HILLSDALE—State Police from Livingston apprehended a Hillsdale man wanted for robbing a Massachusetts bank, March 10.
Stockbridge, MA, police were called to a bank robbery at the Lee Bank, 3 Elm Street in Stockbridge, Monday at 3:53 p.m. Just before the bank closed at 4 p.m., the suspect, described as a white male about six feet tall, wearing boots, black pants, a brown jacket/hoodie and gloves, handed a teller a note directing her to give him money and no one would get hurt.
He then allegedly jumped over the counter and took money from the hands of the tellers who were counting the cash in their drawers in preparation for closing.
He allegedly pushed the tellers, grabbed an unknown amount of cash, jumped back over the counter and exited the bank making his getaway in a beat-up blue Chevy pickup with a dark green cap and yellow New York State license plates parked in the rear of the Red Lion Inn, according to documents provided by Massachusetts State Police.
An advisory was broadcast to Massachusetts and New York police patrols to be on the lookout for the suspect vehicle.
At about 6:45 p.m., Livingston Trooper Jeremy Proper saw a vehicle in the area of O’s Hillsdale Country Diner on Route 22 near the Route 23 intersection, which matched the vehicle description given earlier.
Trooper Proper, Trooper Brennan Keeler, along with assistance from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, stopped the vehicle on Anthony Street in Hillsdale.
The driver, Christopher G. Blair, 34, of Hillsdale, also matched the suspect’s description. He allegedly had $525.09 in his possession. Stockbridge Police were notified and everyone went to the Livingston barracks.
As a result of a collaborative investigation by the New York State Police, Stockbridge Police and Massachusetts State Police, a Massachusetts arrest warrant was issued for Mr. Blair on charges of unarmed robbery, larceny, assault and battery. He was also charged by State Police in New York for being a fugitive from justice.
Police documents indicate that Mr. Blair admitted to the crime saying he robbed the bank for money to purchase heroin, which he did on his way back to New York State.
He was arraigned in Livingston Court before Justice Robert Moore and was sent to the Columbia County Jail without bail, where he awaited extradition back to Massachusetts.
Greenport
Kelsey F. Gregory Jr., 24, of Hudson was charged with fourth degree criminal possession of stolen property, a class E felony, by Sheriff’s Office Investigators Patrick Logue and Anthony Brahm, February 24 at 11:23 a.m.
Mr. Gregory is accused of being in possession of more than $1,400 worth of stolen merchandise.
He was arraigned in Greenport Court and sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $5,000 bail. He is scheduled back in court at a later date.
*Jerry J. Depasquale, 38, of Leeds was charged with fourth degree stalking, a class B misdemeanor, by State Police from Livingston, February 28 at 4:51 p.m.
Troopers arrested Mr. Depasquale after receiving a report from a woman alleging that he frightened her by making constant unwanted contact with her for no legitimate purpose.
He was arraigned in Greenport Court and released on bail.
*Jonathan A. Carr, 45, of Stockport was charged with second degree criminal impersonation and second degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, both misdemeanors, by Sheriff’s Office Investigators Patrick Logue and Anthony Brahm, February 26 at 12:10 p.m.
Mr. Carr is accused of providing a false name to deputies who pulled him over in Greenport. He was found to have a suspended license and two active warrants out for his arrest in Greene County.
He was arraigned in Greenport Court and sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $500 bail. He is scheduled to return to court at a later date.
Claverack
Jean Pierre Hernandez, 19, of the Brookwood Secure Facility was charged with second degree promoting prison contraband, a class A misdemeanor, by State Police from Livingston, March 3.
Mr. Hernandez allegedly illegally possessed a cellular phone. He was issued an appearance ticket ordering him to appear in Claverack Court at a later date.
Drugs/alcohol
The following face drug- and/or alcohol-related charges:
*Tracy J. Duprey, 28, of Craryville was charged with seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and possession of a hypodermic instrument, class A misdemeanors, and unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation, by State Police from Livingston, February 23 at 8:35 p.m. Troopers stopped the car Ms. Duprey was operating for equipment violations and failure to maintain her lane of travel in Greenport. During the traffic stop, she was found to allegedly be in possession of a hypodermic needle, heroin and marijuana. She was issued tickets ordering her to appear in Greenport Court March 10.
*Daniel L. Tomlinson, 36, of New Lebanon was charged with driving while intoxicated, with a previous conviction, a class E felony, by State Police from New Lebanon, February 25 at 8:03 p.m. Troopers pulled Mr. Tomlinson over for a seatbelt violation in New Lebanon. He provided a breath sample which yielded a .10% blood alcohol content. He was issued tickets ordering him to appear in New Lebanon Court March 6.
COLUMBIA COUNTY—St. Patrick’s Day is March 17.
Columbia County Sheriff David Bartlett reminds drivers not to get behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that more than 269 people died nationwide in crashes involving drunk drivers during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday from 2007 to 2011. Those fatalities could have been prevented, the sheriff said in a release.
The Sheriff’s Office will designate extra patrols on St. Patrick’s Day and warns everyone traveling in Columbia County that if they are caught driving drunk they will be arrested.
To prevent a tragedy, Sheriff Bartlett recommends:
*Before festivities begin, plan a way to safely get home at the end of the night
*Anyone impaired should use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member or use public transportation to get home safely.
*Use a community sober ride program
*Anyone who sees a drunk driver on the road should contact local police. That action could save a life.
