Find Your Daily Voice
61°
Scammers Stole Taylor Swift Eras Tour Tickets In $600K+ Ny-based Scheme, Prosecutors Say
Taylor Swift fans are hoping "Karma" comes to whoever scammed them out of expensive tickets to The Eras Tour.
Two people were accused of stealing nearly 1,000 tickets to high-demand events, including the popstar's record-breaking concert tour. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced arrests in the case in a news release on Monday, Mar. 3.
Tyrone Rose, 20, of Kingston, Jamaica, and Shamara Simmons, 31, of Queens, NY, were facing charges including grand larceny, conspiracy, and computer tampering.
"These defendants tried to use the popularity of Taylor Swift…
Father-Daughter Duo Who Stole $230K From Elderly Victim In Hudson Valley Dodges Prison
A father and daughter who scammed a 92-year-old woman out of more than $230,000 in Ulster County won’t spend a day in prison.
Frank Whittaker, 56, of Kingston, and his daughter, Christine Ellsworth, 39, of Accord, were sentenced to probation and ordered to pay restitution in Ulster County Court on Tuesday, March 4.
The daddy-daughter duo gained the victim’s trust by helping with yard work and household tasks, according to the New York Attorney General’s office. Over time, Whittaker convinced the woman to grant him Power of Attorney over her finances.
But instead of managing her money resp…
Dunkin' Donuts Manager Steals Thousands In After-Hour Heists In Capital Region: Police
A Dunkin’ Donuts manager is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from her store.
Heidi Howe, 46, of Ballston Spa, was arrested Tuesday, Feb. 10, following an investigation into multiple thefts reported at a Ballston Spa Dunkin’ store, New York State Police said.
Troopers concluded that Howe, who managed the location, entered the store after hours without authorization on several occasions in December 2024 and January 2025, police said. Altogether, she stole more than $3,000 in cash, according to police.
Howe was located by Washington County Sheriff’s deputies and turned over to St…
State Workers Steal Debit Card Info From Disabled Residents In Capital Region, Police Say
Three New York State employees are accused of stealing money from developmentally disabled residents in the Capital Region.
The women, all employees at the Capital District Developmental Disabilities Services Office (DDSO) in Clifton Park, were arrested on suspicion of fraud and larceny-related charges following an investigation by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday, Jan. 26.
Officials identified the defendants as:
Lashea Pettway, 30, of Schenectady
Jessie Gabriel, 34, of Schenectady
Christin McGrath, 45, of Selkirk
An investigation found that all three women stole debit card …
Serial Car Prowler Busted Thanks To Surveillance Footage From Capital Region Victims, Cops Say
An accused serial car prowler in the Capital Region is behind bars thanks to incriminating evidence from the victims.
Albany County resident Christopher White, 36, of Cohoes, was arrested Thursday, Jan. 23, in connection with a string of car break-ins in Colonie dating back to Christmas 2024, Colonie Police said.
While riding his bike through residential neighborhoods near the Colonie Mohawk-Hudson Bike Path, White stole numerous belongings from unlocked vehicles, including cash, gift cards, and personal property, police alleged.
Several break-ins occurred during the overnight hours on Chr…
$50K Scheme: Former Top School Officials Spent Funds On Personal Items In Region, DA Says
Two former administrators at a Westchester County school district serving at-risk students have been charged with multiple public corruption offenses after using $50,000 for personal items, prosecutors announced.
Rockland County resident Oliver Levy, age 55, of Stony Point, the former superintendent of the Greenburgh-Graham Union Free School District, and Surendra Kumar, 48, of Yonkers, a former security system specialist, were arraigned on Wednesday, Jan. 22, on charges including second- and third-degree grand larceny and corrupting the government, the Westchester County District Attorney's…
Mail Thief Nabbed After Making High-Speed Escape In Hudson Valley
An 18-year-old man was nabbed by police for allegedly stealing mail that contained personal financial information out of residential mailboxes with two accomplices.
Lt. Daniel Schoales of the Stony Point Police said Mahamadou Sissoko, of the Bronx, was charged on Thursday, Jan. 8, for the crimes committed on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Tompkins Cove.
According to Schoales, Sissoko and the two accomplices were seen stealing mail. Police arrived as the trio attempted to flee in a vehicle driven by Sissoko.
The vehicle was later found off the roadway, down an embankment, and fully engulfed in f…
Hudson Valley Man Arrested In Connection With Vehicle Larcenies In Area: Police
A 29-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a series of vehicle larcenies in the Village of Airmont, but police are still searching for additional suspects, authorities report.
The Ramapo Police Department arrested Keith Casas, age 29, of Airmont, in connection with multiple reports of larcenies from vehicles that occurred over two weekends in early December, said Det. Lt. Chris Franklin of the Ramapo Police.
According to Franklin, the thefts occurred overnight in Airmont, targeting unlocked vehicles. Items stolen included cash, credit cards, and personal belongings. The stolen c…
Bookkeeper Accused Of Stealing $10K From Business In Capital Region
A 38-year-old bookkeeper has been charged with grand larceny and other offenses after allegedly stealing more than $10,000 from a Capital Region business, police said.
Rensselaer County resident Tara A. Cottrell, age 38, of Pittstown, was arrested on Sunday, Dec. 22 following an investigation that began on Monday, Dec. 16, when troopers received a theft complaint from a Schaghticoke business, New York State Police announced on Thursday, Dec. 26.
Authorities determined that during the summer and fall of 2023, Cottrell, who was employed as a bookkeeper, allegedly falsifie…
Capital Region Man Charged In Halfmoon Burglary After $3,000 Theft, Police Say
A Capital Region man has been charged with burglary after allegedly stealing over $3,000 worth of materials from a storage container in Halfmoon, police report.
New York State Police announced the arrest of Ron D. Vandenburgh, 36, of Latham, on Tuesday, Dec. 17, following a warrant for his alleged involvement in a burglary and theft in Halfmoon.
According to police, the incident occurred on Monday, Oct. 21, at approximately 2:30 a.m. Investigators determined Vandenburgh unlawfully entered a property and used a power tool to damage and remove a lock from a storage container. He then allegedl…
Capital Region Man Nabbed On Multiple Fraudulent Check Warrants
New York State Police nabbed a Capital Region man wanted on numerous warrants for allegedly cashing fraudulent checks worth more than $4,000.
Terrance M. Lee, 35, of Troy in Rensselaer County, was charged on Monday, Dec. 9, with four counts of possession of a forged instrument, two counts of grand larceny, and two counts of petit larceny.
According to Trooper Stephanie O'Neil, the arrest resolves four open investigations into Lee. On Saturday, Sept. 14, Lee allegedly possessed fraudulent checks and deposited them in Albany and Rensselaer counties. His reported crimes resulted in the theft o…
Fire Company In Region Financial Secretary Admits Stealing $17K, DA Says
A financial secretary for a fire company in the region has admitted to stealing more than $17,000 from the department.
Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler announced on Friday, Nov. 1, that Lynn T. Simpson, age 43, of Wallkill, pled guilty to grand larceny in the Third Degree in connection with the theft of $17,947 from the parade fund of the Washington Heights Fire Company in Middletown.
As part of the plea agreement, Simpson will repay all the stolen money, Hoovler said.
The department was scheduled to host a parade in September 2023, which includ…
NY Woman Cleans Out Bank Account To Fraudster Posing As Federal Agent, Police Say
A months-long investigation has led to the arrest of a man who authorities say impersonated a federal agent and used fear and intimidation to convince a Long Island victim to hand over money.
On Friday, Oct. 25, the suspect, Om Parkash, age 31, of Queens, was charged with second-degree grand larceny (a Class C felony).
In late July of 2023, Parkash contacted the victim in Sag Harbor stating she was involved in a fraud scheme involving large amounts of money, according to New York State Police.
From there, Parkash advised the victim she would have to give money to “federal a…
Teen Runaway From Region Nabbed For Stealing Cars, Burglary, Theft, Police Say
A 16-year-old runaway in the region has been nabbed for allegedly stealing two vehicles, burglary, and theft.
The arrest occurred in Ulster County on Tuesday, Oct. 22, in the town of Lloyd.
According to Lloyd Police Chief James Janso, the Lake Katrine teen was charged after a month-long investigation found the boy allegedly stole two vehicles, entered a residence, stole a cell phone and iPad, and took alcohol from a convenience store in Highland.
The teen was charged with
Burglary
Grand larceny, fourth-degree
Grand larceny, third-degree, two counts
Petit larceny.
Janso said as an adolesc…
