolen property (vehicle except motorcycle) by Hudson Police Officer Jeffrey Keyser, August 29 at 10:15 p.m.
Mr. Branton was pulled over at 215 Harry Howard Avenue because he was operating a vehicle that was reported stolen to Hudson Police. He was released on an appearance ticket to return to Hudson City Court.
*Galen C. Lange, 26, of Hudson was charged with theft of services (failure to pay for services) by Hudson Police Officer William Wrigley at 329 Long Alley, August 14 at 9:35 p.m.
Mr. Lange dined at a local restaurant and allegedly left the restaurant with the intent to avoid payment. He was arraigned in Hudson City Court before Judge Mark Portin and sent to jail in lieu of $500 cash bail or $1,000 bond. He was to return to court at a later date.
Copake
Creshawn D. Mackey, 18, of Hudson was charged with second degree burglary, a class C felony, and petit larceny, a class A misdemeanor, according to a press release from Columbia County Sheriff David Harrison, Jr.
County 911 dispatched Deputies Patrick Mayo and Joseph Bruno to a County Route 7A residence for a reported burglary in progress, September 16. When they arrived, deputies found evidence of forced entry. They searched the home and found no one inside. After an investigation by the deputies and Sheriff’s Investigator Mark Dunspaugh, it was discovered that property valued at about $500 had been stolen.
Sheriff Harrison said that neighbors provided information which assisted in the investigation.
Mr. Mackey was arrested without incident at the Sheriff’s Sub-Station in Hillsdale September 26 at 5 p.m. by Investigator Dunspaugh and Deputy Kelly Briscoe. He allegedly made admissions concerning his involvement in the crime.
Arraigned in Copake Court before Justice Brian Herman, Mr. Mackey was sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $1,000 cash bail or $2,000 bail bond to return to Copake Court October 28.
Drugs/alcohol
The following face drug and/or alcohol-related charges:
*Sonja Marie Brink, 33, of Coxsackie was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance by Hudson Police Officer Kevin Sweet at 107 Green Street, Hudson, August 20 at 6:23 p.m.
Ms. Brink allegedly had four plastic-wrapped pills which field-tested positive for an opiate in her pocket. The drugs were discovered during a home visit by the Greene County Probation Department. Ms. Brink was arraigned in Hudson Court before Judge John Connors and was sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $1,500 cash bail or $3,000 bail bond to return to court at a later date.
*Michelle Lee Moskaluk, 24, of Hollowville was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and resisting arrest by Hudson Police Officer Nicolas Pierro at 445 State Street, Hudson, August 24 at 6:31 p.m. Ms. Moskaluk allegedly possessed a glass smoking device with a white residue which tested positive for cocaine. When patrols attempted to arrest her, she allegedly fought with them. She was held for arraignment.
*Angela S. Heath, 39, of Philmont was charged with seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, two counts of having tires not up to standards and illegally signaling from a parked position by Hudson Police Officer Kevin Sweet, August 27 at 11:48 p.m. Ms. Heath was pulled over for traffic and equipment violations at 360 State Street, Hudson. She was subsequently found to allegedly possess crack cocaine and a glass smoking pipe. She was released with appearance tickets returnable in Hudson City Court at a later date.
*Gregory C. Wind, Jr., 32, of Hudson was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of marijuana by Hudson Police Officer Jeffrey Keyser, August 28 at 11:20 a.m. While conducting an interview at 15 South Front Street in connection with a drug complaint, Mr. Wind was found to allegedly possess a morphine pill and a quantity of marijuana. He was issued appearance tickets returnable in Hudson City Court.
