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New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services

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Shootings, Murders, Other Crimes In Decline In Westchester, Officials Say Shootings, Murders, Other Crimes In Decline In Westchester, Officials Say
Shootings, Murders, Other Crimes In Decline In Westchester, Officials Say Westchester residents can breathe a little easier—crime rates are in decline across the county, including shootings, murders, and robberies, according to officials.  In an announcement on Wednesday, Oct. 16, Westchester County Executive George Latimer unveiled data from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services showing a decline in crime rates.  According to the report, year-to-date shootings are down 34.5 percent from 29 shootings in January to September 2023 to 19 shootings in January to September 2024. This means there were 2.1 shootings per month in 2024, t…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Alert Issued For Missing Yonkers Teen Alert Issued For Missing Yonkers Teen
Alert Issued For Missing Yonkers Teen Authorities are asking for the public's help in finding a missing 18-year-old man who was last seen in Westchester.  Jasiah Jones was reported missing on Thursday, Aug. 15 after last being seen on Jackson Avenue in Yonkers on Wednesday, Aug. 14 at around 10:20 p.m., according to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services.  Jones, who is 5-foot-5 and 150 pounds, is believed to be suicidal and may be in need of medical attention, officials said.  He is a Black man with black hair and brown eyes. Jones was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and white sneakers,…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Alert Issued For 19-Year-Old Missing Westchester Woman Alert Issued For 19-Year-Old Missing Westchester Woman
Alert Issued For 19-Year-Old Missing Westchester Woman Authorities are searching for a woman with autism who has been missing from Westchester for several days.  Michelle Higgs, age 19, was last seen on South Central Avenue in Hartsdale at around 3 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11, according to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services.  Higgs, who has autism, was last seen wearing a burgundy sweater, a white t-shirt, blue jeans, and tan moccasins.  She is described as 5-foot-5 and 150 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes.  According to authorities, Higgs is believed to be in the local area and is attracted to…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Police Department In Westchester To Be Outfitted In Body Cams Police Department In Westchester To Be Outfitted In Body Cams
Police Department In Westchester To Be Outfitted In Body Cams A Northern Westchester town has authorized outfitting its police department with body-worn cameras. In an announcement on Wednesday, June 5, the Yorktown Town Board said it has approved the purchase of body cameras for the Yorktown Police Department as part of an over $478,000 contract with Axon Enterprises.  Officers are expected to begin wearing the cameras during the summer.  Additionally, the five-year contract also includes the purchase of cloud storage and taser-like devices for the department, officials said.  The purchases follow a report on the town's police depart…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Crime Rates Down In Westchester, New Report Says: Here's How Much Crime Rates Down In Westchester, New Report Says: Here's How Much
Crime Rates Down In Westchester, New Report Says: Here's How Much An all-new report compiled by New York state officials has revealed that crime rates in Westchester have decreased over the last few years. The new report, released by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, shows a "notable reduction in unlawful activities" in Westchester between 2017 and 2022, County Executive George Latimer announced on Wednesday, Oct. 11.  According to the report, the total index crime in the county decreased by 5.2 percent, and the total amount of violent crime decreased by 15.7 percent from 2017 to 2022. The report also contained informatio…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Child Rapist 'Godson' Sexually Abused 15-Year-Old In Hudson Valley, Feds Say Child Rapist 'Godson' Sexually Abused 15-Year-Old In Hudson Valley, Feds Say
Child Rapist 'Godson' Sexually Abused 15-Year-Old In Hudson Valley, Feds Say A registered "sexually violent" offender who was once convicted of raping a 7-year-old girl is now accused of sexually abusing another child in the region. Curtis Ellington, age 33, of Junction City, Kansas, was arraigned on child sex crimes charges in federal court in White Plains on Thursday, June 1. According to the US Attorney’s Office in the Southern District, Ellington slept at the 15-year-old victim’s Orange County home in April 2023, and engaged in sexual activity with them. Earlier Report: 'Sexually Violent' Offender Convicted Of Raping Girl, 7, Reports Move In Middletown Pr…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Repeat Offender: Man Uploads Child Porn To Social Media, Gets Years In Prison In Westchester Repeat Offender: Man Uploads Child Porn To Social Media, Gets Years In Prison In Westchester
Repeat Offender: Man Uploads Child Porn To Social Media, Gets Years In Prison In Westchester A sex offender from Northern Westchester who was already on probation for another offense will spend years in prison after sharing child pornography on social media.  Yorktown resident Dylan Rodriguez, age 31, was sentenced on Tuesday, March 7 to three to six years in state prison for sharing child pornography online, the Westchester County District Attorney's Office announced.  Rodriguez, who was already on probation for another sex offense at the time of his arrest, uploaded a video of an approximately five-year-old female child engaged in sexual conduct to Kik, an onl…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Westchester Sex Offender Shares Child Porn On Social Media, Gets Years In Prison Westchester Sex Offender Shares Child Porn On Social Media, Gets Years In Prison
Westchester Sex Offender Shares Child Porn On Social Media, Gets Years In Prison An already-registered sex offender from Westchester County was sentenced to years in prison for sharing child pornography on social media.  Yonkers resident Demetrious Kotopoulos, age 41, was sentenced to three to six years in state prison for sharing and possessing child pornography, Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocah announced on Tuesday, Jan. 31.  Kotopoulos, who was already on probation for a prior sex offense conviction, uploaded a file of a nude child engaged in sexual conduct to the social media messaging platform Discord on two occasions between March 2…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Seen Him Or This Car? Alert Issued For Missing Westchester Man Seen Him Or This Car? Alert Issued For Missing Westchester Man
Seen Him Or This Car? Alert Issued For Missing Westchester Man Seen him? The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services issued an alert to the public as they attempt to locate a potentially vulnerable 27-year-old man who was last seen in Westchester. Ricardo Hernandez, who suffers from autism and could be suicidal, was last seen at 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 7 on Herriot Street in Yonkers. At the time he was last seen, Hernandez was driving a 2020 black Ford Mustang with the license plate JRX-9710. At the time he went missing, Hernandez was wearing a white shirt, blue jeans, and white sneakers, officials said. Anyone with information regarding…

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by Zak Failla
News
Here's How You Can Check Sex Offenders In Area Before Trick Or Treating Here's How You Can Check Sex Offenders In Area Before Trick Or Treating
Here's How You Can Check Sex Offenders In Area Before Trick Or Treating Parents in New York can make use of an online tool to ensure that neighborhoods are safe before their kids head out to trick-or-treat on Halloween on Friday, Oct. 31. The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services allows area residents to search by city, by neighborhoods, or even by individual streets to check out a list of registered sex offenders where their kids may be trick-or-treating. New York State’s Sex Offender Registry was created by the state’s Sex Offender Registration Act. It is intended to provide the public with information on the status and location of sex offender…

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by Zak Failla
News
Sex Offender Convicted Of Raping Drugged Victim Reports Move Into Area Sex Offender Convicted Of Raping Drugged Victim Reports Move Into Area
Sex Offender Convicted Of Raping Drugged Victim Reports Move Into Area A registered sex offender convicted of raping a drugged victim and was busted with child porn has reported a move in Westchester County. The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services issued an alert this week to Westchester residents regarding the residency of 35-year-old Arthur O'Dwyer, who has reported a move to an apartment on Harriman Avenue. The Division of Criminal Justice Services has assigned O'Dwyer as a level two threat, which means he is at "moderate risk of a repeat offense." According to the Division of Criminal Justice Services, O'Dwyer was arrested by the Californ…

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by Zak Failla
News
Missing Westchester Man Found Missing Westchester Man Found
Missing Westchester Man Found Update: A 65-year-old man who went missing in Westchester has been found. Thomas Ross had last been seen on midnight, Wednesday July 24. Authorities announced he had been located late Wednesday afternoon. Original report: A 65-year-old man has gone missing in Westchester and authorities are asking the public's help in locating him. The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services issued an alert on Wednesday, July 24 for Thomas Ross, a “vulnerable adult with schizophrenia who is disoriented and confused and in need of medical attention.” Ross was last seen on Overlook Terrace …

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by Zak Failla
Politics
NY Sex Offenders Don't Have To Disclose Facebook Accounts To Law Enforcement, Court Says NY Sex Offenders Don't Have To Disclose Facebook Accounts To Law Enforcement, Court Says
NY Sex Offenders Don't Have To Disclose Facebook Accounts To Law Enforcement, Court Says People convicted of sexual offenses in New York will not have to disclose their status and will be permitted to use their Facebook accounts provided they don’t use a false name. The New York State Supreme Court unanimously made the ruling on Thursday, June 27, after a man from Ticonderoga was charged for failing to disclose to state officials that he used the social media website. His case has since been dismissed. The question arose regarding Arthur Ellis, Jr., who was convicted of a sexual offense in 2011 in Essex County and was obligated to disclose that he had a Facebook account when he…

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by Zak Failla
News
Sex Offender Convicted Of Overpowering, Raping, Teen Girl Reports Move To New Rochelle Sex Offender Convicted Of Overpowering, Raping, Teen Girl Reports Move To New Rochelle
Sex Offender Convicted Of Overpowering, Raping, Teen Girl Reports Move To New Rochelle A registered sex offender convicted of raping an 18-year-old girl has reported a move in Westchester County. The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services issued an alert this week to Westchester residents regarding the residency of 52-year-old Raul Vilcapoma, who has moved from Valhalla to North Avenue in New Rochelle. The Division of Criminal Justice Services has assigned Vilcapoma as a level two threat, which means he is at "moderate risk of a repeat offense." According to the Division of Criminal Justice Services, Vilcapoma "immediately and physically overpowered" his teenag…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Here's What Hudson Valley County Saw An Increase In Crime Here's What Hudson Valley County Saw An Increase In Crime
Here's What Hudson Valley County Saw An Increase In Crime New data from The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services has listed several Hudson Valley counties for having the highest crime rates in the state, with one seeing an increase. The data encompasses statistics surrounding index crimes, which include violent crimes like murder as well as property crimes like burglary. Though the data revealed that crime as a whole is on the decline, it also brought awareness to a total of five Hudson Valley counties with higher crime rates. Here are the counties that saw an increase in crime around the Hudson Valley, along with their five-year c…

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by Valerie Musson
Lifestyle
'Sexually Violent' Offender Reports Move Into Yonkers From Manhattan 'Sexually Violent' Offender Reports Move Into Yonkers From Manhattan
'Sexually Violent' Offender Reports Move Into Yonkers From Manhattan A registered "sexually violent" offender convicted of attempting to rape a woman in New York has reported a move. The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services issued an alert this week to Westchester residents regarding the residency of 39-year-old John Thomas, has moved from Manhattan to Highland Avenue in Yonkers. The Division of Criminal Justice Services has assigned Thomas as a level two threat, which means he is at "moderate risk of a repeat offense." He has also been designated as a "sexually violent offender." According to the Division of Criminal Justice Services, Thoma…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
'Predicate' Sex Offender Reports Move To Yonkers 'Predicate' Sex Offender Reports Move To Yonkers
'Predicate' Sex Offender Reports Move To Yonkers A registered "predicate" sex offender convicted of sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl has reported a move into Westchester County. The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services issued an alert this week to Westchester residents regarding the residency of 41-year-old Devin Best, who has moved to a residence on Van Cortlandt Park Avenue in Yonkers. The Division of Criminal Justice Services has assigned Best as a Level 3 threat, which means he is a “high-risk repeat offender and possible threat to public safety.” He has also been designated as a predicate sex offender. According t…

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by Zak Failla
News
Former Counselor Convicted Of Abusing Patient Reports Move In Westchester Former Counselor Convicted Of Abusing Patient Reports Move In Westchester
Former Counselor Convicted Of Abusing Patient Reports Move In Westchester A former social worker at a guidance center who was convicted of sexually abusing a patient incapable of consenting has reported a move in Westchester. The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services issued an alert this week to local residents regarding the residency of 48-year-old Nelson Acevedo, who has moved from Long Island City to a residence on Albany Post Road in Montrose. The Division of Criminal Justice Services has assigned Acevedo, a former counselor at The Guidance Center of Westchester, as a level two threat, which means he is at "moderate risk of a repeat offense." …

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by Zak Failla
News
'Sexually Violent' Ex-Westchester Kung Fu Instructor Reports Move 'Sexually Violent' Ex-Westchester Kung Fu Instructor Reports Move
'Sexually Violent' Ex-Westchester Kung Fu Instructor Reports Move A registered "sexually violent" offender convicted of sexually abusing four young girls while he was a kung fu instructor in Northern Westchester has reported a move into Putnam County. The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services issued an alert this week to Westchester and Putnam residents regarding the residency of 75-year-old Frank DeMaria, who has moved from Valhalla to a residence on Fairway Drive in Mahopac. (Note: the residence is in Mahopac, and is not Fairview Court in Carmel Hamlet.) The Division of Criminal Justice Services has assigned former Ossining resi…

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by Zak Failla
News
Seen Her? Alert Issued For Missing Area Teen Seen Her? Alert Issued For Missing Area Teen
Seen Her? Alert Issued For Missing Area Teen Have you seen her? Officials in the Hudson Valley are attempting to locate a teenager who has been missing for more than two months. The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services issued an alert for 15-year-old Desiarree Gairy, who was reported missing in Poughkeepsie on June 11. Officials said that she has been known to travel to Newburgh and Albany. Gairy was described as a 5-foot-2 African American girl with black hair and brown eyes, weighing approximately 130 pounds. She was last seen wearing a pink tank top, gray and black leggings, and black and white Van sneakers. Anyon…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Superintendent: Level 3 Sex Offender Was On Property Of Westchester School Superintendent: Level 3 Sex Offender Was On Property Of Westchester School
Superintendent: Level 3 Sex Offender Was On Property Of Westchester School Some new safety measures are set to be introduced in the Greenburgh Central School District after a Level 3 sex offender was spotted walking around the campus of an elementary school in the district. Parents were alerted last month by Schools Superintendent Tahira DuPree Chase that a 27-year-old man who is registered as a sex offender in Westchester was on the campus of the Richard J. Bailey School, leading to a month-long investigation that was launched early in May. The suspect’s address, according to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services’ state sex offender registry, i…

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by Zak Failla
News
Sex Offender Convicted Of Filming Victims In Eastchester Reports Move Sex Offender Convicted Of Filming Victims In Eastchester Reports Move
Sex Offender Convicted Of Filming Victims In Eastchester Reports Move A Westchester County man who allegedly made months’ worth of secret tapes of his friends' families for sexual arousal in Eastchester has changed addresses in Mamaroneck. The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services issued an alert on Friday to Westchester County residents regarding the residency of 46-year-old David Petruccelli, who has moved into an apartment on Willow Street in Mamaroneck. Petruccelli was arrested in 2013 for allegedly installing tiny surveillance cameras that captured private moments of his victims, a 35-year-old female and three males, ages 35, 5 and 3. He i…

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by Daily Voice
News
Former Swim Instructor Busted With Child Porn Reports Move To White Plains Former Swim Instructor Busted With Child Porn Reports Move To White Plains
Former Swim Instructor Busted With Child Porn Reports Move To White Plains A former swim instructor at the JCC of Mid-Westchester who was busted with child pornography and registered as a sex offender has reported an address change. The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services issued an alert this week to Westchester residents regarding the residency of 37-year-old Rhony Sanchez, who has moved from Elmsford to a residence on Central Avenue in White Plains. The Division of Criminal Justice Services has assigned Rhony as a level two threat, which means he is at "moderate risk of a repeat offense." Sanchez, a former Yonkers resident, served as …

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by Daily Voice