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New York State Police

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…
Trooper Suspended, Stripped Of Gun After 'Inconsistencies' In Account Of NY Shooting Trooper Suspended, Stripped Of Gun After 'Inconsistencies' In Account Of NY Shooting
Trooper Suspended, Stripped Of Gun After 'Inconsistencies' In Account Of NY Shooting A New York State Police trooper who claimed he was shot on a roadway in the region has been sidelined amid doubts about his story. On Long Island, trooper Thomas Mascia, age 27, was suspended without pay and stripped of his agency-issued service weapon, an NYSP spokesperson told Daily Voice. The agency is investigating whether Mascia, of West Hempstead, shot himself in the leg, NBC New York reports. It comes after state police confirmed it was conducting a joint investigation with the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office into what DA Anne Donnelly described as “certain inconsisten…
New Update: IDs Released For Trooper, Tow Truck Driver Hit By Pickup Truck In Capital Region New Update: IDs Released For Trooper, Tow Truck Driver Hit By Pickup Truck In Capital Region
New Update: IDs Released For Trooper, Tow Truck Driver Hit By Pickup Truck In Capital Region The New York State trooper and tow truck operator who were struck by a pickup truck on I-87 while outside of their vehicles during a traffic stop have been identified by state police. The incident occurred in Albany County on the Northway southbound lanes on Saturday, Nov. 2, in Colonie.  Original report - Trooper Suffers Serious Injuries After Being Struck By Pickup Truck On Northway In Colonie According to Trooper Stephanie O'Neil, Trooper Nicholas Abbondola has undergone lengthy surgeries to repair some of the injuries, but additional surgeries are expected to be necess…
Trooper's 'Inconsistencies' In Account Of NY Shooting Under Investigation By State Police, DA Trooper's 'Inconsistencies' In Account Of NY Shooting Under Investigation By State Police, DA
Trooper's 'Inconsistencies' In Account Of NY Shooting Under Investigation By State Police, DA A New York State Police trooper who suffered a gunshot wound on a roadway in the region may not have been entirely truthful about what happened. On Long Island, state police and the Nassau County District Attorney’s office are investigating “certain inconsistencies” in Trooper Thomas Mascia’s reporting of the alleged incident, a spokesperson for DA Anne Donnelly told Daily Voice. On Monday, Nov. 4, State Police executed a search warrant at Mascia’s home in West Hempstead. The agency also canceled the BOLO (be on the lookout) for the suspect vehicle. Earlier Report: Trooper Shot In W…
Fire Company Financial Secretary In Region Admits Stealing $17K, DA Says Fire Company Financial Secretary In Region Admits Stealing $17K, DA Says
Fire Company Financial Secretary In Region 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…
5 Capital Region Men Nabbed On Gun Charges, Police Say 5 Capital Region Men Nabbed On Gun Charges, Police Say
5 Capital Region Men Nabbed On Gun Charges, Police Say Five people were charged with allegedly having loaded weapons during a Hudson Valley traffic stop. The incident occurred in Orange County around 3:40 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 25, in Wallkill. According to Lt. Robert McLymore of the Wallkill Police, the department, along with the New York State Police, performed a vehicle stop at Exit 116 on Route 17, which led to the arrest of five of the five suspects. A subsequent investigation resulted in the recovery of three loaded firearms, McLymore said. Those charged included: Capital Region resident Shawn A. Briggs, age 35, of Troy. …
NY Mom Jumps To Death With Her 2 Young Children At Niagara Falls NY Mom Jumps To Death With Her 2 Young Children At Niagara Falls
NY Mom Jumps To Death With Her 2 Young Children At Niagara Falls A days-long search for a New York mother and her two children was unsuccessful after police say the woman jumped with them off Niagara Falls. State Police say that 33-year-old Chianti Means, Roman Rossman, age 9, and Mecca Means, 5 months old, crossed over the guardrail and went over the falls on Luna Island, which is attached to Goat Island, on Monday night, Oct. 28. "The investigation has determined that this incident was intentional in nature, though the circumstances remain under investigation," according to New York State Police. All three were residents of Niagara Falls. New York St…
Trooper Suffers Serious Injuries After Being Hit By Pickup Truck On Northway In Capital Region Trooper Suffers Serious Injuries After Being Hit By Pickup Truck On Northway In Capital Region
Trooper Suffers Serious Injuries After Being Hit By Pickup Truck On Northway In Capital Region Police are investigating a midday crash on a stretch of the New York Thruway that left a trooper severely injured. It happened around 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 on I-87 in Albany County just before the Exit 6-7 off-ramp in Colonie. The investigation has determined that the trooper had stopped a vehicle, and due to a vehicle and traffic Law violation, the vehicle was being towed, New York State Police said. While loading a vehicle onto the tow truck, both the trooper and tow truck driver were outside their vehicles when they were struck by a passing pickup truck.  The trooper su…
Drunk Driver From Carmel Leads Officers On Short Chase In Region: Police Drunk Driver From Carmel Leads Officers On Short Chase In Region: Police
Drunk Driver From Carmel Leads Officers On Short Chase In Region: Police A 40-year-old drunk driver was apprehended after fleeing a traffic stop in the region, police said. The incident leading to the man's arrest began in Putnam County just before 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24, when a Kent Police officer saw a vehicle driving erratically on Route 311, according to the department. The officer soon tried stopping the vehicle on Terry Hill Road. However, the car ignored the officer's emergency lights and sirens and kept going, authorities said. The vehicle was later stopped with help from the Carmel Police Department, Putnam County Sheriff's Office, and New Yor…
Woman Killed, 1-Year-Old Hospitalized After Jeep Crashes Into Amish Buggy In NY Woman Killed, 1-Year-Old Hospitalized After Jeep Crashes Into Amish Buggy In NY
Woman Killed, 1-Year-Old Hospitalized After Jeep Crashes Into Amish Buggy In NY A young woman was killed and an infant hospitalized after a vehicle crashed into an Amish carriage on a New York road. The incident happened around 4:15 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28, in Herkimer County in the village of Newport, located about 70 miles west of Sarasota Springs. New York State Police say a preliminary investigation revealed that a 2017 Jeep Renegade operated by a 36-year-old Newport man was traveling east on Butler Road when it struck the rear portion of the Amish Buggy traveling in the same direction. As a result of the collision, Rebecca Swartzentruber, age 31, from Newport, and 1…
Man From Region Admits Sex Abuse Of Child Under 11, Faces 18 Years In Prison, DA Says Man From Region Admits Sex Abuse Of Child Under 11, Faces 18 Years In Prison, DA Says
Man From Region Admits Sex Abuse Of Child Under 11, Faces 18 Years In Prison, DA Says A 73-year-old man has pleaded guilty to sex abuse of a child under the age of 11 for several years. Orange County resident Allan Bressler of Pine Bush made his plea in court on Thursday, Oct. 3, said Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler. At the time of the plea, the District Attorney’s Office said it would recommend Bressler be sentenced to 18 years in state prison, followed by 10 years of post-release supervision.  At the time that he pleaded guilty, Bressler admitted that between March 2008 and February 2013, in the vicinity of his Pine Bush home, he engaged in two or…
Trooper Shot On NY Highway Released From Hospital As Reward For Suspect Info Grows Trooper Shot On NY Highway Released From Hospital As Reward For Suspect Info Grows
Trooper Shot On NY Highway Released From Hospital As Reward For Suspect Info Grows A New York State Police trooper who was shot and injured while trying to help a highway motorist is back home with his family. Thomas Mascia, age 27, was released from Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow on Friday morning, Nov. 1. Law enforcement officers from across Nassau and Suffolk counties gathered outside the hospital for a “walk-out” ceremony honoring the injured trooper. Earlier Report: 'All-Out' Manhunt Underway After Trooper Shot In West Hempstead; Cash Reward Being Offered “I’m feeling good,” he told the crowd. “I’m going home.” The jubilant scene came two d…
Body Of Man From Neighboring Town Found Along Road In Region Body Of Man From Neighboring Town Found Along Road In Region
Body Of Man From Neighboring Town Found Along Road In Region Authorities are investigating the death of a man whose body was found along a Hudson Valley road.  The body of  Northern Westchester County resident Charles Flowers, age 81, of Somers, was discovered on Stoneleigh Avenue in Putnam County on Wednesday, Oct. 30 around 1 p.m. in the town of Carmel, according to Trooper AJ Hicks of the New York State Police. Hicks said that Flowers had been a patient at Putnam Hospital in Carme but had been discharged before his death.  Authorities are now investigating the circumstances of Flowers's death along with the Putnam C…
Reckless Driver Nabbed Through Use Of Tire Deflation Device In Capital Region, Police Say Reckless Driver Nabbed Through Use Of Tire Deflation Device In Capital Region, Police Say
Reckless Driver Nabbed Through Use Of Tire Deflation Device In Capital Region, Police Say A Capital Region man allegedly driving recklessly was nabbed with more than two kilos of cocaine after he failed to stop for police and sped away before being apprehended with the use of stop sticks. The incident occurred in Albany at 7:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 28, on I-87. According to New York State Police Trooper Stephanie O'Neil, troopers attempted to stop Nashaan A. Howard, age 40, of Schenectady, in Albany County in Bethlehem. When Howard failed to stop, a pursuit was initiated. O'Neil said Howard was driving recklessly at a high rate of speed and discarding items from the vehicle durin…
'All-Out' Manhunt Underway After Trooper Shot On NY Highway; $5,000 Reward Being Offered 'All-Out' Manhunt Underway After Trooper Shot On NY Highway; $5,000 Reward Being Offered
'All-Out' Manhunt Underway After Trooper Shot On NY Highway; $5,000 Reward Being Offered Authorities said an “all-out” manhunt was underway after a New York State Police trooper was shot on a Long Island highway. The incident happened on the Southern State Parkway in West Hempstead, in the westbound lanes near exit 17, at around 11:45 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30. New York State Police said a trooper patrolling the highway pulled up behind what he thought was a disabled vehicle and took down the license plate number. Earlier Report: NYSP Trooper Shot On Southern State Parkway In West Hempstead; Suspect On Run He then exited his patrol car and was walking toward the vehicl…
Trooper Shot On NY Highway; Suspect On Run (Developing) Trooper Shot On NY Highway; Suspect On Run (Developing)
Trooper Shot On NY Highway; Suspect On Run (Developing) A New York State Police trooper is recovering after being shot on a Long Island highway. The incident happened on the Southern State Parkway in West Hempstead, in the westbound lanes near exit 17, late Wednesday night, Oct. 30. According to police, a trooper exchanged gunfire with a suspect before the suspect fled the scene.  The trooper was taken to a hospital and was listed in stable condition early Thursday, Oct. 31. Authorities did not elaborate on the nature of their injuries. Police said the suspect was a dark skinned man driving possibly a black Dodge Charger with temporary Ne…
Man Struck, Killed By SUV Was Inspecting Car After Minor Crash On NY Thruway, Police Say Man Struck, Killed By SUV Was Inspecting Car After Minor Crash On NY Thruway, Police Say
Man Struck, Killed By SUV Was Inspecting Car After Minor Crash On NY Thruway, Police Say A man who was involved in a minor crash on the New York Thruway was killed when he stepped out of his vehicle to inspect the damage and was struck by a 2018 Ford SUV.  Saul Clark, 55, of Paterson, New Jersey, had gotten out of his vehicle in the southbound lanes of I-87 in West Nyack when he was struck by the passing SUV driven by a Nyack woman just before 10 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29, New York State Police Trooper Steven Nevel said. Nevel said Clark had stepped out of his vehicle to inspect the damage from a minor crash he'd just been involved in. Clark was declared dead at the scene…
9 Students, 1 Adult Injured In School Bus Crash In Region 9 Students, 1 Adult Injured In School Bus Crash In Region
9 Students, 1 Adult Injured In School Bus Crash In Region Nine students and an adult were injured during a two-vehicle crash involving a school bus in the region. The crash occurred in Orange County around 9 a.m., Monday, Oct. 28, at the intersection of Route 52 and Route 17 in the town of Crawford. According to Crawford Police Chief Dominick Blasko, a 2021 Dodge truck was traveling eastbound in the eastbound lane of Route 52 when it collided with a 2024 First Student school bus.   The First Student Bus was transporting 43 Pine Bush students to Edward J Russell Elementary School when the collision took place, Blasko said. The bus was ma…
Major Brush Fire In Region Spreads Smoke For Miles Major Brush Fire In Region Spreads Smoke For Miles
Major Brush Fire In Region Spreads Smoke For Miles A major brush fire over at least a dozen acres in the Hudson Valley produced smoke that spread across the New York border into Connecticut. The blaze broke out at around 12:05 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 in Putnam County in the area of Route 301 and East Boyds Road in the town of Kent and was finally contained late in the day on Sunday, Oct. 27. While responding, crews observed a large fire on the mountain and immediately requested mutual aid from neighboring departments, according to the Kent Fire Department.  Responding crews located the large brushfire of approximately 5 to 6 acres…
Pair Of 45-Year-Old Capital Region Women Nabbed For Animal Cruelty In Case Involving 40 Cats Pair Of 45-Year-Old Capital Region Women Nabbed For Animal Cruelty In Case Involving 40 Cats
Pair Of 45-Year-Old Capital Region Women Nabbed For Animal Cruelty In Case Involving 40 Cats Two women from the region have been charged with 40 counts of animal cruelty to cats. The incident occurred in Columbia County on Friday, Oct. 18, in Hillsdale. After receiving a tip about possible animal abuse, members of the New York State Police, with the Columbia-Greene Humane Society, Animal Nation, and the Hillsdale Building Department, determined that Jennifer Rossi, age 45, and Peggy Card, age 45, both of Hillsdale, failed to care for the animals, said Trooper AJ Hicks. Animal Nation, located in Westchester County in South Salem, volunteered to care for the cats at their shelter, H…
NY Woman Cleans Out Bank Account To Fraudster Posing As Federal Agent, Police Say NY Woman Cleans Out Bank Account To Fraudster Posing As Federal Agent, Police Say
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…
Fatal Crash In Region: 26-Year-Old ID'd As Victim Fatal Crash In Region: 26-Year-Old ID'd As Victim
Fatal Crash In Region: 26-Year-Old ID'd As Victim A two-vehicle crash in the region claimed the life of one person and injured another. The collision occurred in Orange County at 11:15 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 24, on Route 32 in Newburgh. According to the town of Newburgh Police Lt. Matthew Nadolny, a preliminary investigation determined that a 2007 Ford Econoline van, operated by Leonel Marquez-Martinez, age 36, of Wallkill, was traveling southbound on  Route 32.  Nadolny said a 2015 Chevrolet Volt operated by Marcus Bennett, age 26, of Montgomery, was traveling northbound when the two crashed. Bennett was pronounce…
Road Rage: Saratoga County Man Displays Weapon During Incident In Capital Regio Road Rage: Saratoga County Man Displays Weapon During Incident In Capital Regio
Road Rage: Saratoga County Man Displays Weapon During Incident In Capital Regio A Capital Region man was nabbed for road rage after allegedly displaying a weapon to another driver. Saratoga County resident Justin R. Maetzel, age 24, of Ballston Spa, was charged on Tuesday, Oct. 22, at his home for the incident on Route 7 in Albany County near Colonie. According to New York State Police Trooper Stephanie O'Neil, an investigation determined on Route 7 near the I-87 interchange in Colonie, Matzel allegedly displayed what appeared to be a handgun inside his vehicle during a road rage dispute.  Maetzel fled the location while the victim contacted 911. He was later loc…
Capital Region Man Nabbed For Child Porn After Cyber Tip Capital Region Man Nabbed For Child Porn After Cyber Tip
Capital Region Man Nabbed For Child Porn After Cyber Tip A Captial Region man was busted with child pornography after New York State Police received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Rensselaer County resident Andrew M. Squillari, age 26, of Troy, was charged on Wednesday, Oct. 23, following an investigation by the State Police and the US Department of Homeland Security. According to Trooper Stephanie O'Neil, Squillari is accused of promoting and possessing images consistent with child sexual exploitation.  His arrest followed an investigation and the execution of a search warrant at his residence…
Road Rage: Shots-Fired Incident Under Investigation In Region Road Rage: Shots-Fired Incident Under Investigation In Region
Road Rage: Shots-Fired Incident Under Investigation In Region A road-rage confrontation on a busy highway led to the arrest of one man who allegedly fired shots at another car in the region. The incident occurred in Dutchess County at 3:35 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23, on the Dutchess Turnpike near Degarmo Road in the town of Poughkeepsie. According to Capt. Ralph Cropley of the Poughkeepsie Police, an investigation found that a Dodge Ram and a Honda Accord were involved in the incident, and the driver of the Ram intentionally fired an illegally possessed handgun at the Accord, striking it and causing damage. The driver of the Ram, identified as Jason …
45-Year-Old Killed After Losing Control Of Car, Hitting Trees On Taconic Parkway, Police Say 45-Year-Old Killed After Losing Control Of Car, Hitting Trees On Taconic Parkway, Police Say
45-Year-Old Killed After Losing Control Of Car, Hitting Trees On Taconic Parkway, Police Say A Hudson Valley man was killed after allegedly losing control of his 2023 Toyota Camry and hitting several trees. The incident occurred in Dutchess County at 9 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 22, on the Taconic State Parkway in LaGrange. According to Trooper AJ Hicks of the New York State Police, an investigation determined Putnam County resident Vikrant K. Sharma, age 45, of Putnam Valley, was traveling southbound at a high rate of speed and left the roadway for unknown reasons before striking several trees.   Sharma was pronounced dead on the scene by responding paramedics, Hicks said…
Fatal Crash: Motorist Killed After Being Ejected From Vehicle In Hudson Valley Fatal Crash: Motorist Killed After Being Ejected From Vehicle In Hudson Valley
Fatal Crash: Motorist Killed After Being Ejected From Vehicle In Hudson Valley A person was killed in a two-vehicle crash in the Hudson Valley. It happened just after 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20 in Ulster County in the town of Gardiner. A preliminary investigation by New York State Police revealed that a 2017 Ford operated by a 62-year-old Long Island resident Carle Place, was traveling east bound on State Route 44/55 and made a left turn onto State Route 299 traveling west.  He failed to yield the right of way to a 2004 Harley Davidson motorcycle that was traveling west causing the motorcycle to strike the vehicle, police said. The motorcycle driver, who wa…
Person Killed After Being Struck By Vehicle On Roadway In Region Person Killed After Being Struck By Vehicle On Roadway In Region
Person Killed After Being Struck By Vehicle On Roadway In Region A man was hit and killed by a Jeep as he crossed a busy roadway in the region. The incident occurred in Dutchess County around 6:45 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 21, on Violet Avenue in Hyde Park. According to Hyde Park Police Chief Robert Benson, Lawrence Williams, age 76, of Hyde Park, was crossing Violet Avenue from the Sunoco Gas Station to his residence at the Hyde Park Assisted Living when he was struck by a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by a 41-year-old Hude Park woman. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Jeep was not injured, he added. During an investigation, witnesse…
Fatal Crash: 19-Year-Old ID'd As Victim In Region Fatal Crash: 19-Year-Old ID'd As Victim In Region
Fatal Crash: 19-Year-Old ID'd As Victim In Region A teenager was killed in a single-vehicle crash in the region. It happened around 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18 in Dutchess County in the town of Wappinger. New York State Police said an initial investigation determined Tyler N. Virgo, age 19, of Poughkeepsie, was operating a 2007 Honda CBR600RR eastbound at a high rate of speed passing multiple vehicles illegally and lost control of the motorcycle for unknown reasons.  The motorcycle collided with the guardrail on the north shoulder of Old Hopewell Road just east of Cedar Hill Road and Virgo was ejected from the vehicle, said police. Em…
6 Cows On Run After Tractor-Trailer Hauling Cattle Crashes In Region 6 Cows On Run After Tractor-Trailer Hauling Cattle Crashes In Region
6 Cows On Run After Tractor-Trailer Hauling Cattle Crashes In Region Six cows are on the loose tafter a trailer hauling cattle crashed, dumping 15 cows onto a busy highway.  The incident occurred in Orange County at 6:15 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 20, at the intersection of I-84 and Route 6 in Deerpark. According to Trooper Steven Nevel of the New York State Police, a preliminary investigation revealed that a 2006 Kenworth carrying cows of various breeds was traveling west when the driver stated that his brakes failed.  Nevel said the vehicle exited I-84 and made a left turn onto Route 6 when it struck a guide rail and overturned, coming to rest on its si…
Teen Nabbed For Making Threat Of Mass Harm Against High School In Region: Police Teen Nabbed For Making Threat Of Mass Harm Against High School In Region: Police
Teen Nabbed For Making Threat Of Mass Harm Against High School In Region: Police An 18-year-old Hudson Valley student has been charged with allegedly making several threats against Rhinebeck High School. The incident occurred in Dutchess County on Thursday, Oct. 17, at the school on N. Park Drive. According To New York State Police Trooper AJ Hicks, an investigation determined the threats were not credible, but a search of the building was conducted out of an abundance of caution.   No evidence of any safety threat was found. Further investigation led to the arrest of an 18-year-old student, Hicks said. The 18-year-old was issued an appearance ticket for ma…