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Putnam County Sheriff's Office

Police & Fire
Illegal School Bus Passing: Violators Will Soon Start Being Fined In Hudson Valley Illegal School Bus Passing: Violators Will Soon Start Being Fined In Hudson Valley
Illegal School Bus Passing: Violators Will Soon Start Being Fined In Hudson Valley Drivers in one Hudson Valley county caught illegally passing school buses will soon start receiving steep fines. Beginning on Sunday, April 28, drivers who pass a stopped school bus with flashing red lights in Putnam County will receive a violation notice in the mail, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office announced on Wednesday, April 24. These notices will contain a $250 fine for the first offense, which will increase for further violations. The announcement follows the beginning of the county's bus patrol program on Monday, April 1, which has been in a warning period. Since the start of the…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Student Holding Water Pistol Prompts Police Response At Northern Westchester School Student Holding Water Pistol Prompts Police Response At Northern Westchester School
Student Holding Water Pistol Prompts Police Response At Northern Westchester School Police conducted an extensive investigation after a student was seen sitting in the parking lot of a Hudson Valley high school holding what appeared to be a gun, authorities said. The incident began in Putnam County on Friday, April 19 around 12:15 p.m., when a Putnam Valley High School student reported that she had seen a boy sitting inside a car in the parking lot while holding what looked like a gun, according to the Putnam County Sheriff's Office. By the time the school resource officer was told, the suspect had already left the campus.  The Sheriff's Office then began an investig…

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Update: Funeral Arrangements Announced For Beloved Westchester Corrections Officer, Age 40 Update: Funeral Arrangements Announced For Beloved Westchester Corrections Officer, Age 40
Update: Funeral Arrangements Announced For Beloved Westchester Corrections Officer, Age 40 Funeral arrangement details have been announced for a beloved corrections officer from Westchester who was killed in a crash.  Westchester Correction Officer Eleanor Birrittella of Yonkers died on Saturday, April 20 in a crash at the age of 40, according to the New York Correctional Officers' Benevolent Organization. Earlier Report - Westchester Corrections Officer Eleanor Birritella Dies Birrittella had been a corrections officer for three years before her death and had also served with the Westchester County Board of Elections, according to the Westchester Republican Count…

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Beloved Sergeant, Army Vet From Hudson Valley Dies At 67: 'His Memory Will Continue To Inspire' Beloved Sergeant, Army Vet From Hudson Valley Dies At 67: 'His Memory Will Continue To Inspire'
Beloved Sergeant, Army Vet From Hudson Valley Dies At 67: 'His Memory Will Continue To Inspire' A sheriff's office in the Hudson Valley is mourning the loss of a retired sergeant and Army veteran who always followed his passions while also making time to serve his community.  Putnam County resident Doug MacCrae of Brewster died unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 17 at the age of 67, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office announced on Friday, April 19.  Known for his long career in law enforcement, MacCrae served with the Sheriff's Office as a Deputy and Sergeant for 25 years. He was also a Youth Officer and played a large role in developing Putnam's School Resource Progr…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Employee Uses Company Credit Card To Make $12K In Fraudulent Purchases In Hudson Valley: Police Employee Uses Company Credit Card To Make $12K In Fraudulent Purchases In Hudson Valley: Police
Employee Uses Company Credit Card To Make $12K In Fraudulent Purchases In Hudson Valley: Police A man faces a grand larceny charge after allegedly using his former employer's company credit card to make tens of thousands of dollars worth of unauthorized purchases in the Hudson Valley, police said. Dutchess County resident Joshua Queen of Hyde Park, age 42, was arrested by the Putnam County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday, April 10 on charges connected to his alleged unauthorized use of a company credit card belonging to his former Philipstown-based employer, the Sheriff's Office announced on Tuesday, April 16. According to authorities, in July 2023, a Putnam Sheriff's deputy responded t…

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by Ben Crnic
News
'Threat Environment' Prompts Proactive Measures In Place In Hudson Valley, Sheriff Says 'Threat Environment' Prompts Proactive Measures In Place In Hudson Valley, Sheriff Says
'Threat Environment' Prompts Proactive Measures In Place In Hudson Valley, Sheriff Says As tensions in the Middle East rise following Iran's attack against Israel, authorities in the Hudson Valley are taking precautionary measures to look out for suspicious activity and to keep residents safe. As a result of "heightened threat environments," the Putnam County Sheriff's Office will enact "proactive measures" to keep the county safe, including extra visibility at several pre-determined locations, authorities said.  These measures follow an aerial attack conducted by Iran against Israel on Saturday, April 13, which the country said was made in response to an Israeli strike a…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Northern Westchester Man Flown To Hospital After Being Ejected From Vehicle Northern Westchester Man Flown To Hospital After Being Ejected From Vehicle
Northern Westchester Man Flown To Hospital After Being Ejected From Vehicle A Northern Westchester man was flown to a hospital after being ejected from his vehicle in a Hudson Valley crash.  The incident happened in Putnam County on Saturday, April 13 just before 10:30 a.m., when a 67-year-old Yorktown Heights man was ejected from his motorcycle on Barger Street near Florence Road in Putnam Valley, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office said on Monday, April 15.  Arriving deputies soon found the man lying on the roadway and spoke with eyewitnesses, who said he had taken a left out of Florence Road and had headed south before losing control of his motorcycle f…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
'Loud Boom' Heard In Hudson Valley: Police Investigating 'Loud Boom' Heard In Hudson Valley: Police Investigating
'Loud Boom' Heard In Hudson Valley: Police Investigating Police searched an area in the Hudson Valley for evidence of an explosion after several residents reported hearing a mysterious loud booming noise, authorities said. New, updated report - Update: Police Still Investigating Booming Noise In Carmel The possible explosion was reported by residents in Putnam County on Saturday, April 14 just before 9 p.m., when both the Carmel and Kent Police Departments received calls reporting a loud noise in the Lake Carmel area. According to both departments, officers and deputies from the Putnam County Sheriff's Office searched the area for any damag…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Man Tries Fleeing Arrest After Trying To Entice Teen Into Sex In Hudson Valley: Police Man Tries Fleeing Arrest After Trying To Entice Teen Into Sex In Hudson Valley: Police
Man Tries Fleeing Arrest After Trying To Entice Teen Into Sex In Hudson Valley: Police A 20-year-old Connecticut man was apprehended after ramming police vehicles to escape arrest for trying to entice a 13-year-old victim into engaging in sexual activity in the Hudson Valley, authorities said.  Fairfield County resident Francisco Javi Gomez of Norwalk was arrested in Putnam County on Wednesday, April 3 in connection with an investigation that began on Friday, March 15, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office announced on Friday, April 12.  According to authorities, Gomez had been enticing a 13-year-old victim to engage in sexual activity with him through social medi…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
DWI Arrests: Deputy Injured After Being Hit By Drunk Driver In Hudson Valley, Sheriff Says DWI Arrests: Deputy Injured After Being Hit By Drunk Driver In Hudson Valley, Sheriff Says
DWI Arrests: Deputy Injured After Being Hit By Drunk Driver In Hudson Valley, Sheriff Says Several people face charges after driving drunk in the Hudson Valley, including a woman who struck a sheriff deputy's vehicle, authorities said.  The arrests happened in Putnam County between Friday, April 5, and Sunday, April 7, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office announced on Monday, April 8.  The first incident occurred on Friday, April 5 around 10:45 p.m., when a sheriff's deputy's vehicle was struck by another car that crossed into his lane while traveling north on Peekskill Hollow Road in Putnam Valley. The deputy suffered injuries to his eye and hand and was taken to Hudson …

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by Ben Crnic
News
Earthquake: Authorities In Westchester Warn Of Aftershocks Earthquake: Authorities In Westchester Warn Of Aftershocks
Earthquake: Authorities In Westchester Warn Of Aftershocks Did you feel it? Residents in Westchester and Putnam counties are among those along the East Coast abuzz about an earthquake that was felt late Friday morning, April 5. The quake, which originated in Hunterdon County, New Jersey in the borough of Lebanon about 60 miles west of midtown Manhattan, was felt across the Hudson Valley at 10:23 a.m., and measured 4.8 on the Richter scale, according to the US Geological Survey. Related Report - 4.8 Magnitude Earthquake Hits NY, Other Parts Of East Coast Shortly after the earthquake hit, several police departments across Westchester…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
K9 Helps Nab Man Caught With Child Porn In Hudson Valley: Authorities K9 Helps Nab Man Caught With Child Porn In Hudson Valley: Authorities
K9 Helps Nab Man Caught With Child Porn In Hudson Valley: Authorities A 53-year-old Hudson Valley man faces child pornography charges following a search of his residence, police announced. Putnam County resident John Towers of Mahopac was arrested on Friday, March 29 after he was caught in possession of images depicting the sexual abuse of children, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office announced on Tuesday, April 2.  According to the Sheriff's Office, Towers' arrest followed an investigation that began in February, when the office's Bureau of Criminal Investigation received information that a Town of Carmel resident had photos containing child pornography.…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Police, Firefighters To Conduct Exercise At School In Hudson Valley Police, Firefighters To Conduct Exercise At School In Hudson Valley
Police, Firefighters To Conduct Exercise At School In Hudson Valley Authorities are asking parents to avoid a Hudson Valley school during an upcoming scheduled exercise involving police and firefighters.  The exercise will be held in Putnam County on Tuesday, April 9 at Haldane Elementary School in Cold Spring, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office announced on Monday, April 1.  Several agencies will be involved in the exercise, including area police departments, the Cold Spring Fire Company and its Fire Police, and the Philipstown Volunteer Ambulance Corps.  All non-participants, including parents, are asked to avoid the school campus while th…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Update: Missing 26-Year-Old Hudson Valley Man Found Dead Update: Missing 26-Year-Old Hudson Valley Man Found Dead
Update: Missing 26-Year-Old Hudson Valley Man Found Dead A 26-year-old man from the Hudson Valley who had been missing for nearly two months has been found dead.  Putnam County resident Colin Albert Marma of Garrison, age 26, was found dead nearly two months after he was last seen on Friday, Feb. 2, according to an announcement by the Hope Alive 845 non-profit group on Thursday, March 28.  Earlier Report - Alert Issued For Missing 26-Year-Old Man From Garrison "Hope Alive 845 Team sends our love and condolences to the family who did everything humanly possible to find their son," the group said in their announcement, adding, …

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
2 Drunk Drivers Nabbed In Hudson Valley Over St. Patrick's Day Weekend: Police 2 Drunk Drivers Nabbed In Hudson Valley Over St. Patrick's Day Weekend: Police
2 Drunk Drivers Nabbed In Hudson Valley Over St. Patrick's Day Weekend: Police Two men, including a Fairfield County resident, face charges after they were caught driving while intoxicated in the Hudson Valley as part of a Saint Patrick's Day enforcement detail, police announced. The two arrests were announced on Wednesday, March 20 by the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, which conducted an increased drunk driving enforcement detail over Saint Patrick's Day weekend. The first arrest was made on Saturday, March 16 around midnight, when a sheriff's deputy saw a vehicle driving on Fair Street in Carmel that could not stay in its lane. The deputy then pulled the car over a…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
School Shooting Threat On Social Media Prompts Police Response In Hudson Valley School Shooting Threat On Social Media Prompts Police Response In Hudson Valley
School Shooting Threat On Social Media Prompts Police Response In Hudson Valley Several Hudson Valley schools were put in lockout after authorities were alerted of a school shooting threat that was posted on social media and shared by students, police said. The police response resulted from an incident in Putnam County on Thursday, March 14 around 7:45 a.m., when the school resource officer assigned to Brewster High School learned of a threatening message regarding a possible shooting that was posted on social media, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office said on Monday, March 18. Sheriff's deputies immediately responded to the school and enforced a lockout at all Bre…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Police Conduct Drills At Several Schools In Hudson Valley: 'No Cause For Alarm' Police Conduct Drills At Several Schools In Hudson Valley: 'No Cause For Alarm'
Police Conduct Drills At Several Schools In Hudson Valley: 'No Cause For Alarm' An increased law enforcement presence was seen at several schools in the Hudson Valley as police conducted a lockdown drill.  The drill was conducted in Putnam County on Wednesday, March 13 at around 8:30 a.m. at Mahopac High School, Mahopac Middle School, and Mahopac Falls Academy, Carmel Police announced.  At the time of the drill, an increased law enforcement presence from the Carmel Police Department and Putnam County Sheriff's Office was seen in the Mahopac Central School District. However, police said there was "no cause for alarm and no threat to the community." The drill…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Fugitive Caught With Meth After Lengthy Pursuit That Began In Westchester: Police Fugitive Caught With Meth After Lengthy Pursuit That Began In Westchester: Police
Fugitive Caught With Meth After Lengthy Pursuit That Began In Westchester: Police A fugitive wanted in another state was caught with methamphetamine after leading authorities on a long chase throughout the Hudson Valley in an unregistered vehicle with switched plates, police said. New Jersey resident Sean McDermott, age 34, of Hoboken, was arrested on Wednesday, March 6 following a pursuit that began in Westchester and ended in Putnam County, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office announced on Monday, March 11.  According to authorities, at around 12:15 p.m. on the day of McDermott's arrest, a vehicle that fled a traffic stop in Elmsford traveled into Putnam County…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Man Nabbed For Selling Psychedelic Mushroom Products At Hudson Valley Business: Police Man Nabbed For Selling Psychedelic Mushroom Products At Hudson Valley Business: Police
Man Nabbed For Selling Psychedelic Mushroom Products At Hudson Valley Business: Police A 39-year-old man was nabbed on drug charges after authorities found him selling psychedelic mushroom products at a Hudson Valley tobacco shop, police announced.  Putnam County resident Zhenxiu Lu of Brewster was arrested on Monday, March 4 after he was found to be selling psilocybin mushroom products at the business he worked at, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office announced on Thursday, March 7. According to the Sheriff's Office, in January 2024, investigators with the department's Narcotics Enforcement Unit determined that The Tobacco House of Zhang, located in Carmel at 1878 Ro…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Schools Searched In Hudson Valley After Accidental Alarm Activation: Police Schools Searched In Hudson Valley After Accidental Alarm Activation: Police
Schools Searched In Hudson Valley After Accidental Alarm Activation: Police Several school buildings in the Hudson Valley were searched following the accidental activation of an alarm, police said. The searches happened in Putnam County on Monday, Feb. 26 around 8:40 a.m., when the Putnam County Sheriff's Office received a Hold-In-Place alarm coming from the Brewster School District, authorities said.  Although the alarm was determined to have been tripped by accident, members of the Sheriff's Office and the New York State Police still conducted a sweep of the district's schools as a precautionary measure.  No threat currently exists to the schools, the …

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Update: More Details Emerge In Pharmacy Burglary In Bedford Update: More Details Emerge In Pharmacy Burglary In Bedford
Update: More Details Emerge In Pharmacy Burglary In Bedford Authorities have released more information about the early morning burglary of a Northern Westchester pharmacy.  The incident happened on Monday, Feb. 12 around 4:15 a.m., when a commercial burglar alarm was activated at the Bedford Pharmacy at 424 Old Post Rd. (Route 22).  Earlier Report - Pharmacy Burglaries Under Investigation In Bedford, Putnam Arriving officers soon found that the front glass door had been smashed and that suspects had entered the store and stolen numerous types of medicine before fleeing, according to Bedford Police Lt. Jeff Gulick.  Th…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Alert Issued For Missing 26-Year-Old Man From Hudson Valley Alert Issued For Missing 26-Year-Old Man From Hudson Valley
Alert Issued For Missing 26-Year-Old Man From Hudson Valley Authorities are asking for help from the public in locating a missing 26-year-old Hudson Valley man who may be in need of medical attention. New, updated report - Update: Missing 26-Year-Old Garrison Man Found Dead Putnam County resident Colin Albert Marma of Garrison, age 26, was last seen on Friday, Feb. 2, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office announced on Monday, Feb. 12.  Marma, a vulnerable adult who suffers from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt, black gym pants, red sneakers, and a black baseball cap.  He is described as …

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Pharmacy Burglaries Under Investigation In Bedford, Putnam Pharmacy Burglaries Under Investigation In Bedford, Putnam
Pharmacy Burglaries Under Investigation In Bedford, Putnam Authorities in the Hudson Valley are investigating two pharmacy burglaries and looking to see if they are connected, police said. New, updated report - Update: More Details Emerge In Pharmacy Burglary In Bedford The two incidents happened during the early morning hours on Monday, Feb. 12 in the Northern Westchester town of Bedford and the Putnam County town of Southeast, according to Bedford Police and the Putnam County Sheriff's Office.  The Bedford incident occurred at Bedford Pharmacy located at 424 Old Post Rd. (Route 22). Little information about the burglary has been releas…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Bullet Found On School Grounds In Hudson Valley, Causes Lockdown Bullet Found On School Grounds In Hudson Valley, Causes Lockdown
Bullet Found On School Grounds In Hudson Valley, Causes Lockdown Authorities are investigating after a bullet was found outside a middle school in the Hudson Valley, prompting the building to enter into a lockdown.  The incident happened in Putnam County on Thursday, Feb. 8, when a single bullet was found in a grassy area outside George Fischer Middle School in Carmel just before noon, according to Captain Michael Grossi of the Putnam County Sheriff's Office. The discovery prompted the school to go into lockdown for 45 minutes as authorities searched the building and grounds.  The investigation into the discovery is still ongoing, Gr…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Man Rushed To Hospital By Helicopter After Being Pinned Between Car, Building In Hudson Valley Man Rushed To Hospital By Helicopter After Being Pinned Between Car, Building In Hudson Valley
Man Rushed To Hospital By Helicopter After Being Pinned Between Car, Building In Hudson Valley A man was critically injured after becoming pinned between a car and a building in the Hudson Valley, firefighters said. The incident happened in Putnam County on Friday, Feb. 2 around 12:30 p.m., when a vehicle that had been put on a mechanical lift suddenly accelerated forward, pinning a man against a building in Carmel, according to the Lake Carmel Fire Department.  The exact location of the incident was not released.  Arriving first responders found the man with severe traumatic injuries and used mechanical systems to move the car and free him. He was then taken by Lake Carme…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Woman Killed After Crossing Into Oncoming Lane, Striking Car Head-On In Hudson Valley Woman Killed After Crossing Into Oncoming Lane, Striking Car Head-On In Hudson Valley
Woman Killed After Crossing Into Oncoming Lane, Striking Car Head-On In Hudson Valley A woman was killed in a head-on collision in the Hudson Valley that also left two young children injured as well, police announced.  The crash happened in Putnam County on Thursday, Jan. 25 around 6 p.m., when two vehicles collided in the town of Southeast in the area of 477 Tonetta Lake Rd. An arriving deputy found that one of the drivers was in immediate need of medical attention and began performing CPR and using an automated external defibrillator on her until she was taken to Putnam Hospital Center by Brewster EMS.  After arriving at the hospital, the driver, ident…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Woman Steals Merchandise, Hides It In Baby Stroller At Northern Westchester Store: Police Woman Steals Merchandise, Hides It In Baby Stroller At Northern Westchester Store: Police
Woman Steals Merchandise, Hides It In Baby Stroller At Northern Westchester Store: Police A 24-year-old woman faces criminal charges after stealing merchandise from a Northern Westchester store and hiding it in a baby stroller occupied by a 10-month-old child, police said. The arrest resulted from an incident that began in Yorktown on Tuesday, Jan. 23 around 1 p.m., when a theft happened at the Dick's Sporting Goods store in the Jefferson Valley Mall at 650 Lee Blvd., Yorktown Police announced on Tuesday, Jan. 30.  Responding officers soon conducted an investigation and were able to find the suspect's car. Authorities also determined that the suspect had stolen merchandise …

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Scammer Posing As Priest, Soliciting Gift Cards From Victims In Hudson Valley: Police Scammer Posing As Priest, Soliciting Gift Cards From Victims In Hudson Valley: Police
Scammer Posing As Priest, Soliciting Gift Cards From Victims In Hudson Valley: Police Authorities in the Hudson Valley are continuing to warn residents of a scammer who has been posing as a local priest to convince victims to purchase gift cards for them.  The warning was issued on Wednesday, Jan. 10 by the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, which said the scammer is continuing to "exploit the generosity of our community."  According to the Sheriff's Office, the scammer has been posing as a local priest over phone calls to solicit gift cards from victims. Those who receive such a call are warned to verify the identity of the person or organization claiming to be on th…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Increased Police Presence Scheduled For Several Hudson Valley Schools: 'No Emergency' Increased Police Presence Scheduled For Several Hudson Valley Schools: 'No Emergency'
Increased Police Presence Scheduled For Several Hudson Valley Schools: 'No Emergency' Several schools in the Hudson Valley are scheduled to have an increased law enforcement presence as part of a drill, police announced.  Three schools in the Putnam County will have an increased police presence on Thursday, Jan. 11 as part of a lockdown drill, the Carmel Police Department announced.  The three schools with increased presence will be Mahopac High School, Mahopac Middle School, and the Mahopac Falls Academy, the department said.  As part of the drill, officers and deputies from Carmel Police and the Putnam County Sheriff's Office will be at the school propertie…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
19-Year-Old With 3 Active Warrants Steals $8K Of Products From Hudson Valley Store: Police 19-Year-Old With 3 Active Warrants Steals $8K Of Products From Hudson Valley Store: Police
19-Year-Old With 3 Active Warrants Steals $8K Of Products From Hudson Valley Store: Police A 19-year-old woman involved with an organized retail theft group faces a heap of charges after stealing around $8,000 worth of products from a Hudson Valley store with a young accomplice, police said. The arrest resulted from an incident in Putnam County on Friday, Dec. 29, when deputies from the Putnam County Sheriff's Office's Narcotics Enforcement Unit saw a vehicle linked to the retail theft group parked outside an unnamed store in Southeast.  According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies soon saw a woman and a boy leave the store with merchandise and get into this vehicle…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Hudson Valley Anesthesiologist Drugs, Sexually Assaults Victim: Police Hudson Valley Anesthesiologist Drugs, Sexually Assaults Victim: Police
Hudson Valley Anesthesiologist Drugs, Sexually Assaults Victim: Police An anesthesiologist faces charges after allegedly giving anesthesia to a victim without her knowledge and sexually assaulting her, police announced. Putnam County resident Paul Giacopelli of Southeast, age 59, was interviewed and arrested on Saturday, Dec. 30 on sexual abuse charges, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office announced on Wednesday, Jan. 3.  According to authorities, on Friday, Dec. 29, the Sheriff's Office was told that a female victim known to Giacopelli had been given anesthesia without her knowledge and was then sexually assaulted. This happened multip…

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by Ben Crnic