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Police & Fire
Man Caught Stealing From Truck In Westchester At Large After Missed Court Date: Police Man Caught Stealing From Truck In Westchester At Large After Missed Court Date: Police
Man Caught Stealing From Truck In Westchester At Large After Missed Court Date: Police A man caught stealing from a pickup truck in Westchester is at large after missing his court date, police announced. Brooklyn resident Raymondo Sepulveda was found in the driver's seat of a pick-up truck in the area of Central Park Avenue and Midland Terrace in Yonkers on Thursday, March 28 just before 2 a.m., Yonkers Police announced on Friday, April 26.  When confronted by officers, Sepulveda admitted the truck was not his before police discovered he had stolen several items from inside. He was then arrested and charged with fourth-degree grand larceny and third-degree unau…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Popular Westchester Corrections Officer Dies At Age 40 Popular Westchester Corrections Officer Dies At Age 40
Westchester Corrections Officer Eleanor Birritella Dies Shock and sadness are spreading following the sudden death of Eleanor Birrittella, a well-known corrections officer in Westchester. Birrittella died on Saturday, April 20, according to Hector Lopez, the president of the New York Hispanic American Law Enforcement Organization. A cause of death had not yet been released. Online records show Birrittella was 40 years old and lived in Yonkers. "Officer Birrittella had a smile that lit up the place," Lopez said in announcing her death. "She loved her job. I will miss her, we will all miss her." The entire WCOBA family is mourning the t…

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by Cecilia Levine
Lifestyle
'Hollywood On Hudson': Filming For CBS's 'Blue Bloods' Takes Place In Westchester 'Hollywood On Hudson': Filming For CBS's 'Blue Bloods' Takes Place In Westchester
'Hollywood On Hudson': Filming For CBS's 'Blue Bloods' Takes Place In Westchester A city hall in Westchester was transformed into a film set for the popular television show "Blue Bloods."  Filming for the hit CBS show took place at Yonkers City Hall, which was portrayed as the "New York Supreme Court," Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano said on Tuesday, April 16.  The scenes filmed at city hall will be used in the seventh episode of the show's 14th season, which will air on CBS on Friday, April 26 at 10 p.m.  "Yonkers is truly Hollywood on Hudson and I'm thrilled to welcome productions to our city," Spano said of the filming, adding, "I couldn't help but watch some…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Over $250K Raised For Families Of Deputy, Cop Killed In Shootout On Quiet Suburban NY Street Over $250K Raised For Families Of Deputy, Cop Killed In Shootout On Quiet Suburban NY Street
Over $250K Raised For Families Of Deputy, Cop Killed In Shootout On Quiet Suburban NY Street More than a quarter of a million dollars has been raised to support the families of a police officer and sheriff's deputy killed in a shootout with a suspect who also died on a quiet suburban street in upstate New York earlier this week. The two officers were  Onondaga County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Hoosock, age 37, and Syracuse Police Officer Michael Jensen, age 29. Hoosock is survived by his wife, Caitlin, and their three young children, ages 7, 5, and 3. As of Wednesday morning, April 17, a Fund the First drive for the families of the two has pulled in around $255,000 of a go…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Police Officer, Sheriff's Deputy, Suspect Killed In Shootout On Suburban Street In Upstate NY Police Officer, Sheriff's Deputy, Suspect Killed In Shootout On Suburban Street In Upstate NY
Police Officer, Sheriff's Deputy, Suspect Killed In Shootout On Suburban Street In Upstate NY Two police officers were killed overnight in a shooting on a suburban street in upstate New York. Click here for a new, updated story: Over $250K Raised For Families Of Deputy, Cop Killed In Shootout On Quiet Suburban Street In NY The incident happened in Onondaga County in the village of Liverpool, located just north of Syracuse, shortly after 7 p.m. Sunday, April 14. According to the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office, Syracuse Police Officers encountered a suspicious vehicle at Emerson Avenue and Hamilton Street and attempted to stop it. However, the driver refused to stop and fle…

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by Joe Lombardi
Police & Fire
Scammers Posing As NYSP Troopers, Agency Warns Scammers Posing As NYSP Troopers, Agency Warns
Scammers Posing As Nysp Troopers, Agency Warns New York State Police are sounding the alarm over scammers posing as troopers in order to con victims out of their money. In an alert issued Tuesday, April 9, the agency said fraudsters employ a variety of tactics to con their victims, including demanding payment for a missed court date, jury duty, or other legal matter. The phony cops have also been known to claim there is a warrant for the victim’s arrest and threaten to apprehend them unless a fine is paid. In some cases, scammers have directed the victim to buy a prepaid money transfer card and give them the card number. “They might s…

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by Michael Mashburn
Police & Fire
Scammers From NY Thinking They Were Collecting $60K Land Behind Bars In Maryland: Sheriff Scammers From NY Thinking They Were Collecting $60K Land Behind Bars In Maryland: Sheriff
Scammers From NY Thinking They Were Collecting $60K Land Behind Bars In Maryland: Sheriff A couple of New Yorkers tried to pull a fast one on a woman in Maryland, but were ultimately apprehended after getting greedy and attempting to go to the well one too many times.  The Washington County Sheriff's Office was advised this week about a scam involving a pair who had been collecting large amounts of cash from a Hagerstown woman, prompting an investigation that led to the arrests of Jinghai Fang and Binbin Ge. In late March, investigators say that the woman received a notification on her tablet that one of her accounts had been hacked, so she called the supplied number and fo…

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by Zak Failla
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
Suspicious Vehicle Prompts Police Response In White Plains Suspicious Vehicle Prompts Police Response In White Plains
Suspicious Vehicle Prompts Police Response In White Plains Police have released more information about an investigation in a Westchester neighborhood that was captured in a video posted online.  In an announcement on Wednesday, April 10, the White Plains Police Department said they were aware of a video posted on the Nextdoor platform by a resident of the Rosedale section of the city who filmed officers checking on car doors in the area.  The department explained that the investigation had been prompted by reports of a suspicious vehicle possibly stealing from cars.  However, the investigation ultimately determined that this "suspic…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Man Assaults FBI Officer In Westchester, Gets Nearly 2 Decades In Prison Man Assaults FBI Officer In Westchester, Gets Nearly 2 Decades In Prison
Man Assaults FBI Officer In Westchester, Gets Nearly 2 Decades In Prison A 27-year-old man will spend nearly two decades in prison for assaulting a Federal Bureau of Investigation officer while leading authorities on a chase and firing gunshots into a crowd in Westchester.  New Rochelle resident Darren Smith, age 27, was sentenced on Tuesday, April 2 to 230 months in prison for assaulting an FBI officer during a September 2020 pursuit in Yonkers, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced. According to federal officials, on September 25, 2020, Yonkers Police officers pulled over the car Smith had been driving. He then spe…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Police Commissioner Helps Officers Subdue Erratic Man In Westchester Police Commissioner Helps Officers Subdue Erratic Man In Westchester
Police Commissioner Helps Officers Subdue Erratic Man In Westchester A police commissioner in Westchester made sure he had the backs of his fellow officers while they helped subdue a man acting erratically. The incident happened in Yonkers on Monday, April 1, when an officer on a traffic post in the city's Getty Square area saw a man damaging trees and knocking down traffic safety equipment, according to Detective Sergeant Frank DiDomizio.  The officer then approached the man to help him and get him evaluated, as he was acting in a way that could cause injury to himself or others, DiDomizio said. At this point, Yonkers Police Commissioner Chr…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Former NYPD Officer From Westchester Gets Prison Time For Helping Gang Leader Former NYPD Officer From Westchester Gets Prison Time For Helping Gang Leader
Former Nypd Officer From Westchester Gets Prison Time For Helping Gang Leader A former New York City Police officer from Northern Westchester will spend years in prison for warning gang members about a federal investigation into their activity as well as helping the group's leader escape arrest for murder, officials said.  Mohegan Lake resident Gina Mestre, age 33, was sentenced to 70 months in prison for obstructing a federal investigation into the Shooting Boys gang and helping the group's leader evade justice for murder, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Friday, March 29. Earlier Report - Former N…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Former Westchester Cop Claims He Was Fired For Ticketing Woman With PBA Card: Lawsuit Former Westchester Cop Claims He Was Fired For Ticketing Woman With PBA Card: Lawsuit
Former Westchester Cop Claims He Was Fired For Ticketing Woman With PBA Card: Lawsuit A former Westchester police officer from the Hudson Valley is suing county officials and claiming that he was unlawfully fired for ticketing a woman who flashed a PBA card.  Rockland County resident Joseph Saetta, a former Westchester County Police officer, filed a lawsuit in federal court against the county's Department of Public Safety, its commissioner, Terrance Raynor, and County Executive George Latimer, on Friday, March 8.  According to the lawsuit complaint, Saetta, who previously spent time as an officer in Mount Vernon and Pleasantville, joined the Westchester County…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Delivery Driver Charged After Confronting High School Security In Westchester Delivery Driver Charged After Confronting High School Security In Westchester
Delivery Driver Charged After Confronting High School Security In Westchester A delivery driver was taken into custody after nearly hitting security officers with her car at a Northern Westchester high school following a confrontation with them, police said. The incident began on Wednesday, March 13 at around 12:30 p.m., when security personnel at Byram Hills High School in Armonk confronted a delivery woman who parked her car in an unauthorized vehicle, according to North Castle Police.  When she was told to move her car to the proper location for deliveries, the woman became belligerent and drove off. She then failed to comply with security personnel's directi…

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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
Man Posing As Masseuse Performs Sex Act On Victim In Westchester: Police Man Posing As Masseuse Performs Sex Act On Victim In Westchester: Police
Man Posing As Masseuse Performs Sex Act On Victim In Westchester: Police A 45-year-old man faces criminal charges after posing as a professional masseuse and performing a sex act on an unsuspecting victim during a session in Westchester, police announced. New Rochelle resident Ascencion Rojas-Quintero was arrested on Thursday, March 7 on criminal sex act charges, New Rochelle Police announced on Friday, March 8. According to the department, at around 11:45 p.m. on Thursday, detectives arrested Rojas-Quintero after he allegedly performed a criminal sex act on a victim while posing as a professional masseuse and therapist.  Rojas-Quintero is b…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Man Gets Prison Time After Killing Victim In Westchester, Then Avoiding Police For Year Man Gets Prison Time After Killing Victim In Westchester, Then Avoiding Police For Year
Man Gets Prison Time After Killing Victim In Westchester, Then Avoiding Police For Year A 34-year-old man who spent a year eluding authorities will spend decades in prison for fatally shooting a 20-year-old victim in Westchester.  Yonkers resident Jonathan Planas was sentenced to 22 years in state prison for the October 2020 fatal shooting of Alvaro Vigueras Medina, Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocah announced on Thursday, Feb. 22.  At around 1:30 a.m. on the day of the shooting, Oct. 10, 2020, Planas got out of a Mercedes Benz and fired several shots at Medina while he was walking on Lawrence Street in Yonkers. Medina was hit once …

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Retired Detective Who Served In Westchester For 25 Years Dies Retired Detective Who Served In Westchester For 25 Years Dies
Retired Detective Who Served In Westchester For 25 Years Dies A community in Westchester is mourning the loss of a retired police detective who served with dignity for decades.  Keith Dooley of Little River, South Carolina, who served as a detective with the Port Chester Police Department for 25 years, died on Monday, Feb. 5 at the age of 71, according to his obituary.  Born in 1952, Dooley graduated from Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains in 1970 and joined the Air Force before eventually beginning a career in law enforcement with Port Chester Police.  He remained with the department for 25 years and was recogni…

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Beloved Retired Police Sergeant From Westchester Dies: 'Steadfast Patriarch' Beloved Retired Police Sergeant From Westchester Dies: 'Steadfast Patriarch'
Beloved Retired Police Sergeant From Westchester Dies: 'Steadfast Patriarch' A community in Northern Westchester is mourning the loss of a beloved former police sergeant who left quite a lasting impact.  Retired Ossining Police Sergeant Richard Parthemore Sr. died in Florida on Monday morning, Jan. 29, the department announced on social media.  Parthemore joined the Village of Ossining Police Department in 1968 and dedicated himself to serving his community until he retired from the Town of Ossining Police Department decades later in 1988.  Serving Ossining ran in Parthemore's family, as his brother, Jeffery, and son, Richard Part…

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Beloved Police Officer From Westchester Dies Suddenly At Age 50 Beloved Police Officer From Westchester Dies Suddenly At Age 50
Beloved Police Officer From Westchester Dies Suddenly At Age 50 A community in Westchester is mourning the sudden loss of a police officer who died just shy of her 17-and-a-half-year anniversary with her department.  Yonkers Police Officer Laurine Williams died suddenly on Monday, Jan. 22 after a battle with medical complications, the department announced on Wednesday, Jan. 31.  Williams, who died only two weeks after her 50th birthday, was born in Gainesville, Florida in 1974. After growing up in the South, she eventually moved to New York and first became an officer with the New York City Police Department.  Years later, in 2007, …

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Scam Alert: Suspect Demanding Payment For Missed Jury Duty, White Plains Police Warn Scam Alert: Suspect Demanding Payment For Missed Jury Duty, White Plains Police Warn
Scam Alert: Suspect Demanding Payment For Missed Jury Duty, White Plains Police Warn Authorities in Westchester are advising residents of a scam involving a suspect posing as law enforcement and demanding payment for missed jury duty.  The scheme was announced on Friday, Jan. 12 by White Plains Public Safety, which said that the scams have been reported in other jurisdictions.  According to police, victims of the scam will receive a phone call from someone claiming to be a law enforcement official. The caller will then tell the victim that they missed jury duty and will demand a payment.  Additionally, the suspect will tell the victim that if they do not sen…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Apparent Triple Murder-Suicide Involving PD Sergeant Leaves Westchester Community Stunned Apparent Triple Murder-Suicide Involving PD Sergeant Leaves Westchester Community Stunned
Apparent Triple Murder-Suicide Involving PD Sergeant Leaves Westchester Community Stunned Two communities in the region have been left shocked and saddened after a police sergeant was found dead along with his wife and two young sons inside a home in the Hudson Valley in an apparent murder-suicide. The chain of events unfolded Friday night, Dec. 29 in Westchester County when the Bronxville Police Department said it contacted the Clarkstown PD in Rockland County after 49-year-old Sergeant Watson Morgan did not show up for his evening shift. Morgan joined the Bronxville PD in 2007 after working the previous seven years with the NYPD. He was promoted to the Bronxville PD…

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by Joe Lombardi
Police & Fire
Police Officer Killed After Running Off Taconic State Parkway, Hitting Tree Police Officer Killed After Running Off Taconic State Parkway, Hitting Tree
Police Officer Killed After Running Off Taconic State Parkway, Hitting Tree A police officer was killed in a single-vehicle crash after running off the roadway in the region. Click here for a new, updated story: ID Released For Police Officer Killed In Taconic Parkway Crash The collision took place in Dutchess County around 6 p.m., Monday, Dec. 18 on the Taconic State Parkway in East Fishkill. Acting East Fishkill Police Department Chief Derrick Cuccia said the unnamed officer was investigating a possible fatal crash near the East Fishkill Police Department when the officer left to interview a victim at the hospital. While on the way to the hospital, the officer …

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by Kathy Reakes
Obituaries
Former Police Chief Of Department In Westchester, Veteran Dies Former Police Chief Of Department In Westchester, Veteran Dies
Former Police Chief Of Department In Westchester, Veteran Dies A former police chief from Connecticut who led a department in Northern Westchester is being remembered for his lifetime of public service. Fairfield County resident Fred Gambino, Jr. of Brookfield, the former chief of the North Castle Police Department, died on Sunday, Dec. 3 at the age of 86, the department announced on Monday, Dec. 11.  Born in White Plains in 1937, Gambino graduated from White Plains High School before going on to serve in the Marine Corps.  After this, he then began a long career in law enforcement by joining the New York State Police. He eventually joi…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Former NYPD Officer From Westchester Admits Helping Gang Leader Escape Justice: Feds Former NYPD Officer From Westchester Admits Helping Gang Leader Escape Justice: Feds
Former Nypd Officer From Westchester Admits Helping Gang Leader Escape Justice: Feds A former New York City Police officer from Northern Westchester has admitted to warning gang members about a federal investigation into their activity as well as helping the group's leader escape arrest for murder, federal officials said. Mohegan Lake resident Gina Mestre, a 33-year-old former NYPD officer, has pleaded guilty to charges relating to her obstructing a federal investigation into the Shooting Boys gang and helping the group's leader evade justice for murder, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Thursday, Dec. 7. Earlier Report -…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Police Chief Announces Retirement In Westchester: 'I Am So Proud' Police Chief Announces Retirement In Westchester: 'I Am So Proud'
Police Chief Announces Retirement In Westchester: 'I Am So Proud' A popular police chief in Northern Westchester has announced that he will be retiring from his position after more than two decades with his department.  Ossining Police Chief Kevin Sylvester announced his retirement from the department on Thursday, Dec. 7, which will become effective on Sunday, Dec. 31.  New, updated report - Ossining Police Department Names Interim Leader After Chief's Retirement In his announcement on social media, Sylvester said that his time as chief had been an "awesome ride."  "Every chief likes to stand up and say that they’ve got the…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Former Officer Avoids Prison Time After Stealing From Westchester Charity For Autistic Children Former Officer Avoids Prison Time After Stealing From Westchester Charity For Autistic Children
Former Officer Avoids Prison Time After Stealing From Westchester Charity For Autistic Children A former police officer and co-founder of a Westchester-based charity for autistic children has been sentenced after stealing $24,000 from his own organization named after his son, officials announced.  New Rochelle resident Christopher Greco, age 52, was sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge for stealing from Christopher’s Voice, Inc., a New Rochelle-based charity for autistic children that he co-founded, Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocah announced on Friday, Dec. 3. Earlier Report - Former Police Officer Steals $24K From New Rochelle Charity Fo…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Latest Update: 'No Indication Of Terrorism' In Double-Fatal Crash On Bridge Linking NY, Canada Latest Update: 'No Indication Of Terrorism' In Double-Fatal Crash On Bridge Linking NY, Canada
Latest Update: 'No Indication Of Terrorism' In Double-Fatal Crash On Bridge Linking NY, Canada New Update: IDs Released For Couple Killed In Fiery Crash On Bridge Linking NY, Canada Caught On Video There is no indication of terrorism after a car exploded after crashing near a bridge connecting the United States and Canada in New York on one of the year's busiest travel days, killing two people. The Thanksgiving Eve incident happened early Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 22 on the Rainbow Bridge at Niagara Falls. The explosion involved a car entering the US from Canada, according to the City of Niagara Falls. The explosion reportedly happened when the car accelerated to around 80 miles…

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by Joe Lombardi
Politics
Hochul Signs Controversial ‘Clean Slate’ Law Sealing Most Criminal Convictions Hochul Signs Controversial ‘Clean Slate’ Law Sealing Most Criminal Convictions
Hochul Signs Controversial ‘Clean Slate’ Law Sealing Most Criminal Convictions Millions of New Yorkers will soon have their criminal convictions sealed under new legislation meant to better help them find jobs and housing. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the “Clean Slate Act” into law during a ceremony in Brooklyn on Thursday, Nov. 16. Under the new law, those with misdemeanor convictions will have their records sealed three years after their release from incarceration, while felony convictions will be sealed after eight years. Earlier Report: Suffolk County DA Accuses Lawmakers Of 'Protecting Criminals' With Proposed 'Clean Slate' Bill Class A felonies, which include m…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
New Update: Missing CT 15-Year-Old Located In NY New Update: Missing CT 15-Year-Old Located In NY
New Update: Missing CT 15-Year-Old Located In NY Latest update: A 15-year-old Connecticut boy who went missing has been located in New York. Fairfield County resident Maxwell David Yeater had last been seen at the Newman’s Preservatory Trail off Bayberry Lane in Westport at about 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18. Early Sunday evening, Nov. 19, Westport Police announced he had been located in Manhattan in the afternoon. "Through the use of law enforcement sharing and social media platforms, the Westport Police Department was able to track Maxwell Yeater to a New York City Library in the vicinity of Grand Central Station," according to Wes…

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by Joe Lombardi
Police & Fire
Victim Shot At Gas Station In Hudson Valley: Suspect Caught, Police Say Victim Shot At Gas Station In Hudson Valley: Suspect Caught, Police Say
Victim Shot At Gas Station In Hudson Valley: Suspect Caught, Police Say A suspect has been apprehended following a shooting at a Hudson Valley gas station that left one person injured, police said. The incident happened in Putnam County on Friday evening, Nov. 10 in Kent at the Sunoco gas station at 1320 Route 52.  According to the Kent Police Department, arriving officers soon found a victim with a gunshot wound. A description of the suspect and their vehicle was then quickly given to authorities in the area.  With this information, the suspect was apprehended with help from New York State Police and the Putnam County Sheriff's Office. Their id…

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by Ben Crnic