By DIANE VALDEN
HUDSON—Hudson Police arrested Orlando Williams, 54, of Hudson on several felony counts, including one count of second degree attempted murder, a class B felony; second degree kidnapping, second degree strangulation, third degree criminal possession of a weapon and first degree criminal contempt, all class C felonies, March 15.
Columbia County 911 received an emergency call reporting an active domestic incident involving weapons March 14 at 10:24 p.m.
Hudson Police patrol units, along with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, promptly responded to the specified location. Upon arrival, officers interviewed the victim, who was visibly distressed and covered with mud.
According to the victim’s account, she was smoking a cigarette alone on her back deck when her ex-boyfriend, Mr. Williams, against whom she has an active court order of protection, surprised her. He allegedly forcibly grabbed her and covered her mouth to prevent her from yelling for help. He then allegedly dragged her against her will down a path to a wooded area behind the old John L. Edwards School, where he allegedly threatened to kill her.
During the ordeal, he allegedly attempted to stab and choke her. Fortunately, the victim’s current boyfriend dialed 911 and intervened, enabling her escape from her assailant. Mr. Williams allegedly fled the scene before the police arrived. The victim sustained minor injuries but declined medical attention.
On March 15, State Police located and detained Mr. Williams in Greene County. They subsequently transferred him to the custody of the Hudson Police. He appeared for arraignment in Hudson City Court before Judge Cheryl Roberts, who sent him to the Columbia County Jail with a later court return date.
Hudson Police received valuable assistance from the State Police (Catskill/Livingston) and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office during the investigation and apprehension process, according to a press release. Anyone with additional information pertinent to this case is urged to contact Hudson Police at 518-828-3388.
Stuyvesant
Columbia County 911 dispatched the Stuyvesant Fire Company for a public assistance call at the Lewis Sawyer Preserve, 1599 State Route 9J, Saturday, March 9 at 2 p.m.
A mother and her two children had entered the preserve, the tide had come in and they found themselves unable to safely leave due to high water levels, according to a Stuyvesant Fire Company Facebook post.
Members of the Stuyvesant Fire Company, Stuyvesant Falls Fire Company, State Police and Valatie Rescue Squad responded to the scene. Command was established by Stuyvesant Car 1—the first arriving apparatus. The crew of Rescue 52-47 grabbed appropriate equipment and prepared to enter the preserve. A crew of four members: Assistant Chief Andrew Montie, Rescue Captain Brandon Montie, Rescue Lieutenant Daniel Van Allen and Firefighter Hailey Van Allen-Hamm entered the preserve and began to make their way to the stranded subjects. Additional crews from Stuyvesant Fire Utility 65-74 staged at the preserve entrance.
Entering the preserve, rescuers found water varying in depth covering the wooden pathway through the preserve. At its highest level, water was found to be three feet deep. This made navigation through the preserve both treacherous and difficult, the post said.
Using a pike pole, ropes and various other tools, members were able to assure they stayed on the proper pathway and after about 30 minutes they were able to reach the mother and her youngsters, ages 2 and 4. They used ropes to keep everyone together. The two children were carried by rescuers and progress was made toward the preserve exit. After an additional 45 minutes due to the continually rising tide, rescuers, the mother and kids were able to safely get out of the preserve. The mother and children were turned over to the Valatie Rescue Squad and family members who had arrived on the scene.
To contact Diane Valden email dvalden@columbiapaper.com
Are you satisfied with your law enforcement?
HUDSON—The Columbia County Public Safety Committee invites residents of Columbia County to participate in a Law Enforcement Satisfaction Survey so the county can assess how local police agencies are performing during their encounters with the public. The committee asks that residents answer questions honestly based on their feelings, opinions and experiences with the following agencies: Columbia County Sheriffs Office; Town of Greenport Police; Village of Philmont Police and Town of Stockport Police.
Note that this survey does not include the State Police, the City of Hudson or the Village of Chatham Police departments or any other New York State Law Enforcement Agency.
Paper copies of this survey may be obtained at one’s local Town Clerk’s Office or online at https://forms.gle/N3pNGWWxm5pReyDHA.
Surveys will remain confidential and will be available to fill out from now to May 15. Results will be available to the public by July 1.
Columbia County 911 dispatched Canaan firefighters to the Canaan Sunoco, 12737 Route 22, for a Fed Ex delivery truck that ran into the gas pump causing gas to spill on the ground, March 18 at 5:42 p.m. State Police assisted on scene. Red Rock firefighters stood by in quarters. Firefighters were back in service at 6:15 p.m. Photo by RE Lindmark
