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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
Repeat Offender Assaults, Chokes Officer In Hudson Valley, Police Say Repeat Offender Assaults, Chokes Officer In Hudson Valley, Police Say
Repeat Offender Assaults, Chokes Officer In Hudson Valley, Police Say An Orange County police department is speaking out against bail reform laws after one of its officers was assaulted by an alleged repeat offender with a lengthy history of arrests and mental health-related incidents, authorities said.   The attack occurred on Friday, March 14, 2025, when 52-year-old Jerry Watkins, who is currently homeless, allegedly choked and assaulted a uniformed City of Middletown Police Department officer during an encounter, the department announced on Monday, March 17.  Watkins, who has had 28 documented interactions with law enforcement since January …

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Drug Dealer Caught After SWAT Team Search At Poughkeepsie Apartment Drug Dealer Caught After SWAT Team Search At Poughkeepsie Apartment
Drug Dealer Caught After SWAT Team Search At Poughkeepsie Apartment A narcotics investigation led to the seizure of several grams of crack cocaine, over $1,500 in cash, and ammunition from a Dutchess County apartment, authorities announced.  Following community complaints about drug activity and quality-of-life concerns, the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department launched an investigation into alleged narcotics distribution at 120 Hudson Ave., Apt. 4C1, the department said on Friday, March 14.  On Thursday, March 13, detectives executed a search warrant at the apartment with assistance from the Poughkeepsie Joint SWAT Team. Inside, officers recove…

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by Ben Crnic
News
9/11 Memorial To Be Torn Down In Greenburgh After Damage: Here's What's Next 9/11 Memorial To Be Torn Down In Greenburgh After Damage: Here's What's Next
9/11 Memorial To Be Torn Down In Greenburgh After Damage: Here's What's Next After more than two decades of honoring the victims of September 11, 2001, a 9/11 memorial in a Westchester park will soon be torn down due to ongoing structural issues.  The People’s 9/11 Memorial Wall in Hartsdale’s Richard Presser Park is set to be torn down this week, Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner said on Saturday, March 15.  The People’s 9/11 Memorial Wall was built in 2003 after a collaboration between the Town of Greenburgh and ArtsWestchester. In addition to the tiles painted by community members, the memorial also featured a piece of metal from the World Trade Ce…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Cargo Trailer Stolen From North East Home: Suspect At Large, Sheriff Says Cargo Trailer Stolen From North East Home: Suspect At Large, Sheriff Says
Cargo Trailer Stolen From North East Home: Suspect At Large, Sheriff Says Authorities in Dutchess County are searching for a trailer stolen from a residence as well as the pick-up truck believed to be hauling it.  The theft happened sometime between 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, and 8:35 a.m. on Thursday, March 6, when an unknown suspect or suspects stole a 2018 Diamond black tandem axle 24-foot v-nose cargo trailer from a property on Willoughby Lane in North East, the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office announced on Monday, March 17.  The trailer, which was registered in New York (CH26764) with VIN #53NBE202XJ1060424, contained Milwaukee tools and…

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Fallen K9 Remembered In Hudson Valley: Leaves Legacy of 'Service, Love,' Sheriff's Office Says Fallen K9 Remembered In Hudson Valley: Leaves Legacy of 'Service, Love,' Sheriff's Office Says
Fallen K9 Remembered In Hudson Valley: Leaves Legacy of 'Service, Love,' Sheriff's Office Says The Orange County Sheriff's Office is mourning the loss of K9 Walter, a dedicated four-legged officer who died at age 9 after a career of distinguished service.  The death of Walter, a Shepherd-Border Collie mix, was announced by the Sheriff's Office on Monday, March 17.  In their announcement, authorities said Walter began his journey in law enforcement after being rescued from a shelter, "proving that even the most humble beginnings can lead to extraordinary achievements."  Paired with Sgt. Justin Worden, Walter worked tirelessly from March 2017 until his retirem…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
100 Residents Evacuated, 1 Injured In 2-Alarm Blaze At New Rochelle Apartment Building 100 Residents Evacuated, 1 Injured In 2-Alarm Blaze At New Rochelle Apartment Building
100 Residents Evacuated, 1 Injured In 2-Alarm Blaze At New Rochelle Apartment Building A two-alarm fire at a New Rochelle apartment building forced the evacuation of about 100 residents, including elderly individuals who needed assistance, on Sunday, March 16, firefighters said.  The fire broke out at 16 Locust Ave. around 4:00 p.m., sending heavy smoke and flames through the building. Firefighters rushed to evacuate residents, ensuring those with mobility issues were safely removed, the New Rochelle Fire Department said on Monday, March 17.  One resident sustained minor injuries while escaping the fire, officials said. The fire capped off a busy day for New Rochel…

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by Ben Crnic
News
Bald Eagle Tests Positive For Bird Flu After Being Found In Cortlandt, Euthanized: DEC Bald Eagle Tests Positive For Bird Flu After Being Found In Cortlandt, Euthanized: DEC
Bald Eagle Tests Positive For Bird Flu After Being Found In Cortlandt, Euthanized: DEC An injured bald eagle found on a trail in Westchester was euthanized after testing positive for bird flu, officials announced.  The eagle was found on Saturday, Feb. 22, when Environmental Conservation officers from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation responded to a trail near Croton Gorge Park, the DEC said on Thursday, March 13.  According to officials, a birdwatcher who discovered the eagle provided officers with an approximate location, and ECOs searched the area in the darkness until they found the bird.  The eagle was taken to Animal Nation, a w…

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by Ben Crnic
Obituaries
Hudson Valley Man Dies Hours After Birth Of His Granddaughter: 'Completely Unexpected' Hudson Valley Man Dies Hours After Birth Of His Granddaughter: 'Completely Unexpected'
Hudson Valley Man Dies Hours After Birth Of His Granddaughter: 'Completely Unexpected' A Dutchess County family is mourning the heartbreaking loss of 71-year-old Paul Keith Voutila, who died just hours after the birth of his granddaughter, Mia.  Voutila died on Thursday, March 13, soon after his family welcomed a new life. His family said his death was "completely unexpected."  "Just hours prior, his daughter Ashley gave birth to his granddaughter Mia, who he sadly never got the chance to meet. This has been an unimaginable loss for his wife Debbie and their children, Ashley and Mike," Voutila's loved ones wrote in a GoFundMe page started to raise money for his…

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Car Left Perched On Rocky Outcrop In Mahopac Crash (PHOTOS) Car Left Perched On Rocky Outcrop In Mahopac Crash (PHOTOS)
Car Left Perched On Rocky Outcrop In Mahopac Crash (Photos) A crash in Putnam County left a vehicle stuck on top of a rock outcrop.  The incident happened on Saturday, March 15 just before 10:45 a.m., when an SUV crashed in Mahopac on Crane Road near Angela Drive, according to the Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department.  Once EMS crews arrived at the scene, the driver refused an ambulance trip, firefighters said.  The road was closed for around half an hour to let tow crews remove the car. 

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by Ben Crnic
Police & Fire
Child Sex Abuse: Beekman Man Accused Of Touching Young Victims, NYSP Say Child Sex Abuse: Beekman Man Accused Of Touching Young Victims, NYSP Say
Child Sex Abuse: Beekman Man Accused Of Touching Young Victims, Nysp Say A 49-year-old Dutchess County man has been charged with multiple sex crimes against two young children following an investigation, police announced   Beekman resident Eric Pentenrieder was arrested on Friday, March 14 on sexual abuse charges, New York State Police announced.  According to troopers, Pentenrieder had inappropriate contact with two children under the age of 14 between November 2021 and January 2024. The children were not related to him, police said.  Pentenrieder has been charged with the following:  Forcible touching;  Second- and th…

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by Ben Crnic
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