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The teen, Carlos Martinez-Amaya of Suffern was charged with armed robbery and several other charges after police identified him as the person involved with the armed robbery, Osborn said.
On Monday night officers responded to Park Avenue in the area of East Maple Avenue around 7 p.m. after a woman called the department to report that she had just been robbed, Osborn said.
The victim, a 35-year-old Suffern woman, told officers she had been walking home from work on Park Avenue when she noticed a suspicious man walking towards her. According to the victim, the man had some type of ski mask on and as she passed him he turned around and ran up behind her, grabbed her pocketbook and began to yell at her to give it to him, Osborn added.
The victim said the man took out some type of handgun and pointed it at her as she let go of the pocketbook. He then fled on foot and investigating officers, Sgt. Andy Loughlin, Officer Craig Yustein and Officer David Figueroa, conducted a lengthy search of the area which included K-9 Officer Lou Venturini as well as MTA Police, but were unable to locate the suspect, he added.
Wednesday at 3:15 p.m. the department received a call from a citizen who reported that she had just seen two males walking on the railroad tracks in the area of Washington Avenue and it appeared that one of the men was carrying a handgun, Osborn said.
Sgt. Jose Martinez and Officer Billy Simurra responded to the area and after an extensive search located the two men in the old Tilcon Quarry off of Lafayette Avenue. The officers gave commands for the men to show their hands due to the fact that a weapon was possibly on one of the suspects at which time Martinez-Amaya began reaching into his waistband. After more commands, he raised his hands and officers located a pellet gun which appeared to be a 45-caliber handgun in his waistband where his hands were, the chief added.
The suspects were taken into custody and turned over to the Ramapo Police because they were in the quarry without permission which is owned by the Town of Ramapo.
After being processed on trespass charges in Ramapo, Suffern officers once again took the suspects into custody for further investigation. After an extensive investigation, Martinez-Amaya was charged with robbery, possession of a weapon, and possession of stolen property, Osborn said.
A search warrant was executed at Martinez-Amaya's residence where the mask used in the robbery as well as additional evidence was obtained, he said.
Osborn said the case was made possible due to several officers exceptional police work including Det. Sgt. Rick Marsh who obtained video footage from the robbery and oversaw the search warrant for the suspect's residence.
He also commended Det. Anne Cawley and Sgt. Mike Fennessey who located the pocketbook and proceeds in the rear of the suspect's property. Det. Craig Long who interviewed the suspect, Officer Dan Kiernan who handled radio communications and took the original call and Sgt. Jose Martinez and Officer Billy Simurra who did an excellent job in apprehending the suspect and showing great restraint as the suspect was reaching his hands in the area where he had a concealed weapon, Osborn said.
Martinez-Amaya is being held at the Rockland County Jail on $50,000 bail pending a future court date.
The Ramapo Police Department, Rockland County Sheriff’s Department and the Rockland County District Attorney’s assisted with the case.
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