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Criminal Investigation

Man, GF Learn Fate For Grisly Murder Of His 85-Year-Old Grandfather In Hudson Valley Man, GF Learn Fate For Grisly Murder Of His 85-Year-Old Grandfather In Hudson Valley
Man, GF Learn Fate For Grisly Murder Of His 85-Year-Old Grandfather In Hudson Valley A Rockland County man and his girlfriend have been sentenced for their roles in killing his 85-year-old grandfather, stealing his belongings and hiding his body in 2023, authorities said. Constantinos Doonan, 32, also known as “Dino,” and Jo-Ann Haughey, 28, both of New City, were convicted in the January 2023 killing of Constantinos Mastakouris at his home on Ruth Drive in New City, Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II said. On Tuesday, Dec. 3, authorities announced that Doonan was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison while Haughey received 15 years for ma…
New Update: More Victims Of 19-Year-Old Accused Rapist Come Forward In Westchester New Update: More Victims Of 19-Year-Old Accused Rapist Come Forward In Westchester
New Update: More Victims Of 19-Year-Old Accused Rapist Come Forward In Westchester A 19-year-old accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl after giving her alcohol in Westchester is now facing additional charges after new victims came forward, police said. New Rochelle resident Joey Valencia, who was originally arrested on Thursday, Nov. 7 in connection with the sexual assault of a young girl, has been charged with more crimes after more of his alleged victims contacted investigators, New Rochelle Police Captain J. Collins Coyne announced on Tuesday, Nov. 26.  According to Coyne, Valencia was originally charged following an investigation that began …
Woman Nabbed In $8K Fraudulent Check Case At Hudson Valley Credit Union: Police Woman Nabbed In $8K Fraudulent Check Case At Hudson Valley Credit Union: Police
Woman Nabbed In $8K Fraudulent Check Case At Hudson Valley Credit Union: Police A 20-year-old woman has been charged with two felonies after cashing a fraudulent check worth over $8,000 at a credit union in the region, authorities said.  The investigation began in Putnam County on Friday, Nov. 15, when a deputy took a complaint from an investigator with the Hudson Valley Credit Union about a fraudulent check cashed at the Mahopac branch in Putnam County, according to the Sheriff’s Office. A Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) investigator reviewed surveillance footage and other evidence, which quickly led to authorities identifying Xiomara Ortiz, a 20-year-old …
Update: Trooper Under Criminal Investigation Amid Doubts Over NY Highway Shooting Update: Trooper Under Criminal Investigation Amid Doubts Over NY Highway Shooting
Update: Trooper Under Criminal Investigation Amid Doubts Over NY Highway Shooting A New York State Police trooper who claimed someone shot him on a roadway in the region is now under criminal investigation amid growing doubts over his story. On Long Island, state police “have reason to believe that the incident did not occur the way it was reported” by trooper Thomas Mascia, an agency spokesperson told reporters Wednesday morning, Nov. 6. Police confirmed that the five-year department veteran is now the subject of both a criminal investigation and an internal probe being conducted by state police and the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office. Earlier Report: T…
Man Nabbed With Loaded Rifle, Drugs After Sending Threats In Hudson Valley: Police Man Nabbed With Loaded Rifle, Drugs After Sending Threats In Hudson Valley: Police
Man Nabbed With Loaded Rifle, Drugs After Sending Threats In Hudson Valley: Police A 56-year-old Hudson Valley man was caught with controlled narcotics and an illegally possessed weapon following an investigation into threatening messages, police said. Putnam County resident Kevin Willis of Southeast was arrested on Friday, Oct. 18 around 3:45 p.m. after he was found with narcotics and a firearm he was prohibited from having, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office announced on Wednesday, Oct. 23.  According to the Sheriff's Office, Willis's arrest followed a short investigation into threatening messages he had allegedly sent someone. While deputies questioned him, they l…
Teacher Accused Of Kissing Student Returned To Hastings HS After Retirement Announcement Teacher Accused Of Kissing Student Returned To Hastings HS After Retirement Announcement
Teacher Accused Of Kissing Student Returned To Hastings HS After Retirement Announcement A former teacher accused of taking a student behind a high school auditorium curtain in Westchester and kissing them returned to the district in a partial capacity for a year after announcing his retirement, officials said.  Hartsdale resident Michael Rubino, who taught music with Hastings Public Schools for over 20 years, was arrested on Wednesday, Sept. 11 on charges connected to his alleged unwanted touching and kissing of an underage student at Hastings High School, according to the Westchester County District Attorney's Office.  Earlier Report - Former Teacher…
Woman Caught Years After Fleeing Crash That Killed Man Near Westchester Trailway: Police Woman Caught Years After Fleeing Crash That Killed Man Near Westchester Trailway: Police
Woman Caught Years After Fleeing Crash That Killed Man Near Westchester Trailway: Police Years after a crash that left a man dead near a Northern Westchester bicycle trail, a 41-year-old woman has been accused of fleeing the scene after hitting him, police announced.  Bronx resident Glenys Manana-Rodriguez surrendered herself to Yorktown Police on Monday, Sept. 16 on charges connected to a fatal crash that happened within the town in August 2020, the department announced on Thursday, Sept. 19.  On the day of the crash, Aug. 23, 2020, a man who had been riding a bicycle was struck by an unknown vehicle in the area of Birdsall Drive where it intersects the North County …
Westchester's  Sean 'Diddy' Combs Now Facing Sex Trafficking, Racketeering Charges: Feds Westchester's  Sean 'Diddy' Combs Now Facing Sex Trafficking, Racketeering Charges: Feds
Westchester's Sean 'Diddy' Combs Now Facing Sex Trafficking, Racketeering Charges: Feds Following several lawsuits accusing him of sexual assault and other abuses, successful hip-hop producer and New York native Sean "Diddy" Combs now faces federal sex trafficking charges, officials announced.  Combs, a 54-year-old New York City native who grew up in Westchester County in Mount Vernon, was arrested on Tuesday morning, Sept. 17 on a three-count indictment, according to the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.  According to federal officials, beginning as far back as 2008, Combs ran a criminal enterprise that involved sex trafficking, forced…
Man Wanted In Fatal Westchester Stabbing Nabbed After Fleeing State: Police Man Wanted In Fatal Westchester Stabbing Nabbed After Fleeing State: Police
Man Wanted In Fatal Westchester Stabbing Nabbed After Fleeing State: Police A man wanted in connection with a stabbing in Westchester that left a 37-year-old victim dead was caught in another state, officials announced.  Mount Vernon resident Ronald "Eueu" Hechavarria, age 34, was arrested in connection with a stabbing on Thursday, Aug. 1 that happened on Union Avenue in Mount Vernon, city officials announced on Monday, Sept. 16.  Earlier Report - 37-Year-Old Man Dies After Stabbing In Mount Vernon: Suspect At Large According to officials, on the day of the stabbing, at around 10:20 p.m., officers from the Mount Vernon Police Department responded to…
Gilgo Beach Murders: New Images Of 'Asian Doe' Released In Effort To ID Male Victim Gilgo Beach Murders: New Images Of 'Asian Doe' Released In Effort To ID Male Victim
Gilgo Beach Murders: New Images Of 'Asian Doe' Released In Effort To ID Male Victim Investigators are hoping newly released images will lead to the identification of another victim in the Gilgo Beach serial murders. On Long Island, the Gilgo Beach Task Force distributed facial reconstructions of who they've long referred to as "Asian Doe" during a press conference in Brentwood on Monday morning, Sept. 16. Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said the man’s skeletal remains were found along Ocean Parkway in Gilgo Beach on April 4, 2011, though it’s believed he “suffered a violent death” sometime before 2006. Earlier Report: Heuermann Used 'Planning Doc' …
Suspect Nabbed, Victim ID'd After Young Woman Found Dead In Westchester Residence Suspect Nabbed, Victim ID'd After Young Woman Found Dead In Westchester Residence
Suspect Nabbed, Victim ID'd After Young Woman Found Dead In Westchester Residence A suspect is in custody after a young woman was found dead inside a residence in Westchester. At about 10:15 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, police received a call regarding an incident in New Rochelle in an apartment at 55 Clinton Place. Officers responded and found Meisha Williams, a 30-year-old woman, dead from an apparent gunshot.  New Rochelle PD patrol officers were able to quickly secure the scene and locate people with information.  Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division, responded and took over the investigation. After processing the crime scene and interview…
Grandmother Kills Ex-Daughter-In Law Who Was Teacher In Westchester In Murder-Suicide: Reports Grandmother Kills Ex-Daughter-In Law Who Was Teacher In Westchester In Murder-Suicide: Reports
Grandmother Kills Ex-Daughter-In Law Who Was Teacher In Westchester In Murder-Suicide: Reports A 45-year-old New Jersey native and Westchester County, NY middle school teacher was shot and killed by her ex-husband's 65-year-old mother, who then turned the gun on herself in New York City, multiple news outlets say. Marisa Galloway — who hails from Wildwood, NJ and worked as a special education teacher in Ardsley, NY — was shot and killed by Kathleen Leigh near Gracie Mansion on Friday morning, July 26, NYPD brass said at a news briefing later that day. The NYPD said it happened amid a custody battle between Galloway and her ex-husband, whose mother was identified as Leigh, over their …
Westchester's Sean 'Diddy' Combs Subject Of New Federal Criminal Investigation: Report Westchester's Sean 'Diddy' Combs Subject Of New Federal Criminal Investigation: Report
Westchester's Sean 'Diddy' Combs Subject Of New Federal Criminal Investigation: Report A federal criminal investigation is focusing on well-known hip-hop artist and longtime New Yorker Sean "Diddy" Combs, according to a report by NBC.  Combs, a 54-year-old New York City native who grew up in Westchester County in Mount Vernon, was told that he is a focus of an ongoing criminal investigation being conducted by federal authorities in the Southern District of New York, NBC reported.  The outlet added that as part of the probe, a federal grand jury is hearing evidence. There is nothing to suggest that charges are coming, though.  Combs has not received a lett…
Man With Outstanding Warrants Robs Hastings-On-Hudson Home, Ties Up Victims: Police Man With Outstanding Warrants Robs Hastings-On-Hudson Home, Ties Up Victims: Police
Man With Outstanding Warrants Robs Hastings-On-Hudson Home, Ties Up Victims: Police After a long investigation, a 29-year-old man has been charged in connection with an armed robbery at a Westchester residence, police announced.  Brandon Scerri, age 29, who is currently homeless with a last known address in Dobbs Ferry, was arrested on Wednesday, June 26 in connection with a burglary that happened in Hastings-on-Hudson on Saturday, May 11, according to Hastings-on-Hudson Police Chief David Dosin.  On the day of the incident at around 5:20 a.m., police received a 911 call from a resident with an address on Broadway (Route 9) who reported her house was being burgla…
Homicide Suspect At Large After Westchester Incident That Left Man Dead Homicide Suspect At Large After Westchester Incident That Left Man Dead
Homicide Suspect At Large After Westchester Incident That Left Man Dead Authorities are asking for help from the public in finding a man believed to have been involved in a Northern Westchester homicide.  The Peekskill Police Department is currently searching for Walter F. Bustos-Solis, who they believe was involved in an incident that happened on Monday, June 10, the department announced on Tuesday, June 18.  On the day of the incident, at around 3:40 a.m., Peekskill officers responded to an altercation on the 900 block of Main Street in the city and found a male victim, identified as Carlos Rodriguez, with severe cuts to the lower part of his body.&…
Suspected Gilgo Beach Serial Killer Rex Heuermann To Be Charged With Fifth Murder, Report Says Suspected Gilgo Beach Serial Killer Rex Heuermann To Be Charged With Fifth Murder, Report Says
Suspected Gilgo Beach Serial Killer Rex Heuermann To Be Charged With Fifth Murder, Report Says The man accused in the Gilgo Beach serial killings will be charged with a fifth murder, CBS News reports. Long Island resident Rex Heuermann, of Massapequa Park, is expected to be indicted on the additional charge in Suffolk County Court on Thursday, June 6, sources told the outlet. Additional details about the charge, including the alleged victim’s identity, were not immediately available. Earlier Report: Gilgo Beach Murders: Pizza Crust Helped Nab Suspect Who Allegedly Taunted Victim's Family The news comes just weeks after a team of investigators – including officials from New Y…
Stalking, Forcible Touching At Department Stores: Hudson Valley 18-Year-Old Charged Stalking, Forcible Touching At Department Stores: Hudson Valley 18-Year-Old Charged
Stalking, Forcible Touching At Department Stores: Hudson Valley 18-Year-Old Charged A teenager has been charged in connection to multiple incidents allegedly involving stalking and inappropriate touching at department stores in the Hudson Valley. The New York State Police announce the arrest of Jayden Rivers, age 18, from Monroe, New York. Rivers was charged with Forcible Touching and Stalking 3rd degree. New York State Police say an investigation revealed that the 18-year-old victimized women at stores in the Orange County area. Authorities did not reveal the precise names of the stores.  Jayden Rivers, of the town of Monroe, was charged with: Forcible touching, S…
Criminal Investigation Opened In Helicopter Crash Killing NY National Guard Members: Report Criminal Investigation Opened In Helicopter Crash Killing NY National Guard Members: Report
Criminal Investigation Opened In Helicopter Crash Killing NY National Guard Members: Report Officials have launched a criminal investigation into a National Guard helicopter crash near the southern border that killed two members from New York and a third victim, ABC News reports. The incident – which saw a UH-72 Lakota helicopter go down near Rio Grande City, Texas, on Friday, March 8 – is now the focus of an investigation by the Starr County Sheriff’s Office into whether there was any criminal wrongdoing, officials told the outlet. That investigation is separate from a parallel probe being conducted by the Department of Defense. So far, authorities have not publicly said what cau…
Victim Critically Injured In Stabbing On Street In Westchester: Suspect In Custody Victim Critically Injured In Stabbing On Street In Westchester: Suspect In Custody
Victim Critically Injured In Stabbing On Street In Westchester: Suspect In Custody A man was hospitalized in critical condition following a stabbing that happened on a street in Westchester, officials announced. The incident happened in Mount Vernon on Lorraine Avenue, where a male victim was found with multiple stab wounds, Mount Vernon city officials announced on Friday, March 29.  The man was taken to Jacobi Medical Center, where he remains in critical condition.  A suspect was later taken into custody in connection with the stabbing. Their name and charges have not been released.  The investigation into the incident is still ongoing, officials said. A…
Remains Of Westchester Couple Found Scattered At Sites On Long Island Remains Of Westchester Couple Found Scattered At Sites On Long Island
Remains Of Westchester Couple Found Scattered At Sites On Long Island This story has been updated. Detectives investigating the deaths of two people from Westchester County whose severed remains were found at a Long Island park have found additional body parts at two more locations. Suffolk County Police said human remains were located in West Babylon, in a wooded area along Lakeway Drive near Troy Avenue, and at Bethpage State Park on Tuesday, March 5. Both scenes were processed by homicide detectives and members of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office. The remains are believed to be those of the same victims whose severed limbs, including a woman’…
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 …
Around 20 Gunshots Fired After Funeral At Mount Pleasant Cemetery: Police Around 20 Gunshots Fired After Funeral At Mount Pleasant Cemetery: Police
Around 20 Gunshots Fired After Funeral At Mount Pleasant Cemetery: Police Police are searching for those involved in a shooting incident that happened at a Northern Westchester cemetery following an internment ceremony.  The incident happened on Saturday, Feb. 10 around 3 p.m., when shots were fired at the Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla at 273 Lakeview Ave., according to Mount Pleasant Police Chief Paul Oliva. After receiving several 911 calls reporting the shooting, officers rushed to an area in the cemetery near the Tower Gate off Grasslands Road (Route 100) and determined that around 20 gunshots had been fired shortly after the conclusion of an internment c…
Suspect At Large After Shots Fired In Broad Daylight At Vehicle On Busy Westchester Roadway Suspect At Large After Shots Fired In Broad Daylight At Vehicle On Busy Westchester Roadway
Suspect At Large After Shots Fired In Broad Daylight At Vehicle On Busy Westchester Roadway A suspect is at large after shots were fired in broad daylight at a vehicle on a busy roadway in Westchester. The incident happened 11:45 a.m. Monday, Jan. 8 in Yonkers in front of 104 S. Broadway (Route 9). That's when a male suspect fired two shots at the vehicle parked at the location, Yonkers Police Department Sgt. Robert Spink said. A vehicle passenger who is believed to be the intended target then exited the vehicle and fled into the Yonkers City Court.  Members of the Yonkers Police Department and New York State Court Officers immediately responded and secured t…
Man Kills Victim After Being Evicted From His Westchester Apartment: Here's His Sentence Man Kills Victim After Being Evicted From His Westchester Apartment: Here's His Sentence
Man Kills Victim After Being Evicted From His Westchester Apartment: Here's His Sentence A 23-year-old man will spend decades in prison for fatally shooting his former roommate after he was evicted from his Westchester apartment where he had been living rent-free, officials said. Bronx resident William Pryor was sentenced to 25 years to life in state prison for murdering his 29-year-old friend and former roommate Marquis Muniz in 2022, the Westchester County District Attorney's Office announced on Friday, Dec. 8. According to the DA's Office, on March 3, 2022, around 3:40 p.m., Pryor shot Muniz 10 times with a .40 caliber pistol in Muniz's Yonkers …
Accused 'Serial' Drug Dealer From Westchester Nabbed After Yearlong Investigation Accused 'Serial' Drug Dealer From Westchester Nabbed After Yearlong Investigation
Accused 'Serial' Drug Dealer From Westchester Nabbed After Yearlong Investigation A yearlong investigation in the region has led to a new arrest of an accused "serial" drug dealer with police saying a significant connection of cocaine, fentanyl and heroin discovered in connection to the case. The probe into cocaine and crack cocaine being sold in Ulster County was launched in November 2022 by the City of Kingston Police Department and Town of Ulster Police Department Special Investigations Unit (SIU) in response to a growing number of both fatal and non-fatal overdoses of a suspected substance sold in glassine envelopes marked with a “Moet stamp.” "These stamp…
George Santos Dodges Expulsion From House: 'Victory For Due Process' George Santos Dodges Expulsion From House: 'Victory For Due Process'
George Santos Dodges Expulsion From House: 'Victory For Due Process' New York Rep. George Santos, who admitted to lying about his background and is facing nearly two dozen federal criminal charges, is claiming victory after an effort to expel him from Congress failed. The freshman Republican lawmaker from Long Island, whose 3rd District represents parts of Nassau County and Queens, easily survived a resolution brought by his fellow New York Republicans to oust Santos from the House on Wednesday, Nov. 1. The resolution failed with 179 members voting in favor and 213 voting against. Nineteen members voted “present.” Earlier Report: George Santos Pleads Not…
Man Shot At Residence In Westchester: Suspect At Large, Police Say Man Shot At Residence In Westchester: Suspect At Large, Police Say
Man Shot At Residence In Westchester: Suspect At Large, Police Say Authorities have begun an investigation into a shooting incident that left a man injured at a residence in Westchester, police said.  The incident happened on Monday, Aug. 21 just before 2 p.m., when Yonkers Police officers responded to a residence on West Delano Avenue after receiving a report that someone had been shot, according to Detective Sergeant Frank DiDomizio. Arriving officers soon found a man with a gunshot wound to the leg. First responders then gave him medical aid and brought him to an area hospital.  The victim is expected to survive, DiDomizio said. Yo…
17-Year-Old Assault Suspect Caught With 5 Loaded Handguns In Westchester: Police 17-Year-Old Assault Suspect Caught With 5 Loaded Handguns In Westchester: Police
17-Year-Old Assault Suspect Caught With 5 Loaded Handguns In Westchester: Police A 17-year-old from Westchester faces numerous charges after they were caught in possession of five loaded handguns during an assault investigation, police said.  The teenager's arrest resulted from a search of a Mount Vernon residence conducted on Wednesday, Aug. 9 around 5 a.m. as part of an investigation into a past assault, according to Mount Vernon Police.  The search, conducted by the Mount Vernon Detectives Division, the Mount Vernon Emergency Service Unit, and the FBI Safe Streets Taskforce, led to authorities finding five loaded semiautomatic firearms, police sai…
New Westchester Murder-Suicide Update: Renowned Doctor Shoots Baby, Then Herself, Police Say New Westchester Murder-Suicide Update: Renowned Doctor Shoots Baby, Then Herself, Police Say
New Westchester Murder-Suicide Update: Renowned Doctor Shoots Baby, Then Herself, Police Say An investigation by New York State Police is ongoing after detectives say a renowned doctor killed her infant child and then herself in Northern Westchester County.The incident happened around 7 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 5 in the Granite Springs section of the town of Somers. New update: Murder-Suicide Involving 40-Year-Old Doctor, Baby Stuns Northern Westchester Community A preliminary state police investigation revealed that Dr. Krystal Cascetta "entered her child’s room and shot her baby and then turned the gun on herself," state police said in a statement, adding that the "scene is con…
New Details: Child Saw Shooting That Left Father Dead In Westchester, DA Says New Details: Child Saw Shooting That Left Father Dead In Westchester, DA Says
New Details: Child Saw Shooting That Left Father Dead In Westchester, DA Says Officials have released new details about a shooting in Northern Westchester that left a 53-year-old father dead.  Peekskill resident Reginald McClure, age 39, was indicted for his role in a May 2023 shooting that killed 53-year-old Dutchess County resident Ernest Wilson of Poughkeepsie, the Westchester County District Attorney's Office announced on Monday, July 24.  Earlier Report - New Update: Fatal Shooting Victim ID'd, Suspect Caught In Peekskill According to the DA's Office, on the day of the shooting, Sunday, May 21, McClure allegedly confronted and chas…
Duo Found With Gunshot, Stabbing Wounds Near Gas Station In Westchester After Dispute Duo Found With Gunshot, Stabbing Wounds Near Gas Station In Westchester After Dispute
Duo Found With Gunshot, Stabbing Wounds Near Gas Station In Westchester After Dispute Authorities are investigating after two men were found suffering from gunshot and stabbing wounds near a gas station in Westchester.  The incident happened on Thursday, July 21 around 9:30 p.m., when Yonkers Police responded to the area of 354 Nepperhan Ave. after receiving a report of shots fired, according to Detective Sergeant Frank DiDomizio.  Once they arrived at the scene, which was located near both a Shell gas station and the Shop Smart grocery store, officers found one male victim with a gunshot wound to his leg, and the other with a stab wound to his abdomen. Both …