ROTTERDAM Police: Tow truck death not crime Driver didn’t see man jump on vehicle, probe finds BY STEVEN COOK Gazette Reporter
The tow truck driver who ran over and killed a Rotterdam man last month while repossessing the man’s vehicle did not know that the man had jumped on the truck as he pulled away, police said. The driver also feared for his safety after the accident, calling for help as he left and flagging down a state trooper two blocks away. Police on Friday announced the results of their six-week investigation into the Aug. 2 death of Edward Kosloski, finding that tow truck driver Jeff Theakos did nothing criminal. They also released a new timeline of events for that day, including the vehicle repossession that began with no one home but was delayed when the truck driver and a helper had to replace two wheels that had been removed. The delays resulted in Kosloski’s family returning home, followed by Kosloski himself. Kosloski returned in a vehicle with three friends. He had also been drinking, authorities said. “It was accidental, and undoubtably there will be civil litigation,” Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney said. “But there was insufficient reason and cause to believe that a crime occurred.” Rotterdam police detectives met with Carney Friday afternoon, completing their decision not to charge Theakos. State police also assisted in reconstructing the accident. Investigators focused on two aspects of the incident: How the initial accident occurred and Theakos’ response to the accident. The tow truck operators came that afternoon, police said, expecting to take back Kosloski’s Ford Excursion from the family’s 23B Long Ave. home. They arrived to find that two of its wheels had been removed. Authorities stopped short of saying they were removed intentionally to impede a repossession. But that was the result. Family attorney Christopher Flint said previously that they were aware the company was coming to repossess the truck that day. He said Kosloski’s wife had agreed to surrender the vehicle. Flint could not be reached for comment Friday evening. As the men put the wheels back on, Kosloski’s family began return- ing home. Then Kosloski returned, in a vehicle with three friends, police said. Police believe Kosloski and two of the friends began walking toward the tow truck; some witness accounts include another man in a pickup truck attempting to block the way of the truck. Rotterdam police Lt. Michael Brown said, “He felt his physical safety was at risk.” Theakos locked the cab doors. With the Excursion hooked up on the flatbed, he went to leave, just after 5 p.m. The helper at this time was not in the truck. That’s when police believe Kosloski jumped on the vehicle. Through their attorney, the family said Kosloski was trying to get a tool box. Police believe he was trying to get the driver to stop to talk to him about the truck being taken. Theakos saw Kosloski earlier off to the side. He believed he was still there when he pulled away, authorities said. “We believe that he jumped onto the side of the tow truck at the time the driver was pulling forward and turning,” Carney said. “The driver would not have seen him at that point.” Kosloski soon fell and was run over by the truck’s passenger side rear tire. The incident was witnessed by neighbors and Kosloski’s family, including his 11-year-old son. Kosloski was rushed to Ellis Hospital, but he soon died of his injuries. Theakos continued driving. Police said he was still afraid of what might happen if he stayed. He called the Holmes & Kugler dispatcher, telling them to call police. Two blocks away, at Hamburg Street, Theakos flagged down a state trooper. Police initially reported that the trooper stopped him. “They determined that he initially left the scene because he was in legitimate fear for his safety,” Carney said. “He made efforts as he was driving away to contact police.” Tests on Theakos’ blood came back negative for alcohol or drugs, authorities said. Tests on Kosloski, however, came back positive for alcohol, authorities said. They didn’t say how much, but they believe it was a factor in his decision-making. “Obviously, it’s a tragic accident, a tragic incident,” Brown said. “We worked with the DA’s office, and the conclusion we both came to was that the driver really didn’t act in a criminally negligent or reckless manner.”
ROTTERDAM POLICE DEPARTMENT Anthony Brown, 27, of Forrest Road, Schenectady, was charged August 26 with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and second-degree criminal impersonation. Timothy Beck, 27, of Congress Street, Schenectady, was charged August 26 with aggravated driving while intoxicated. Richard Lasher, 50, of Palma Avenue, was charged August 27 with driving while intoxicated. Paul Marco, 61, of Hamburg Street, was charged August 27 with driving with ability impaired by drugs. David Balko, 17, of Thompson Street, Schenectady, was charged August 27 with second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument. Jonathon Parker, 19, of E. Campbell Road, was charged August 27 with fourth-degree criminal mischief and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property. Nicholas Zotta, 26, of Guilderland Avenue, was charged August 27 with third-degree criminal mischief. Lamar Belk, 19, of Bridge Street, Schenectady, was charged August 28 with petty larceny. Nicole Cockrell, 29, of State Street, Schenectady, was charged August 28 with petty larceny. Alicia Cramer, 19, of Hibbard Street, Amsterdam, was charged August 28 with petty larceny. Crystal Crusado, 18, of James Street, Amsterdam, was charged August 28 with petty larceny. Eric Green, 33, of Francis Avenue, Schenectady, was charged August 28 with petty larceny. Tiffany Rourke, 22, of High Street, Amsterdam, was charged August 28 with petty larceny. Casey Greenwald, 28, of Second Avenue, Schenectady, was charged August 28 with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
PUBLIC RECORD ROTTERDAM POLICE DEPARTMENT Bryan Sheckton, 30, of County Highway 12, Broadalbin, was charged August 29 with petty larceny. David Reinhardt, 36, of Hegeman Street, Schenectady, was charged August 29 with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and second-degree obstruction of governmental administration. Rashaun Priest, 18, of Jerome Street, Schenectady, was charged August 29 with petty larceny. Vincent Seyboth, 24, of Fairview Avenue, Schenectady, was charged August 29 with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Travis Anderson, 23, Dunnsville Road, was charged August 30 with second-degree harassment. Marisol Gonzalez, 35, of Grove Street, Amsterdam, was charged August 30 with petty larceny. Pablo Vazquez, 31, of Grove Street, Amsterdam, was charged August 31 with petty larceny. Benjamin Beekman, 45, of Main Avenue, Schenectady, was charged August 31 with attempted fourthdegree grand larceny and petty larceny. Richard Gould, 21, of Curry Road, Schenectady, was charged September 1 with third-degree bail jumping. Christopher Ward, 29, of Windsor Drive, Niskayuna, was charged September 2 with third-degree criminal mischief, third-degree criminal tampering and seconddegree harassment. Ralph Dott, 54, of Saratoga Road, Ballston Spa, was charged September 4 with petty larceny. Michael Kowalski, 43, of Dianne Court, was charged September 4 with second-degree harassment. Pierre Hyacinth, 47, of Lent Court, was charged September 4 with second-degree harassment. Richard Gould, 21, of Curry Road, Schenectady, was charged September 4 with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Winoma Kronsberg, 31, of Wayto Road, Schenectady, was charged September 4 with second-degree menacing.
Police say thieves stole from cars near Curry Road ROTTERDAM — Police are warning residents to lock their vehicles after a string a thefts reported in the vicinity of Curry Road last weekend. Lt. Michael Brown said at least eight vehicles were entered between late Friday and early Sunday, with wallets, purses, personal electronics and cash taken. “It appears they’re checking vehicles,” he said of the thieves. “If they’re open, they’re going in them; if they’re locked, they’re moving on.” Brown said a car was stolen from Bigsby Village and was found abandoned Saturday in brush near Sportsman’s Bowl on Crane Street. Brown also said a car on Ferguson Street was damaged when someone attempted to break into it and another on Butler Street had its windows shot out with a BB gun. “We’re not sure if they’re related,” he said. “They need to keep their vehicles locked overnight and any remove valuables,” he said. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact investigators at 355-7397.
SAFE CHILDREN ROTTERDAM — The Rotterdam Police Department is now participating in the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services’ Missing and Exploited Children Clearinghouse, also known as Operation Safe Child. The program uses digital fingerprint technology and high resolution photography to produce a “Safe Child Card” containing a child’s name, biographical information, photo and fingerprint images. Any youth organization within the town of Rotterdam is welcome to utilize this resource by calling 355-7331 to schedule an appointment.
This is just bizarre---does it help---I dont know??,,,but it appears to be the biological gathering of info to fill Mr.Spitzer,Mr.Bush, or anyother Mr/Mrs.Politician's data base....we are "pre-fingerprinting" for future crimes??????......... Is Walmart or anyother store, school, colosseum etc closed down and a total search for fingerprints done??? I just dont get it---then again I am not in LAW ENFORCEMENT......??????????
Minority Report......
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
Finger printing may have it's place, but I haven't heard of a case in a long time that was solved by identifying someone in a crime by fingerprints. The new and improved method is DNA these days! That's the new data base for criminals!
I must say, though, in recent days, I HAVE seen the Rotterdam Police pulling over many more people on Princetown Road...and I'm happy to see it. Finally, they are starting to protect our children and at the same time, when these people pay their fines and court costs (if they decide to fight it), then maybe we'll have a little MORE relief when it comes to taxes. Let the court and the police department bringin closer to enough to pay for the combination of the 2.
Proud Rotterdam Resident Proud Patriot Proud Conservative Republican Proud Christian
ROTTERDAM POLICE DEPARTMENT Ralph Dott, 54, of Saratoga Road, Ballston Spa, was charged Sept. 4 with petty larceny. Michael Kowalski, 43, of Dianne Court, was charged Sept. 4 with second-degree harassment. Pierre Hyacinth, 47, of Lent Court, was charged Sept. 4 with second-degree harassment. Richard Gould, 21, of Curry Road, Schenectady, was charged Sept. 4 with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Winona Kronsberg, 31, of Wayto Road, Schenectady, was charged Sept. 4 with second-degree menacing. John Santuccione, 17, of Helen St., was charged Sept. 5 with disorderly conduct. Amy Giovannangelo, 20, of Kenmore Ave., was charged Sept. 5 with petty larceny. Jeffrey Galarza, 26, of Linden St., Schenectady, was charged Sept. 5 with petty larceny. Michael Salluzzo, 37, of Coniston Road, Schenectady, was charged Sept. 6 with aggravated driving while intoxicated. Demar Reinfurt, 27, of Barrett St., Schenectady, was charged Sept. 7 as a fugitive from justice, a felony. Steven Hartridge, 33, of Landon Terrace, Schenectady, was charged Sept. 7 with disorderly conduct. Paul Sausville, 38, of Parklawn Ave., was charged Sept. 7 with second-degree forgery. William Pokeda, 29, of Wayto Road, was charged Sept. 7 with first-degree rape and first-degree sodomy. Erin Oneal, 16, of Paulding St., Schenectady, was charged Sept. 7 with petty larceny. Randall Anderson, 21, of Guilderland Ave., Schenectady, was charged Sept. 8 with first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and driving while intoxicated, a felony. Michael Dambrosio, 19, of Marengo St., Schenectady, was charged Sept. 8 with petty larceny. Tracy Blond, 27, of Lansing St., Schenectady, was charged Sept. 9 with petty larceny. Tiffany Cruz, 17, of Lansing St., Schenectady, was charged Sept. 9 with petty larceny. Dominque Lucas, 21, of Maple Ave., Schenectady, was charged Sept. 9 with first-degree robbery. Tiffany Tolliver, 21, of Albany St., Schenectady, was charged Sept. 9 with first-degree robbery. Vito Sorrenti, 50, of Mariaville Road, was charged Sept. 9 with driving while intoxicated. James Salvo, 36, of Chiswell Road, Schenectady, was charged Sept. 10 with second-degree assault, second-degree reckless endangerment, resisting arrest and unlawful flight from police. Paula White, 38, of Andalusia Ave., New Port Richey, was charged Sept. 10 with first-degree criminal contempt. David Callahan, 27, of Woodridge Ave., was charged Sept. 10 with fourth-degree criminal mischief and second-degree harassment.
Dominque Lucas, 21, of Maple Ave., Schenectady, was charged Sept. 9 with first-degree robbery. Tiffany Tolliver, 21, of Albany St., Schenectady, was charged Sept. 9 with first-degree robbery.
what about the physical stuff like the bleach??? Or can they only use what is right at hand like robbery???
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
ROTTERDAM POLICE DEPARTMENT Bryan Beckingham, 21, of Linden Street, Schenectady, was charged Sept. 13 with driving while intoxicated and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration. Angelic Constantino, 37, of Florence Avenue, Ballston Spa, was charged Sept. 13 with driving with ability impaired by drugs. Benjmain Christmas, 43, of Eleanor Street, Schenectady, was charged Sept. 13 with petty larceny. Joseph Disanto, 41, of Newell Road, was charged Sept. 14 with second-degree harassment. John Laniewski, 21, of Pauline Avenue, was charged Sept. 14 with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Fatimah Abdulal-Hadi, 22, of Ellendale Drive, Schenectady, was charged Sept. 14 with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Joshua Faboskay, 20, of Fairview Place, Amsterdam, was charged Sept. 14 with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Tony Swain, 16, of Congress Street, Schenectady, was charged Sept. 15 with petty larceny. Lamont Parker, 39, of Star Route 7, Richmondville, was charged Sept. 16 with petty larceny. Shelton Cook, 32, of Third Avenue, Schenectady, was charged Sept. 17 with second-degree harassment. Quineisha Green, 25, of Delamont Avenue, Schenectady, was charged Sept. 17 with second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument. Daniel Jones, 29, of Route 9P, Saratoga Springs, was charged Sept. 17 with fourth-degree grand larceny. Kirin Burford, 47, of State Street, Schenectady, was charged Sept. 18 with petty larceny. Brian Badger, 34, of Greenpoint Avenue, Schenectady, was charged Sept. 18 with second-degree harassment. Wali Kocer, 17, of McClenan Street, Schenectady, was charged Sept. 18 with third-degree bail jumping. Robin Campbell, 39, of Central Avenue, Albany, was charged Sept. 18 with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Kyle Walters, 18, of Copperknoll Road, Fort Plain, was charged Sept. 19 with petty larceny. Sandra Caruso, 47, of Mariaville Road, was charged Sept. 19 with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Robert Demario, 32, of Belleaire Drive, Scotia, was charged Sept. 19 with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Shaquona Atkins, 24, of Albany Street, Schenectady, was charged Sept. 20 with issuing a bad check. Steve Williams, 22, of Noyes Street, Utica, was charged Sept. 22 with petty larceny. Donald Birch III, 23, of Ontario Street, Schenectady, was charged Sept. 23 with third-degree bail jumping, disorderly conduct and second-degree obstruction of governmental administration. Sondra Cridelle, 35, of VanVranken Avenue, Schenectady, was charged Sept. 24 with second-degree aggravated harassment. Daniel Graham, 30, of Liberty Street, Schenectady, was charged Sept. 24 with second-degree attempted aggravated harassment and second-degree criminal contempt. Natasha Mason, 29, of Crane Street, Schenectady, was charged Sept. 24 with three counts of issuing a bad check. Jeanette Mastan-Kyea, 39, of Troy-Schenectady Road, was charged Sept. 24 with fourth-degree stalking. Christina Miranda, 27, of State Street, Schenectady, was charged Sept. 24 with issuing a bad check. Daniel Schermerhorn, 41, of State Street, Schenectady, was charged Sept. 24 with petty larceny. Anthony Urbinas, 44, of Bradford Street, Schenectady, was charged Sept. 24 with issuing a bad check. Anthony Williams, 37, of Avondale Terrace, Albany, was charged Sept. 24 with petty larceny.
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