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Ben Crnic

Reporter

bcrnic@dailyvoice.com

Ben Crnic graduated from the University of Connecticut with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism & Geoscience in 2021. He has previously worked as a reporter with the Journal Inquirer in Manchester, Connecticut, and has also contributed work to the Connecticut Mirror. Ben joined the Daily Voice team in October of 2022.

Ben Crnic's Contributions

Police & Fire
Man Killed Couple, Dog Before Setting Wappinger Fire, Police Say: Victims' IDs Released Man Killed Couple, Dog Before Setting Wappinger Fire, Police Say: Victims' IDs Released
Man Killed Couple, Dog Before Setting Wappinger Fire, Police Say: Victims' IDs Released Authorities have identified the victims of a deadly Dutchess County house fire and filed upgraded charges against the man accused of setting the blaze, police said.  Paul and Jo-Ann Hait, ages 63 and 65, were killed in the fire that tore through their home at 78 Marlorville Rd. in Wappinger on Sunday, Jan. 26, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office announced on Friday, Jan. 31.  Following further investigation, officials now allege that Robert J. Buda, age 34, murdered the couple and their dog before setting their home on fire. The victims were known to Buda, but authorities have no…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Thick Smoke Pours From Mahopac Business, Prompts Large Response Thick Smoke Pours From Mahopac Business, Prompts Large Response
Thick Smoke Pours From Mahopac Business, Prompts Large Response A fire inside a dryer at a business in Putnam County sent thick smoke billowing through the building and a neighboring business, prompting a large emergency response. The blaze broke out on Friday, Jan. 31, at Mahopac Launderaid & Dry Cleaners, located at 960 South Lake Blvd., just before 11 a.m., according to the Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department.  When first responders arrived, they encountered heavy smoke pouring from the front door, leading officials to activate a first-alarm structure fire response.  Fire crews determined that the flames had been contained to items insid…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Brazen Burglars Hit Same Store Again and Again In Hudson Valley, Took Electronics: Police Brazen Burglars Hit Same Store Again and Again In Hudson Valley, Took Electronics: Police
Brazen Burglars Hit Same Store Again and Again In Hudson Valley, Took Electronics: Police Three suspects have been apprehended in connection with a string of commercial burglaries that targeted the same Orange County business, authorities announced.  Newburgh residents Sean Gaige, 36, Samantha Batule, 34, and Jonathan Warner, 37, were taken into custody on Friday, Jan. 31, after a police investigation linked them to multiple break-ins at a business on Pierces Road, the Newburgh Police Department said.  According to police, the suspects stole several thousand dollars worth of high-end electronics over multiple incidents. The stolen goods were then sold for cash and narc…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Man Admits To 'Anal Sexual Contact' With Child Younger Than 11 In Hudson Valley Man Admits To 'Anal Sexual Contact' With Child Younger Than 11 In Hudson Valley
Man Admits To 'Anal Sexual Contact' With Child Younger Than 11 In Hudson Valley A 34-year-old man has pleaded guilty to charges connected to his sexual conduct with a child younger than 11 years old in Orange County, officials announced.  Newburgh resident Kelvin Dubon-Rivas pleaded guilty to first-degree rape on Friday, Jan. 31 in Orange County Court, according to Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler. According to Hoovler, Dubon-Rivas admitted that in September 2024, he engaged in "anal sexual contact" with the child.  When he is sentenced on Tuesday, May 20, he faces 20 years in prison followed by 20 years of post-release supervision. He w…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
74-Year-Old Reverses Car Through Apartment Building In Hudson Valley: Police 74-Year-Old Reverses Car Through Apartment Building In Hudson Valley: Police
74-Year-Old Reverses Car Through Apartment Building In Hudson Valley: Police A 74-year-old woman was hospitalized after crashing her vehicle into an apartment building in Orange County, police said. The incident happened in the town of Wallkill on Thursday, Jan. 30, at around 4:13 p.m., when police responded to a report of a motor vehicle collision at the Patrick Campbell Apartments, located at 88 Senior Way, according to the Wallkill Police Department.  Upon arriving at the scene, officers found that a vehicle driven by a Wallkill resident had collided with the apartment complex. The 74-year-old driver told police that she lost control of the vehicle while re…

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Olympic Icon Dick Button Dies In Hudson Valley: Figure Skating Great Was 95 Olympic Icon Dick Button Dies In Hudson Valley: Figure Skating Great Was 95
Olympic Icon Dick Button Dies In Hudson Valley: Figure Skating Great Was 95 American figure-skating icon Dick Button, who earned an Olympic gold medal twice and continued his career as an analyst on television broadcasts, died in Northern Westchester on Thursday, Jan. 30, according to reports.  Button, a longtime Westchester resident and twice Olympic Champion, died at his North Salem residence at the age of 95, The New York Times reported.   The figure-skating icon won his gold medals in 1948 and 1952 and was also a five-time World Champion. He was the only non-European man to become European Champion. Button became well-known for being the fi…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Mayor Confirms ICE Activity In Hudson Valley, Agents Looking For Person With Criminal Record Mayor Confirms ICE Activity In Hudson Valley, Agents Looking For Person With Criminal Record
Mayor Confirms ICE Activity In Hudson Valley, Agents Looking For Person With Criminal Record Peekskill Mayor Vivian C. McKenzie has addressed an early-morning operation by federal immigration authorities, clarifying that the city's police department had no involvement and reaffirming Peekskill’s commitment to protecting all residents. According to McKenzie, Peekskill Police Chief Leo Dylewski was informed on Friday morning, Jan. 31, that federal agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), were operating in the city in search of an individual with a criminal record. However, local law enforcement was not involved in the operation.  "The Peekskill Police …

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by Ben Crnic
News
Luchese Soldier From Elmsford, Associates Admit Role in Mafia Gambling Scheme Luchese Soldier From Elmsford, Associates Admit Role in Mafia Gambling Scheme
Luchese Soldier From Elmsford, Associates Admit Role in Mafia Gambling Scheme A high-ranking member of the Luchese crime family and several associates from Westchester have pleaded guilty to racketeering, money laundering, and illegal gambling as part of a sweeping federal case targeting organized crime, officials announced.  Anthony Villani, a 60-year-old Elmsford resident and a soldier in the Luchese crime family, entered his guilty plea on Thursday, Jan. 30 in federal court in Brooklyn. As part of his plea deal, he will forfeit $4 million in illicit proceeds, according to the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.  Villani was one of…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Car Crumples After Hitting Tree In Chestnut Ridge Amid Icy Conditions (VIDEO) Car Crumples After Hitting Tree In Chestnut Ridge Amid Icy Conditions (VIDEO)
Car Crumples After Hitting Tree In Chestnut Ridge Amid Icy Conditions (Video) A car was severely damaged after hitting a tree in a Rockland County crash that caused injuries.  The crash happened in Chestnut Ridge on Friday, Jan. 31 at around 1:30 p.m., when a vehicle hit a tree on Margetts Road near Saddle River Road, The Monsey Scoop reported. Video posted on Instagram by The Monsey Scoop showed severe front-end damage to the vehicle.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Monsey Scoop (@monseyscoop) Injuries were reported as a result of the crash. Police have not yet released more information about …

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by Ben Crnic
Business
Gourmet Breakfast Eatery Now Open In New Rochelle: Here's Look Inside Gourmet Breakfast Eatery Now Open In New Rochelle: Here's Look Inside
Gourmet Breakfast Eatery Now Open In New Rochelle: Here's Look Inside New Rochelle’s vibrant dining scene just got a fresh new addition with the arrival of Toastique, a health-focused café specializing in gourmet toasts, smoothies, and cold-pressed juices.  On Thursday, Jan. 23, city officials, community leaders, and business owners gathered at 604 North Ave. for a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce to officially welcome the fast-growing eatery.  Toastique first opened its doors in December 2024 and has already become a go-to spot for health-conscious foodies. The café offers a unique selection of nutrient-packed …

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by Ben Crnic
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