CHATHAM—Francesca A. Almstead, 39, of Philmont was charged with third degree grand larceny, a class D felony, by State Police investigators from the Livingston barracks, July 14 at 10:04 a.m.
Troopers were called to the First Niagara Bank in the village to investigate a reported larceny from a customer’s bank account, July 1.
An investigation revealed that between July 2013 and May 2014, Ms. Almstead, a bank employee, had allegedly stolen more than $16,000 from a customer’s account.
Ms. Almstead’s employment was terminated by the bank in May.
She was arraigned in Claverack Court and released on her own recognizance. She is due to reappear in court August 19.
Clermont
Two Clermont residents face charges following and subsequent to sex offense investigation
Shayne D. Stanton, 21, of Clermont was charged with sexual misconduct, a class A misdemeanor, by State Police investigators from Livingston, July 7.
On July 4, State Police were called to investigate an alleged sex offense that occurred in June 2013. An investigation revealed that Mr. Stanton allegedly had a sexual relationship with the 16-year-old victim.
Also charged in the case was Lisa A. Parkinson, 55, of Clermont for endangering the welfare of a child after police learned that she was aware of the relationship.
Troopers were assisted by a Columbia County District Attorney’s Office and its forensic interviewer along with Child Protective Services.
Ms. Parkinson and Mr. Stanton were issued tickets ordering them to appear in Clermont Court at a later date.
Hudson
City Police with the assistance of State Police arrested Bruce M. Wallace, Jr., 21, of Philmont, in Prison Alley near Seventh Street and charged him with two counts of resisting arrest and a parole violation, July 10 at 2:40 pm.
Mr. Wallace was wanted by the Parole Department, which issued a warrant for his arrest in April for violating terms of his release.
Detectives were contacted by a Columbia County probation officer who was aware that Mr. Wallace was wanted and who saw him and his girlfriend, Kristen Algie, 28, of Livingston, walk into an apartment together at 42 North Sixth Street.
Officers went to the address and while they knocked on the door and announced themselves, Mr. Wallace allegedly fled out an apartment window and was later pursued by the police.
Trooper Christopher Taylor, who was in the area, saw Mr. Wallace running in Prison Alley, and helped Officer Kevin Sweet, who was chasing Mr. Wallace, take him in custody.
Officers returned to the apartment and took Ms. Algie into custody on charges of hindering prosecution for allegedly assisting and allowing Mr. Wallace to flee.
In addition to the state parole warrant and the resisting arrest charges, Mr. Wallace also has an outstanding arrest warrant for burglary.
Ms. Algie was issued a ticket to appear in Hudson City Court July 17 and released.
Mr. Wallace was sent to the Columbia County Jail and is scheduled to reappear in City Court July 17.
Claverack
Carl C. Delfino, 27, of Rhinebeck was charged with second degree criminal contempt, a class A misdemeanor, by Deputies Joshua Oakes and Jason Garvey, July 3 at 1:35 p.m.
Mr. Delfino is accused of violating an order of protection. He was arraigned in Claverack Court and released on his own recognizance. He will reappear in court at a later date.
Gallatin
Lee M. Buley, Jr., 37, of Kingston was charged on a warrant for third degree criminal mischief, class E felony, and second degree harassment, a violation, by Deputies Jason Garvey and Joseph Kilmer, July 9 at 10:27 a.m. Mr. Buley is accused of damaging a mirror and window on a vehicle and also punching a person three times in the face at a private residence in Gallatin.
He was arraigned in Livingston Court and released on his own recognizance. He will appear in Gallatin Court July 23.
Drugs/alcohol
The following face drug- and/or alcohol-related charges:
*John C. Rocha, 53, of Claverack was charged with felony driving while ability impaired by drugs, due to a previous conviction, by State Police from Livingston, July 2 at 8:45 p.m. Troopers were called by Columbia County 911 to investigate an erratic vehicle traveling on State Route 9H. Troopers stopped a vehicle matching the description and identified Mr. Rocha as the operator. A State Police drug recognition expert was used to confirm that Mr. Rocha was impaired. He was issued tickets ordering him to appear in Livingston Court at a later date.
*Elvin Maldonado, 23, of Mamaroneck was charged with driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor, by State Police from Kinderhook, July 5 at 10:13 p.m. Troopers stopped the car Mr. Maldonado was driving for an equipment violation in Valatie. He provided a breath sample that yielded a .11% blood alcohol content. He was issued tickets ordering him to appear in Kinderhook Town Court July 22.
DEC protects vulnerable species during spawning
HUDSON—A two-month-long enforcement initiative on the Hudson River and its tributaries resulted in the ticketing of more than 60 people for numerous fishing-related violations, according to a press release from state Department of Environmental Conservation Acting Regional Director Keith Goertz.
During April and May, DEC officers concentrated their efforts along the Hudson River and its tributaries on a detail dubbed “Operation River Run” in an effort to protect the spring migrations of numerous fish species in the Hudson River watershed, including walleye, striped bass, shad, herring and young eels.
“This was a tremendously successful operation. Our uniformed and plain-clothed officers worked all hours of the day and night in often remote locations to protect these vulnerable fish species during their spawning cycles,” Mr. Goertz said in the release.
Officers checked more than 400 anglers during the operation resulting in the ticketing of more than 60 individuals and written warnings issued to another 20 anglers. Most violations were for fishing without a freshwater license or marine license, which is required to catch marine species in the Hudson River. Officers also issued tickets for striped bass and herring over the legal limit.
The illegal taking of young eels, also called glass eels or elvers, has increased substantially in the past few years due to the large demand for the fish in the lucrative Asian market.
Most illegal fishing takes place late at night and often goes unreported due to the remote locations where much of the illegal activity occurs. DEC police utilized saturation patrols and concentrated staff in targeted problem areas using unmarked and marked vehicles and boats.
Experts check child safety seats
HUDSON—Columbia County Sheriff Office, in partnership with the Columbia County Health Department, the Hudson Police Department and the state Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee plan a Child Passenger Safety Seat Check event Saturday July 19, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the front parking lot of the Hudson High School, 215 Harry Howard Avenue in Hudson.
Parents and caregivers will receive one-to-one installation guidance and safety education from nationally certified child passenger safety technicians at no charge.
Child seats will be provided, (while supplies last), to low-income families who have a need for them and meet guidelines set by the state Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.
Guidelines to meet before a child safety seat provided:
•Applicant must have his or her vehicle present
•Applicant must meet income eligibility requirements
•Applicant must receive education on child passenger safety
•Applicant must complete the manufacturer’s warranty card
•Applicant must sign an agreement form and waiver of liability form.
Call a certified child passenger safety technician at 518 828-3358 X 1293 for more information or visit the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office website at www.columbiacountysheriff.us/childseatsafety.html.
