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Loaded Gun, Drug Residue Found In Capital Region Traffic Stop, Police Say
A police K9 helped state troopers uncover a loaded handgun and items with drug residue during a Northway traffic stop in the Capital Region, police said.
Nicholas D. Vanasse, 36, of Brownington, VT, was a passenger in the vehicle when troopers pulled it over on Interstate 87 in Round Lake on Sunday, Oct. 25, around 8:15 p.m., New York State Police said Thursday, Oct. 29.
The investigation uncovered an illegally possessed loaded handgun and multiple items containing drug residue, police said. Troopers seized the items and arrested Vanasse.
Vanasse was charged with second-degree weapons poss…
Newborn Found Dead In Movie Theater Toilet: Nearly 30 Years Later, Mom Faces Murder Charges
Nearly three decades ago, a newborn baby boy was found dead inside a Long Island movie theater bathroom.
On Wednesday, Oct. 28, his mother was arrested hundreds of miles away in Hampton, Virginia, as detectives cracked the 1996 cold case.
Michelle Chronick Tyson, 59, is facing multiple counts of second-degree murder in connection with the death of her newborn baby in November 1996 when she was 29 years old, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office.
Investigators say that at around 12:30 a.m. on Nov. 18, 1996, the newborn was found inside a toilet in the women's bathroom o…
Autopsy Results Released In Deaths Of Woman, Ex-Husband In New York: Police
Autopsy results in two suspicious deaths in New York separated by 200 miles were released Thursday, Oct. 29.
Mellissa K. Pelc-Lohr, 50, of Brushton, was killed Tuesday, Oct. 27 by a gunshot to the head, New York State Police said. Her death was ruled a homicide.
Norman E. Lohr Jr., 50, of Michigan, died from a self-inflicted gunshot to the head, according to state police. Lohr was Pelc-Lohr’s ex-husband, state troopers confirmed to the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle.
“Just days ago, I was celebrating my 30th birthday in Las Vegas with my mom, her boyfriend, and my brother. I never imag…
Cocaine, Weed, Guns Found In Large-Scale Police Operation In Capital Region: Troopers
Half a pound of cocaine and two handguns were seized as part of an expansive investigation across Schenectady County on Wednesday, Oct. 28, state police said.
Qasim K. Bradford and Ronald C. Anderson, both 47-year-old Schenectady men, were arrested following the searches, New York State Police said.
Troopers found more than half a pound of cocaine, cannabis, drug paraphernalia, and two illegal handguns when they searched a property rented by Bradford, according to authorities.
In another search at Anderson’s home in Schenectady, investigators found “felony-weight narcotics,” state police s…
Attempted Murder Suspects Arrested Days After Columbia County Shooting: State Police
Two men have been arrested for attempted murder following a shooting in the Capital Region, police said.
Devin Mackey, 23, and Demetries Mackey, 21, both of Hudson, are accused of shooting a 44-year-old man on Tuesday, Oct. 20 in Stockport, New York State Police announced Thursday, Oct. 29.
Police responded around 4:20 p.m. Oct. 20 to Hill Street in Stockport and located a man suffering from gunshot wounds, authorities said. The victim was rushed to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, state police said.
The Mackeys were arrested Monday, Oct. 26, according to state police. …
PhD Student Who Killed Infant, Abused Twin Baby Brother Sentenced
A former PhD student from New Jersey who killed her friend’s infant son and abused his twin brother was sentenced in Pennsylvania on Wednesday, Oct. 28, court records show.
Nicole Elizabeth Virzi, 32, of Saddle Brook, pleaded guilty to third-degree murder, aggravated assault, and endangering the welfare of children in the death of 6-week-old Leon Katz and injuries to his twin brother.
Leon was alert, behaving normally, and had no head injuries when his parents left him with Virzi at their Pittsburgh apartment, according to court documents obtained by Daily Voice on Thursday, Oct. 29.
His p…
More Than $50K In Copper Wire, Tools Stolen From Capital Region Power Plant: Sheriff
A thief stole more than $50,000 worth of copper wire and electrical tools from a Capital Region power plant, police said.
Stephen W. Abare, 32, of Corinth, was arrested Thursday, Oct. 8, following an investigation into a burglary at the Brookfield power plant on Spier Falls Road, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s office said.
The investigation began following a burglary complaint Monday, Sept. 21, at 7:35 a.m., authorities said.
Abare stole several spools of copper wire and electrical tools in addition to breaking into multiple office buildings on the property, investigators said. He also dama…
NYC’s ‘Daily Show’ Writer, Obama Speechwriter Kevin Bleyer Killed In PA Crash
A four-time Emmy-winning “Daily Show” writer who also penned jokes for former President Barack Obama was killed in a Pennsylvania car crash, his family announced on Tuesday, Oct. 27.
Kevin Bleyer, 54, was driving on a rural road in Millrift, Pike County, where he had a home, when the crash happened on Sunday, Oct. 25, his publicist told The Hollywood Reporter. No one else was hurt.
His wife, Nella Vera, remembered him as her “soulmate” and “partner in crime” in a heartbreaking tribute shared on his Facebook page.
“He had many public accomplishments and awards throughout his long and succes…
NY Police Chief's Son Killed In Motorcycle Crash After 12-Hour NJ Transit Shift
The 36-year-old son of a New York police chief has been identified as the victim of a Wayne, NJ, motorcycle crash last week.
Brian Philip Post, of Ringwood, died Friday, Oct. 23, in a crash involving his motorcycle, a Ford Transit van, and a Jeep Wrangler near Hamburg Turnpike and Black Oak Ridge Road around 7:14 a.m., authorities said.
Post, who worked in maintenance for NJ Transit in Paterson, was the son of Town of Goshen Police Chief James Post, according to a GoFundMe launched to support his family.
The Town of Goshen Police Department said Brian was heading home after finishing…
Ex-nypd Sergeant Who Drove Drunk In Fatal Hudson Valley Crash Gets Prison Time
A former NYPD sergeant from Orange County will spend time in prison for driving drunk in the wrong direction on the Taconic State Parkway in Westchester County, killing a 61-year-old doorman who was heading home from work.
Warwick resident Tiffany Howell, 48, was sentenced to four to 12 years in state prison on Wednesday, Oct. 28, in connection with the death of Manuel Boitel, 61, of Peekskill, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced.
Howell, who was an off-duty NYPD sergeant at the time of the crash, previously pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide and secon…
Woman Found Slain In NY Home, Suspect Dies After Police Chase 200 Miles Away: Nysp
A woman was found shot to death inside a New York home, and a suspect in the case died later the same day about 200 miles away after a police chase, authorities said.
Mellissa K. Pelc-Lohr, 50, of Brushton, was found dead around 8:45 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27 at a residence in Moira, New York State Police said.
Investigators quickly identified Norman E. Lohr Jr., 50, of Michigan, as a suspect in the case and searched for a red 2009 Chevrolet Silverado, according to state police. The vehicle was located around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in Lyons, about 200 miles southwest of Moira, according to authorit…
Conservative NY Influencer Charged In Minnesota Voting Stunt
Two conservative influencers said they were putting Minnesota's voter vouching law to an extreme test when they dressed in Muslim-style clothing, adopted fake accents, and filmed themselves at polling places. But after reviewing videos of the stunt, prosecutors said the pair had violated state election laws and charged both with felonies.
James Edward O'Keefe, 42, who grew up in Westwood, NJ, and Cam Higby, 26, of Gouverneur, NY, were each charged with felony unlawful voting and identity theft on Wednesday, Oct. 28, the Hennepin County Attorney's Office announced.
The charges stem from the …
Driver Hits 0.24% BAC Following Crash Report In Capital Region: Cops
A Capital Region driver’s BAC was measured at 0.24% following reports of a car crash in the area, police said.
Jennessa Frost, 49, of Lake George, was stopped after officers responded to a crash report on State Route 50 in Wilton around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s office said.
Frost initially refused a breath test, but her BAC was eventually measured at 0.24%, exactly three times the legal limit, according to the sheriff’s office.
Despite the initial report, investigators were unable to determine if Frost’s vehicle was actually involved in a crash, authorities…
1:30 A.M. ‘Domestic Incident’ At NY Home Leads To Two Felony Charges, Police Say
A Capital Region man facing a protection order was arrested during a middle-of-the-night domestic incident, police said.
Jacob E. Saunders, 23, of Malta, was booked after officers responded to a Malta residence around 1:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s office said Wednesday, Oct. 28.
Saunders violated the order of protection by “subjecting the victim to unlawful physical contact,” the sheriff’s office said.
Additionally, investigators said Saunders was a repeat offender and charged him with felony aggravated family offense, according to authorities. The charge means S…
Hudson Valley Man Lured Teen From NJ Home Before Accomplice Fired 12 Shots, Jury Finds
A 66-year-old New York man has been convicted of trying to kill a 19-year-old outside his mother's Nutley home in a Fourth of July ambush that left the teen shot four times, authorities announced Wednesday, Oct. 28.
Armando Villareal Mena, of Newburgh, NY, was found guilty Friday, Oct. 23, of first-degree conspiracy to commit murder, first-degree attempted murder, and second-degree aggravated assault in the shooting of Jahniel Perez, Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II said.
Mena and an accomplice drove from Newburgh to Perez's mother's Nutley home on July 4, 2025, prosecutors s…
Cellphone-Smashing Domestic Incident In Capital Region Leads To Repeat Offender’s Arrest: Cops
A Capital Region man violated an order of protection, stomped on the victim’s cellphone, and subjected them to unlawful physical contact, authorities said.
Raphael A. Germain, 36, of Wilton, was arrested after deputies responded to an active domestic incident on state Route 50 in Wilton around 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office said.
Germain broke the victim’s cellphone, which was valued at more than $250, by stomping on it, deputies said. He also committed unlawful physical contact with the victim, according to the sheriff’s office.
Germain was charged with a…
Nearly $3M Home Depot, Lowe’s Theft Ring Hit New York, 18 Other States: DA
A theft ring targeting Home Depot, Lowe’s, and other retailers caused nearly $3 million in losses across 19 states — including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Virginia — authorities announced on Tuesday, Oct. 27.
Eight men have been arrested and a ninth is wanted after investigators uncovered a network of more than 30 people handling thefts, transportation, storage, and resale of stolen merchandise, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele and Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said.
The group committed hundreds of thefts begi…
Murder Charge Reinstated For Ex-nypd Detective In Fatal GWB Shooting: Report
A retired NYPD detective from the Hudson Valley, NY accused of fatally shooting a father of two during a road-rage confrontation on the George Washington Bridge is once again facing a murder charge after a Manhattan grand jury returned an indictment, according to reports.
Victor Romero, 62, of Haverstraw, NY, was indicted on second-degree murder on Tuesday, Oct. 27, in connection with the shooting death of Koran Irvine, 46, of Valley Cottage, ABC7 reported.
The indictment marks a significant development in the case, as Romero had initially been charged with murder following the …
17-Year-Old Killed In Dirt Bike Crash In Hudson Valley, Police Say
A 17-year-old was killed in a dirt bike crash in the Hudson Valley, and an 18-year-old was seriously injured, state police said.
The 18-year-old was driving the bike through Hurley with the 17-year-old on the back on Friday evening, Oct. 23, New York State Police announced Tuesday, Oct. 27.
While the duo was traveling west on Main Street around 6:30 p.m., the driver tried to pass a 2015 Hyundai, investigators said. However, the Hyundai was making a left turn onto Schoolhouse Road at the same time, and the vehicles collided, police said.
Both teens were thrown from the dirt bike, and life-s…
$3.4M Medicaid Fraud Scheme: Hudson Valley Couple Gets Prison After Billing NY For Fake Trips
An Orange County couple who helped steal more than $3.4 million from New York's Medicaid program by billing for fake medical transportation trips will spend time in prison, prosecutors said.
Rohail Raja, 45, of New Windsor, was sentenced to six to 18 years in state prison on Tuesday, Oct. 27, following his guilty plea to first-degree grand larceny, according to Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler and New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.
Meanwhile, his wife, Shama Alam, 45, also of New Windsor, was sentenced to six months in jail and five years of probation…
Deadly Abuse, Neglect, And Distrust Of NY Girl, 7, Detailed In Lawsuit: ‘Mom Will Get Mad’
A 7-year-old girl warned school and county administrators that her legal guardian was abusing her months before her death, according to a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday, Oct. 27.
Despite the warning signs around Jor’Dynn Duncan’s case, the alleged abuse was never mentioned at a custody hearing, allowing her accused killer to gain full custody, the lawsuit said.
Jor’Dynn died Dec. 29, 2025, after horrific abuse at the hands of Emily Kelly and Kelly’s family, according to Suffolk County prosecutors and the lawsuit.
Jor’Dynn’s birth mom, Portia Duncan, filed the civil suit Tuesday in New York’…
Triplet, Nypd Recruit, 21, Killed In Queens Motorcycle Crash
A 21-year-old New Jersey native who was the youngest of triplets and training to become an NYPD officer was killed in a motorcycle crash in Queens, authorities said.
Caleb Ethan Park, of Brooklyn, lost control of his 2008 Triumph Street Triple motorcycle on the ramp from the eastbound Jackie Robinson Parkway to the northbound Van Wyck Expressway around 6 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, the NYPD said.
The motorcycle struck a concrete barrier on the right side of the ramp, throwing Park onto the roadway, according to the NYPD Highway District's Collision Investigation Squad. He was rushed to Ja…
Bearded Bank Suspect Bags $9K In NY, Tries For Another Haul With Fake Military ID: Police
A mystery man stole $9,000 from a Capital Region bank, then attempted to take $9,000 more using fake military credentials, police said.
The man used a fraudulent New York State driver’s license to withdraw $9,000 from the Bank of Greene County in Ravena on Friday, Sept. 25, New York State Police announced Tuesday, Oct. 27.
Additionally, the man tried to withdraw $9,000 from Arrow Bank in Glens Falls using a fraudulent military VA identification card but was denied, according to authorities.
The suspect was caught on camera at one location wearing a plaid flannel shirt, bushy beard, and blu…
