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Gun, Drug Bust: Suspect Tries Climbing Out Window To Flee In Westchester, Police Say
A 29-year-old man who tried to escape police through a first-floor window in Westchester was quickly caught and found with a stolen gun, drugs, and illegal weapons parts, authorities said.
The suspect’s failed escape attempt happened around 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, when Westchester County Police Narcotics Unit detectives and Mount Vernon Police officers arrived at his Pearsall Drive residence to execute a search warrant, Westchester County Police announced on Saturday, March 1.
According to police, as officers knocked on the door, the suspect climbed out a window—only to be immedi…
Northeast Cities Among Most Diverse In US: Here's What A New Study Says
The US population is rapidly diversifying, with cities in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic at the forefront, according to a new study.
WalletHub released its 2025 ranking of the nation's Most Diverse Cities on Wednesday, Feb. 26. Three Maryland communities topped the list of 501 locations, which were evaluated based on socioeconomic, cultural, economic, household, and religious diversity.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 10.2 percent of Americans identified as multiracial in 2020, a sharp increase from just 2.9 percent in 2010.
"The most diverse cities demonstrate diversity in many …
Second International Fugitive Extradited To Westchester In Week, Police Say
For the second time in a week, Westchester County Police detectives have taken custody of an international fugitive wanted for committing serious crimes in the county, authorities announced.
Just days after 52-year-old Galo Herrera was extradited from Mexico to face rape and sexual assault charges, law enforcement officials successfully returned another wanted fugitive to Westchester—this time from Colombia, Westchester County Police announced on Friday, Feb. 28.
On Thursday, Feb. 27, law enforcement officials extradited Juan Cuartos Bustos, 25, from Colombia, bringing him back to the Unite…
Westchester Girl, 13, Dies: Remembered As 'Bright Light' By Community
A community in Westchester is grieving the loss of 13-year-old Avayah Almond, who died on Friday, Feb. 21.
Almond's death was announced on Monday, Feb. 24 by Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard, who said she died from suicide.
"As a community, we must work together to support our young people and families who are suffering in silence or trying to navigate challenges and systems that are not easy," Patterson-Howard said, adding that Avayah was a "bright young light."
She also said Avayah's family, friends, and classmates are "devastated" by the loss.
In th…
Loaded Guns, High-Capacity Magazines: Man Charged After Westchester Weapons Bust, DA Says
A Westchester man faces multiple weapons charges after being caught with loaded firearms and large-capacity magazines, prosecutors announced.
Malachi Beccan, age 27, of Mount Vernon, was arraigned in Westchester County Court on Thursday, Feb. 13, following an indictment on weapons charges, the Westchester County District Attorney's Office announced.
According to court documents, Beccan was found in possession of two loaded firearms—a Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol and a Cobray 9mm pistol—on Jan. 23, 2025. He was also allegedly in possession of five large-capacity magazines.
He w…
14-Year-Old Shot Dead: Man Who Provided Gun In Westchester Murder Gets Jail Time
A Yonkers man will spend decades in prison for his involvement in the killing of 14-year-old Zyaire Fernandez in March 2023, officials announced.
Phillip Ferrell, age 48, was sentenced on Thursday, Jan. 16 to 25 years in prison in connection with the fatal shooting of Fernandez in Mount Vernon on March 9, 2023, the Westchester County District Attorney's Office announced.
According to the DA's Office, Ferrell provided his 9 mm pistol to his stepson, 23-year-old Tyrese Coghiel, and instructed him to "do what you gotta do." Shortly after, Coghiel used the weapon to fatally shoot Fe…
Another Doc On Past Westchester Resident Diddy Sets Premiere Date: Here's Where, When To Watch
A new docuseries exploring allegations against music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs is set to premiere this month, shedding light on decades of troubling claims surrounding the New York native.
Investigation Discovery (ID) announced that "The Fall of Diddy," a multi-part docuseries chronicling Combs' meteoric rise in music and entertainment and his allegations of sexual assault, violence, and other misconduct, will air on Monday, Jan. 27, and Tuesday, Jan. 28, from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET/PT.
Born in Harlem and raised in the Westchester County city of Mount Vernon, Combs, age 55, be…
Former Corrections Officer From Westchester Took Bribes To Smuggle Drugs In Prison: Feds
A Mount Vernon resident and former corrections officer at Rikers Island has pleaded guilty to accepting bribes to smuggle drugs into the jail, federal authorities announced.
Ghislaine Barrientos, age 37, admitted to her role in a scheme to bring narcotics, including cocaine and synthetic cannabinoids, into Rikers Island in exchange for thousands of dollars in bribes, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Wednesday, Jan. 8.
Barrientos, formerly employed by the New York City Department of Correction, conspired with others to smuggle cocaine, s…
Fourth Suspect Nabbed In Fatal Shooting Of 22-Year-Old In Westchester (Update)
A fourth suspect has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a 22-year-old Mount Vernon man at a public housing complex in New Rochelle, police announced.
Ali Mohammed, age 21, of Mount Vernon, was taken into custody on Wednesday, Jan. 8, after turning himself in with the assistance of community members, according to the New Rochelle Police Department.
Mohammed is accused of being the gunman in the fatal shooting of David Smith, which occurred at the Heritage Homes complex on Rhoda Quash Lane on Monday, Jan. 6, around 10:45 a.m.
Smith was found by police sufferi…
New Doc On Past Westchester Resident Diddy Drops Trailer: 'I Didn't Want To Be Around Him'
An upcoming documentary on New York native Sean 'Diddy' Combs has just released a new trailer, and it already seems like the film will shed new light on the hip hop mogul's alleged dark side.
Peacock's "Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy," which will be released on Tuesday, Jan. 14, dropped its first trailer on Thursday, Jan. 2.
The film will offer a "raw, exclusive look" at the star, according to Peacock, and will also feature "never-before-seen footage and stories from those who know him best."
"Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy sheds light on his childhood, rise to fame, and …
Brewery Closes In Westchester: 'Don’t Have Resources To Keep Going,
As the New Year begins, a Westchester brewery is marking the end of a five-year journey filled with creative beers and cherished memories.
Alternative Medicine Brewing Co., located in Mount Vernon, permanently closed after its final days of business on Friday, Dec. 27, and Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024.
The brewery had been a fixture in the community since it opened in a previously disused space in 2019. Known for its creative beers and welcoming atmosphere, the brewery became a gathering place for friends, family, and craft beer enthusiasts.
In a heartfelt message to suppo…
