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4 more charged
in graffi ti incident
   ROTTERDAM — Four more Schalmont seniors have been charged with spray-painting graffi ti on the high school building.
   Adam Alteri, 18, of Donald Drive, Nicholas Bonitatibus, 18 of Masullo Parkway, Joseph Lontrato, 17, of Horizon Boulevard and Christopher Longo, 17, of Maria Court all surrendered themselves to Rotterdam Police last week in connection with the June 10 incident.
   Police said the four students were among a group of six that vandalized an outside wall of the school. Schalmont seniors Frank Costanza and Jack Macejka were both arrested on identical charges last week.
   The four students arrested Thursday were ordered held overnight in Schenectady County Jail and released to the custody of their parents Friday.
   Superintendent Valerie Kelsey said last week the vandalism wasn't extensive and was easily remedied. Kelsey also declined to discuss any disciplinary action taken against the students.
   Rotterdam Police said the investigation into the incident is complete and no further arrests are anticipated.

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Kelsey also declined to discuss any disciplinary action taken against the students.

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Mistrial in DA impersonation case
BY STEVEN COOK Gazette Reporter
Reach Gazette reporter Steven Cook at 395-3122 or scook@dailygazette.net.

Prosecutors say a Rotterdam man impersonated a district attorney’s office official while conducting his own investigation into a burglary last summer.
The man’s defense attorney says he never impersonated anyone and was simply someone trying to do the right thing.
A Schenectady City Court jury said they couldn’t decide.
The jury, which heard the case over three days last week, came back deadlocked Monday. A mistrial was declared.
Gustavo Kaplan, 31, had faced jail time, accused of telling a woman Aug. 11 that he was working with the Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office on a burglary investigation.
   The woman, however, questioned that and called police. He was charged with criminal impersonation, a misdemeanor.
   Prosecutor Erin Brownell tried the case over three days last week.
   She said she did not believe Kaplan had malicious intent. She noted that Kaplan has a master’s degree in criminal justice. Nonetheless, she said, they can’t have people saying they are with the district attorney’s office when they’re not.
   “It takes away the trust people have in the criminal justice system,” she said.
   “I don’t think he was trying to hurt anybody, but I do think he was trying to put himself into an investigation.”
   At the center of the case was a burglary in the city. Kaplan heard information about a burglary involving a disabled victim and he wanted to help. When he talked to the woman, he was trying to fi nd out where the victim lived.
   Kaplan defense attorney Adam Parisi said Kaplan asked questions, but never said he was with the district attorney’s offi ce.
   The information he found also turned out to be correct, Parisi said.
   “He wants to do the right thing,” Parisi said. “The dispute was when the nurse says she heard one thing and Gustavo said another.”
   Kaplan, who does tutoring and did work with a local attorney prior to this case, said the prosecution should make anyone rethink helping out in the future.
   “There’s no incentive for people to come forward with information,” he said. “They could get charged themselves.”  

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Police looking for suspects in home invasion
Updated: 6/21/2007
By: Web Staff

  
  
Several suspects are on the loose after a home invasion in Rotterdam Junction.

Police said five to six men stormed into a house on Gardenier Street late Wednesday night.

Two men and a woman were inside at the time. The men were forced into the basement at gunpoint, while the woman hid somewhere else.

One of the men later escaped and managed to go next door for help.

Residents said this is usually a quiet and safe neighborhood.

Neighbor Carl Ramundo said, "You just you have to be a little more on your toes I suppose. You know, it's just very unsuspecting so I guess it could just happen anywhere."

Investigators said the suspects didn't take anything.

Anyone with information is asked to call Rotterdam police.

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ROTTERDAM JUNCTION
Masked men invade home
2 residents hit in head with guns
BY STEVEN COOK Gazette Reporter

   A Gardenier Street home was invaded around midnight Wednesday by a group of masked men demanding money, police said.
   The men barged into 342 Gardenier St. and ordered the three residents to the floor. Two of the residents were struck in the head with guns, but no one was hurt seriously, according to police.
   The men fled empty-handed after a resident escaped and summoned police.
   None of the occupants said they recognized the attackers, police said, and they gave only vague descriptions of the group. The attackers were between the ages of 18 and 20, of small to medium build, wearing black hoodies over their heads and bandanas across their faces.
   Rotterdam Police Department spokesman Lt. Jason Murphy said the attack happened in an isolated area just off Mabie Lane near Route 5S by the Schenectady International plant.
   Gardenier Street was quiet enough Thursday afternoon for a friendly-looking white dog to wander freely to greet visitors.
   “It’s a quiet neighborhood,” Murphy said. “A call of that nature is uncommon.”
   The house itself is a two-story gray structure with a pool in the backyard. Sitting at a picnic table outside Thursday afternoon was a man who said he was one of the occupants. He declined to give his name.
He said he was on the couch in the front room just before midnight when the group barged in, though not all at once.
   The front door was open, he said. “You don’t have to lock your doors around here.”
   His first reaction, he said, was that it was a joke. That quickly evaporated as he was forced to the floor. He said his sister’s boyfriend escaped to a neighbor’s house, ending the brief ordeal.
He said he didn’t know what the men were looking for. He speculated they had bad information.
   He said he got a bump on his head and was shaken up, but was otherwise fine.
   As he spoke, he finished an ice cream cone. “This is the first thing I’ve eaten all day,” he said.

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ROTTERDAM POLICE DEPARTMENT
Patrick Pardi, 36, of Guilderland Avenue, was charged May 22 with disorderly conduct. Maria Rivera, 32, of Hamburg Street, Schenectady, was charged May 24 with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. William Waterson, 17, of Kenmore Avenue, was charged May 25 with unlawful possession of marijuana. Marcel Jacobs, 42, of Grant Avenue, Schenectady, was charged May 26 with petty larceny. Lisa Maynard, 43, of Ninth Avenue, Watervliet, was charged May 26 with driving while intoxicated, a felony. Christopher Andrako, 28, of South Ferry Street, Schenectady, was charged May 26 with fourthdegree grand larceny. Richard Anthony, 19, of Wellington Avenue, was charged May 27 with petty larceny.
   Mary Littleton, 46, of Bridle Pathway, Schenectady, was charged May 28 with aggravated driving while intoxicated.
   Michael Lafountain, 24, of Lafountain Lane, Granville, was charged May 28 with driving with ability impaired by drugs and thirddegree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
   Daniel Noreen, 27, of Kellar Avenue, was charged May 29 with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration.
   Rodney Murphy, 37, of Division Street, Schenectady, was charged May 29 with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
   Markita Hall, 29, of Webster Street, Schenectady, was charged May 29 with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
   Aaron Willman, 43, of Delamont Avenue, Schenectady, was charged May 29 with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
   Shontia Santiago, 26, of Bradley Street, Schenectady, was charged May 30 with second-degree harassment.
   Christopher Russo, 18, of Eastern Parkway, Schenectady, was charged May 30 with second-degree obstruction of governmental administration and petty larceny.
   Joel Ward, 28, of Chrisler Avenue, Schenectady, was charged May 30 with second-degree harassment.
   Robert Hall, 20, of Maplewood Avenue, Schenectady, was charged May 31 with two counts of seconddegree harassment, third-degree criminal mischief, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
   Natalya Aliyeva, 36, of Troy, was charged May 31 with petty larceny.
   Jennifer Bacon, 27, of James Street, Schenectady, was charged May 31 with second-degree harassment.
   Leonid Dumsky, 42, of Sixth Avenue B, Troy, was charged May 31 with petty larceny.
   Jason Galietta, 29, of Hamburg Street, Schenectady, was charged June 1 with second-degree criminal contempt.
   Keith Oconnor, 19, of Cox Avenue, Schenectady, was charged June 2 with operating a motor vehicle with a restriction and unlawful possession of marijuana.
   Gustavo Kaplan, 31, of Morning Glory Way, Schenectady, was charged June 2 with second-degree imprisonment.
   Kathleen Lanoux, 46, of Webster Street, Schenectady, was charged June 4 with endangering the welfare of a child.
   Angel Leone, 20, of Seventh Avenue, Schenectady, was charged June 4 with third-degree bail jumping.
   Lakema Keller, 28, of Division Street, Schenectady, was charged June 4 with second-degree harassment.
   Ashley Parker, 16, of East Campbell Road, Schenectady, was charged June 4 with third-degree assault.
   Heidi Schmelzlen, 18, of Woodbridge Avenue, Schenectady, was charged June 4 with third-degree criminal trespassing.
   Kevin Sheroka, 19, of Granville Avenue, was charged June 4 with second-degree aggravated harassment.
   Ryan Stem, 17, of Becker Street, Schenectady, was charged June 4 with petty larceny.
   Danielle Daniels, 37, of Avenue H, Schenectady, was charged June 4 with second-degree criminal contempt.
   Eduardo Oquendo, 30, of Northampton Road, Amsterdam, was charged June 5 with petty larceny.
   Shauntia Lockett, 16, of Summit Avenue, Schenectady, was charged June 5 with petty larceny.
   William Shippey, 35, of Fourth Avenue, Schenectady, was charged June 5 with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
   Joseph Scepkowski, 20, of Wabash Avenue, Schenectady, was charged June 6 with second-degree criminal contempt, fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, second-degree harassment and petty larceny.  

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PUBLIC RECORD
POLICE BLOTTER
ROTTERDAM POLICE DEPARTMENT
Angel Leone, 20, of Seventh Avenue, Schenectady, was charged June 7 with third-degree bail jumping. Anthony Ferrara, 44, of Swampscott Street, was charged June 7 with two counts of third-degree assault. Elizabeth Sanchez, 35, of Bayard Street, Amsterdam, was charged June 7 with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Steven Doulides, 27, of County Line Road, Schenectady, was charged June 7 with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Rudranath Shiwsanker, 22, of Summit Avenue, Schenectady, was charged June 8 with petty larceny.
   Frank Costanzo, 18, of Wendy Court, Schenectady, was charged June 9 with fifth-degree conspiracy, third-degree criminal mischief, third-degree criminal trespassing and making graffiti.
   Jack Macejka, 17, of Columba Drive, was charged June 9 with fifth-degree conspiracy, third-degree criminal mischief, third-degree criminal trespassing and making graffiti.
   Neema Ramroop, 20, of Webster Street, Schenectady, was charged June 9 with petty larceny.
   Erica Norton, 27, of Chrisler Avenue, Schenectady, was charged June 10 with petty larceny.
   Baldat Indarjit, 44, of Brandywine Avenue, Schenectady, was charged June 10 with driving while intoxicated.
   Ahmad Khoshbin, 26, of Netherlands Blvd., was charged June 10 with third-degree assault.
   Michael Milewski, 33, of Kings Road, Schenectady, was charged June 11 with driving while intoxicated.
   David Morris, 38, of Pearl Street, Albany, was charged June 11 with fourth-degree grand larceny.

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Frank Costanzo, 18, of Wendy Court, Schenectady, was charged June 9 with fifth-degree conspiracy, third-degree criminal mischief, third-degree criminal trespassing and making graffiti.

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Thefts alleged for drug purchases

SCHENECTADY — A city woman was indicted on felony grand larceny and other charges in connection with allegedly stealing and using credit cards to support a drug habit.
Danene Campbell, 39, of 227 Furman St., also was indicted by a Schenectady County grand jury on criminal possession of stolen property, forgery and attempted forgery.
The indictment states she used stolen credit cards at Price Chopper at Mohawk Commons, Price Chopper on Eastern Parkway and at various locations in Rotterdam Square Mall on Jan. 25 and Feb. 1.
According to Rotterdam Police, Campbell would prey on people who left their purses or wallets unattended in shopping carts at grocery stores. She would pluck credit cards then purchase items to would later sell to support her crack habit, police said.
When police searched her home, they said they found credit cards and more than $4,000 worth of merchandise.

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Chase in city, Rotterdam involves several agencies

   ROTTERDAM — A city man allegedly led police from several agencies on a chase after he was stopped on Interstate-890 Thursday night. The man was reportedly wanted on a larceny warrant out of Glenville.
   Rotterdam police stopped the man, whose identity has not been confirmed, around 8:30 p.m.
   The man allegedly sped away as the Rotterdam officer, Michael Rumbaugh, approached his vehicle. A chase followed into Schenectady with other agencies including state police, Schenectady, Colonie and Niskayuna. The pursuit included the suspect driving onto railroad tracks off Chrisler Avenue in Rotterdam, with a pursuing Rotterdam car damaged at that point.
   The man stopped his car on Manchester Road in Woodlawn and fled on foot.
   He had not been caught late Thursday but his identity was confirmed, police said. Charges are pending.  

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The man was reportedly wanted on a larceny warrant out of Glenville.

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Camera doesn’t lie: Cops told the truth

   It was nice to read in the June 29 Gazette that videocameras installed in police cars are a help. They are certainly a necessary thing to have. The statement [by a city attorney], “The video and the audio both demonstrated the officers were acting in a professional manner ...”, says it all.
   NADINE PUTORTI
   Rotterdam

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ROTTERDAM POLICE
   DEPARTMENT
   Richard Trinci, 42, of Mount Stuart Road, was charged June 12 with endangering the welfare of a child, two counts of second-degree harassment and second-degree menacing.
   Rosanna Wildermuth, 39, of Mount Stuart Road, was charged June 12 with endangering the welfare of a child and second-degree menacing.
   Allen Crigger, 26, of Brandywine Avenue, Schenectady, was charged June 14 with petty larceny.
   Rafael Gonzalez, 27, of Main Street, Schenectady, was charged June 14 with petty larceny.
   Adam Alteri, 18, of Donald Drive, Schenectady, was charged June 14 with fifth-degree conspiracy, thirddegree criminal mischief, third-degree criminal trespassing and making graffiti.
   Nicholas Bonitatibus, 18, of Masullo Pkwy., Schenectady, was charged June 14 with fifth-degree conspiracy, third-degree criminal mischief, third-degree criminal trespassing and making graffiti.
   Bobbie Civitello, 27, of Euclid Avenue, Schenectady, was charged June 14 with fifth-degree criminal possession of marijuana and fifthdegree criminal possession of stolen property.
   Christopher Longo, 17, of Maria Court, Schenectady, was charged June 14 with fifth-degree conspiracy, third-degree criminal mischief, third-degree criminal trespassing and making graffiti.
   Joseph Lontrato, 17, of Horizon Blvd., Schenectady, was charged June 14 with fifth-degree conspiracy, third-degree criminal mischief, third-degree criminal trespassing and making graffiti.
   David Callahan, 27, of Woodbridge Avenue, was charged June 14 with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.
   John Contakos, 30, of Curry Road, was charged June 15 with third-degree assault and third-degree criminal mischief.
   Shane Hunter, 18, of Wiley Street, Schenectady, was charged June 15 with petty larceny.
   Jeanine Arrunategui, 18, of Hoosac Street, Johnstown, was charged June 16 with petty larceny.
   Jennifer Baker, 19, of State Highway 67, Fort Plain, was charged June 16 with petty larceny.
   Lorenzo Ross, 42, of Lafayette Street, Schenectady, was charged June 16 with petty larceny.
   Michael Liska, 27, of Carman Road, was charged June 17 with second-degree harassment and resisting arrest.
   Miguel Cadiz, 30, of N. Westcott Road, Schenectady, was charged June 17 with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.
   Jason Sprague, 27, of Kings Road, Schenectady, was charged June 17 with second-degree menacing.
   Linda Brown, 30, of Broadway, was charged June 18 with seconddegree harassment.
   Christopher Garrow, 21, of Fairfax Avenue, Schenectady, was charged June 18 with third-degree bail jumping.
   Brittany Kellogg, 17, of Suffolk Avenue, Schenectady, was charged June 18 with third-degree criminal trespassing.
   Scott Shafer, 39, of Elmer Street, Schenectady, was charged June 19 with third-degree burglary.
   Edward Varno, 44, of Palma Avenue, was charged June 19 with second-degree harassment.
   Sarah Moore, 23, of Stanley Street, Schenectady, was charged June 19 with petty larceny.
   Beatrice Gray, 21, of Van Vranken Avenue, Schenectady, was charged June 20 with false personation and petty larceny.
   Athena Yoxall, 42, of Palazini Drive, was charged June 20 with issuing a bad check.
   Milo Martinez, 16, of Taylor Street, Schenectady, was charged June 20 with fourth-degree criminal mischief, second-degree reckless endangerment and reckless endangerment of property.
   Jay Cole, 29, of Hawthorne Street, Albany, was charged June 20 with driving while intoxicated.
   James Kress, 45, of Hamburg Street, was charged June 21 with fourth-degree grand larceny.
   Russell Pendt, 20, of Bridge Street, Schenectady, was charged June 21 with second-degree burglary and fourth-degree criminal mischief.
   Cassandra Christman, 16, of N. Pinetree Drive, Gloversville, was charged June 21 with petty larceny.
   Rachael Colon, 25, of Park Place, Schenectady, was charged June 23 with first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and driving while intoxicated.
Tonya Davenport, 28, of Congress Street, Schenectady, was charged June 23 with third-degree bail jumping and petty larceny.
John Martini, 28, of Droms Road, Scotia, was charged June 23 with second-degree burglary.
Greg Soucia, 21, of Elm Street, Duanesburg, was charged June 23 with petty larceny.
John Matarazzo, 35, of Route 5S, Pattersonville, was charged June 24 with second-degree assault, petty larceny and resisting arrest.
Elysa Leiva, 24, of Eighth Avenue, Schenectady, was charged June 24 with petty larceny.
Mark Cooper, 42, of Cox Avenue, Schenectady, was charged June 25 with issuing a bad check.
   Keith Oconnor, 19, of Cox Avenue, Schenectady, was charged June 25 with driving with ability impaired by drugs and violation of a license restriction.
   Shirley Allen, 47, of Second Street, Albany, was charged June 25 with third-degree bail jumping and third-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument.
   Paula Bennice, 37, of The Plaza, Schenectady, was charged June 25 with third-degree criminal tampering.
   Donald D’Allessandris, 60, of Paul Avenue, Schenectady, was charged June 25 with first-degree harassment.

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ROTTERDAM POLICE
DEPARTMENT
Rocco Bonitatibus III, 39, of Earl Street, Schenectady, was charged June 26 with third- and fourthdegree criminal possession of a weapon.
Kenneth Carr, 59, of Oak Point, New Milford, was charged June 27 with third-degree assault.
Aaron Karnes, 18, of Vley Road, Glenville, was charged June 27 with possession of an alcoholic beverage by person under the age of 21.
Matthew Olds, 17, of Charles Street, Scotia, was charged June 27 with possession of an alcoholic beverage by a person under the age of 21.
Rosanna Wildermuth, 39, of Joyous Lane, Scotia, was charged June 28 with endangering the welfare of a child and second-degree menacing. Kwame Miller, 27, of Lucy Road, was charged June 28 with fourthdegree grand larceny.
   Richard Trinci, 42, of Mount Stewart Road, was charged June 28 with endangering the welfare of a child and second-degree harassment.
   Devin Andres, 30, of Dean Street, Schenectady, was charged June 28 with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.  

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POLICE BLOTTER
ROTTERDAM POLICE DEPARTMENT
Charleen Rogers, 20, of County Line Road, was charged June 28 with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
   Tyquawn Terry, 16, of Chrisler Avenue, Schenectady, was charged June 29 with petty larceny.
   Ryan McFarland, 16, of Albany Street, Schenectady, was charged June 29 with petty larceny.
   Breaanne Garahan, 20, of Elder Street, Schenectady, was charged June 29 with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

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PUBLIC RECORD
POLICE BLOTTER
ROTTERDAM POLICE DEPARTMENT
Bernadette Haney, 47, of Lakeside Avenue, Malta, was charged June 30 with petty larceny. Denise Northrup, 19, of Locust Avenue, Schenectady, was charged June 30 with petty larceny and second-degree robbery. Samuel Gilbert, 22, of Maryvale, Schenectady, was charged June 30 with failure to appear. Jason Hall, 22, of Shannon Street, Schenectady, was charged June 30 with third-degree burglary. Daniel Graham, 29, of Quackenbush Road, was charged June 30 with third-degree attempted assault and endangering the welfare of a child.
   Jesse Chestnut, 19, of Court Royal, Schenectady, was charged June 30 with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
   Sarah Driessen, 20, of Rose Street, Delanson, was charged June 30 with petty larceny.
   Jenna Orrick, 18, of Main Street, Delanson, was charged June 30 with petty larceny.
   Jonathan Gardiner, 17, of Batter Street, Pattersonville, was charged July 1 with unlawful possession of marijuana.
   Matthew Kessler, 16, of Guilderland Avenue, was charged July 1 with unlawful possession of marijuana.
   Tomas Sanchez, 17, of Congress Street, Schenectady, was charged July 1 with disorderly conduct and second-degree obstruction of governmental administration.
   Edward Kosloski, 23, of Long Avenue, was charged July 1 with second-degree harassment.
   Gerald Deitz, 48, of Forrest Road, Schenectady, was charged July 1 with third-degree assault.
   Kelly Charland, 41, of Garland Place, Schenectady, was charged July 1 with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
   Shaima Gellineau, 21, of Howard Street, Schenectady, was charged July 2 with petty larceny.
   Michael West, 60, of Glengary Road, was charged July 2 with second-degree menacing.
   Anthony DeFilippo, 25, of River Road, was charged July 2 with fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and second-degree criminal possession of marijuana.
   Aubrey DeFilippo, 27, of River Road, was charged July 2 with fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and second-degree criminal possession of a marijuana.
   Paula Haviland, 36, of Country Brook Court, was charged July 2 with second-degree harassment.
   James Reed, 23, of Shannon Street, Schenectady, was charged July 2 with two counts of seconddegree burglary and two counts of fourth-degree conspiracy.
   John Martini, 28, of Droms Road, Scotia, was charged July 2 with second-degree burglary.
   Claude Anderson, 55, of Sixth Avenue, Schenectady, was charged July 2 with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
   Manjet Dulku, 19, of Becker Street, Schenectady, was charged July 5 with fourth-degree grand larceny.
   Jimmy Thomas, 59, of Lark Drive, Albany, was charged July 6 with petty larceny.
   Leila Iadicicco, 25, no address available, was charged July 7 with second-degree burglary.
   Timothy Felano, 48, of Albany Street, Schenectady, was charged July 8 with criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument and fourth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance.
   Tiffany Jendreski, 18, of Harrison Street, Schenectady, was charged July 10 with second-degree criminal impersonation.

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Teen gun thief charged with house burglary
   ROTTERDAM — The 15-yearold boy whom police described as the leader of a group of teenagers who stole dozens of guns from the Taylor & Vadney sporting goods shop last year has been arrested again and charged with burglary, a felony.
   Francis Auleta of 2835 Broadway, now nearly 17, was charged with burglarizing a residence on Fort Hunter Road. A 15-year-old was also arrested in connection to the burglary; police did not release his name because of his age. They charged him with burglary, possession of stolen property and grand larceny, all felonies. The minor will face those charges in Family Court.
   Auleta is now old enough to stand trial.
   His criminal record goes back at least a year. He was arrested twice on charges of stealing guns from Taylor & Vadney last summer, including one heist in which a group of teenagers took 21 guns. Police said Auleta came up with the idea and proposed it to a group of older teenagers, all of whom were arrested after the burglaries.
   Because of his age, Auleta was sent to Family Court, where he was sentenced to nine months in county jail.
   He was released on June 22. Five weeks later, police say he was burglarizing the house on Fort Hunter Road.
   If convicted, he faces 3 to 15 years in prison.

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ROTTERDAM
Man struck, killed during repossession
Police question driver of flatbed truck
BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter

   Police said a Rotterdam man was fatally injured Thursday when he was struck by a flatbed tow truck whose driver had repossessed the man’s pickup truck.
   Rotterdam police said Edward Kosloski, 44, confronted the operator of the Holmes and Kugler Towing truck in front of his residence at 23 Long Ave., as it was pulling away with his pickup in tow shortly after 5 p.m. At some point during the confrontation, Kosloski was struck by the tow truck and suffered traumatic injuries, police said.
   The tow truck operator, who police declined to name, drove about a quarter-mile away from the accident scene, until he was stopped by state police at the Hamburg Street intersection with Altamont Avenue. Kosloski was rushed by ambulance to Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, where he was later pronounced dead.
   Shortly after the accident, Rotterdam police were seen interviewing the tow truck driver in the parking lot of the former Tip Toe Inn off Altamont Avenue in Schenectady. The driver did not appear to be in police custody at the time. His flatbed was hauling a white, full-sized pickup.
   Rotterdam police Lt. Michael Brown said investigators were questioning the driver Thursday evening, but hadn’t made an arrest in the case. He said the driver and witnesses gave conflicting accounts of how the accident occurred.
   “Obviously, we’re still investigating,” he said from the scene.
   The accident shook the small Rotterdam neighborhood. Several residents who gathered near the scene declined to discuss the incident and deferred comment to the deceased man’s family.
   Police kept Long Avenue cordoned off for more than an hour after the accident. Attempts to contact Dennis Kugler, who an answering service identified as the owner of the tow truck company, were unsuccessful Thursday evening.
   Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney said he had been briefed on the fatality, but didn’t foresee any arrests on Thursday evening.
   “I don’t believe the investigation is complete,” he said.  

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SCHENECTADY
Police head setting up discipline rules
City officials expect PBA to challenge commissioner’s authority
BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter

   It’s been three months since Public Safety Commissioner Wayne Bennett starting running the Schenectady Police Department, but he is just now setting up his internal disciplinary process.
   He didn’t take over discipline of the department until Thursday, a few hours after Gov. Eliot Spitzer vetoed a bill that would have required Schenectady to let arbitrators handle discipline of local police.
   Now that Spitzer has upheld the authority of local officials to discipline their own police officers, Bennett and Mayor Brian U. Stratton said the department will be vastly improved.
   “The governor’s veto of this bill will give Schenectady the tools necessary to restore discipline within the Police Department and ensure that officers who violate the public trust are dealt with fairly and appropriately,” Stratton said. “Without the ability to discipline officers, free of second-guessing by arbitrators, our ability to restore public confidence would have been forever lost.”
   The next question is whether the police union will challenge the process. Although Police Benevolent Association leaders declined to return phone calls, city officials expect the PBA to take Schenectady to court as soon as Bennett uses his authority to discipline an offi cer.
   But Bennett plans to move forward despite the possibility of court action. When officers are charged with non-criminal violations of department policy, they will defend themselves in hearings open to the public. Bennett will serve as judge in those hearings.
   “With the governor’s veto, we will implement the procedure,” Bennett said Thursday.
   He is also preparing for possible challenges from the PBA over the legality of his disciplinary process. He thinks the PBA will attack the issue of public disciplinary hearings.
   “That’s an issue that could be challenged,” Bennett said. “There could be grounds of privacy.”
   He said he waited months to officially enact his disciplinary process because he knew the state Legislature was trying to stop municipalities from levying discipline in ways that were not agreed to in police contracts.
   At issue is a series of police contracts that were written throughout the state after the Legislature passed wide-ranging union laws.
   The laws were interpreted to mean that all matters relating to employment, even discipline, had to be negotiated in police labor contracts.
   In Schenectady and many other municipalities, police cited the law and refused to accept contracts in which their department head made all disciplinary decisions.
   To end the stalemate, city lead- ers had agreed to let independent arbitrators decide whether offi - cers should be punished if they disagreed with the punishment proposed by their superiors.
   But the Court of Appeals ruled last year that city leaders should never have been forced to negotiate discipline in their police contracts. That authority cannot be taken away from the local official assigned to oversee the police, the court said.
   The Legislature has now tried three times to pass a law overturning the court’s decision by requiring municipalities to negotiate discipline in police labor contracts. The first time, Gov. George Pataki vetoed it, followed by a Spitzer veto shortly after he took offi ce.
   But Bennett hesitated to wield his authority until Spitzer vetoed the most recent version of the law.
   He said it didn’t make sense to use his authority until Spitzer made a decision on the discipline bill.
   “We were in a holding pattern,” he said. “It was just a practical matter.”
   He added that even if he had begun at once, he still wouldn’t have ended up using his authority this summer. No police have needed discipline in the weeks since Bennett decided to reorganize the disciplinary process.
   “As things worked out, it did coincide with us not having any,” Bennett said.
   The most recent officer to face discipline, Sgt. Daniel Diamond, will be punished under the arbitration system because his alleged mishandling of drug evidence occurred under that system, Bennett said.
   Diamond was suspended with pay on Feb. 14 after allegations arose involving Vice Squad Detective Jeffrey Curtis, who later pleaded guilty to stealing crack cocaine from the Police Department evidence safe. Diamond, who supervised the vice squad, was charged with mishandling evidence on July 3. At that time, he was suspended without pay.  

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To end the stalemate, city leaders had agreed to let independent arbitrators decide whether officers should be punished if they disagreed with the punishment proposed by their superiors.

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Car repossession turns deadly
Updated: 8/3/2007 10:05 PM
By: Karen Honikel
  
ROTTERDAM, N.Y. -- Rotterdam Police said it was a car repossession that ended with the owner dead. They are not yet sure how Ed Kosloski, 44, got run over by the tow truck.

Rotterdam Police Lead Investigator, Richard Dunsmore said, "During that repossession there was some kind of incident where the individual had fallen and was run over by the tow truck that was repossessing that vehicle."

The mood is somber in this Rotterdam community. Many neighbors saying Kosloski was upset his car was being towed away and tried to stop it and got too close.They can't believe what happened.

One neighbor said, "I heard a couple clunk clunks really loud and I heard a child screaming and yelling ‘God help, help, help.’ so I ran out to the back, or the front of my car, sped around the house here and saw another gentleman laying on the road, just laid out.”

Police are still trying to figure out how a Rotterdam man was run over by a tow truck that was repossessing his car.

Police and the District Attorney's office are interviewing witnesses as part of the investigation and said that many of the statements are conflicting, which makes knowing exactly what happened even more difficult.

Dunsmore said, "We have numerous witness statements. Some were in direct view of the incident. Some were not in direct view. We are still seeking other witnesses. "

The family has set up a memorial to remember Kosloski.

Lead Investigator Dunsmore said this incident is especially tragic since children witnessed it.

Dunsmore said, “It's a fatal accident. To have the children there and witness it is very tragic and unfortunate. We are treating this as a tragic incident. The investigation is on-going. "

At this time the New York State Police are inspecting the Holmes and Kugler tow truck to see if mechanical error was to blame and are saying proper legal procedures to repossess the vehicle were followed.

An autopsy is being done on Kosloski. No charges have been filed against the tow truck driver.

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Family contests account of tow- truck accident
Sheri Kosloski says her husband didn't start a confrontation before being killed by vehicle  
  
By JIMMY VIELKIND, Staff writer
First published: Monday, August 6, 2007

ROTTERDAM -- A lawyer hired by the family of a man killed by a tow truck Thursday says the deceased man did not confront the truck driver, as police said.
Edward Kosloski's wife, Sheri, and his three children -- including his 11-year-old son -- were watching as Kosloski was run over by a tow truck as it pulled away from in front of his house, said Christopher Flint, an attorney hired by the family.

  
"Any assertion that there was a confrontation initiated by Mr. Kosloski is inaccurate," he said. "The accident itself is a terrible tragedy. The family is grief-stricken. Mrs. Kosloski is pretty grief-stricken and inconsolable."

Police said Kosloski confronted the tow-truck driver, Jeff Theakos, in the street as Theakos was preparing to leave with Kosloski's Ford Excursion.

The Holmes & Kugler tow truck was at the man's house to repossess Kosloski's Ford Excursion. No charges have been filed, and police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death.

Kosloski, 44, was struck by the flatbed tow truck as it pulled away from the road in front of Kosloski's home at 23B Long Ave.

Police investigator Richard Dunsmore said the Theakos drove a quarter mile after Kosloski was hit before stopping on Hamburg Street.

The events immediately proceeding the collision remain under investigation as police are "still trying to clear up eyewitness accounts," Dunsmore said over the weekend.

Dunsmore identified the driver of the tow truck as Jeff Theakos, 36. He said the Rensselaer County man was "very cooperative, very distraught" when interviewed by police. He has not been charged in connection with the collision.

Theakos could not be reached for comment, and a dispatcher from Holmes & Kugler declined to comment on behalf of the Schenectady-based company.

Outside the Kosloski home, friends and relatives began an impromptu memorial to Kosloski, who Flint said was on disability from a work-related injury.

Flint said it was too early to say whether the family would pursue legal action, pending the police investigation.

"The family is so grief-stricken at this point that I don't know what their intentions are," he said. "It's an awful story."

Jimmy Vielkind can be reached at 454-5043 or by e-mail at jvielkind@timesunion.com.

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ROTTERDAM
Lawyer gives account in tow truck fatality
Widow denies there was confrontation
BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter
Reach Gazette reporter Justin Mason at 395-3113 or jmason@dailygazette.net

   Edward Kosloski Jr. was trying to remove a toolbox from his repossessed Ford Excursion shortly before he was fatally injured by the tow truck, according to a lawyer hired by Kosloski’s family.
   Attorney Christopher Flint said widow Sheri Kosloski disputes police reports that indicated there was a confrontation between her husband and the Holmes and Kugler driver. He said the she and their children watched in horror as he was struck by the truck driven by Jeff Theakos, who was driving away from their Long Avenue home.
   “Mrs. Kosloski and their three children were standing right in front of the house and watched Mr. Kosloski get run down by the tow truck,” he said Monday. “His 11-year-old son was by his mother at the foot of the driveway and watched his father get run over by the truck.”
   Rotterdam police said Theakos, 36, was driving away from 23B Long Ave., when Kosloski confronted him, following which, Kosloski was struck by Theakos’ truck.
   Theakos then drove about a quarter-mile to the Hamburg Street intersection with Altamont Avenue, where he was flagged by state police. Kosloski was rushed to Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, where he was p r o n o u n c e d dead.
   R o t t e r d a m police declined to release any new information about the accident Monday. There have been no arrests in the case.
   A dispatcher from Holmes and Kugler said no one from the company was available to comment Monday.
   Flint said the Kosloskis were aware the company was coming to repossess the truck on the day of the fatal accident. He said Kosloski’s wife had agreed to surrender the vehicle.
   “She had actually called and spoken with the finance company and agreed to a repossession of the car,” he said.
   Kosloski was a father of three children and a lifelong resident of the area, according to his obituary. He was employed as a tow truck driver by Bobar’s Towing Service in Schenectady and volunteered as an assistant coach for the Carman Little League.
   Flint said “The family is so grief stricken at this point, we’re not sure what their intentions are.”

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ROTTERDAM POLICE
   DEPARTMENT
   Tiffany Jendreski, 20, of Harrison Street, Schenectady, was charged July 10 with second-degree criminal impersonation.
   Lawrence Baia, 20, of Center Street, Amsterdam, was charged July 10 with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
   Ruth George, 32, of Denver Avenue, was charged July 11 with disorderly conduct and seconddegree obstruction of governmental administration.
   Paul Marco, 60, of Hamburg Street, was charged July 12 with petty larceny.
   Richard Moules, 16, of Albany Street, Schenectady, was charged July 13 with second-degree burglary.
   Leigh Reineke, 16, of Fox Hill Drive, Niskayuna, was charged July 13 with petty larceny.
   Angelika Shiland, 37, of Nicky Drive, was charged July 14 with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
   Noreen Baldwin, 46, of Mariaville Road, Schenectady, was charged July 16 with third-degree assault.
   Nicholas Bilili, 18, of Fiero Avenue, was charged July 16 with second-degree assault and second-degree robbery.
   Bobbie Civitello, 27, of Euclid Avenue, Schenectady, was charged July 16 with third-degree bail jumping, fifth-degree criminal possession of marijuana and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.
   Stephen Marra, 28, of Bertone Avenue, Schenectady, was charged July 16 with third-degree criminal mischief.
   Shameka Middleton, 24, of Phelan Court, Troy, was charged July 16 with issuing a bad check.
   James Reed, 24, of S. Ferry Street, Schenectady, was charged July 16 with second-degree burglary.
   Scott Williams, 22, of Turner Avenue, Schenectady, was charged July 16 with third-degree bail jumping.  

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ROTTERDAM
Board post goes to lawyer
Saccocio picked for Metroplex
BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter

   Rotterdam officials appointed town attorney Patrick Saccocio to the Metroplex Development Authority to replace former representative Arthur Brassard.
   Once confirmed by the county Legislature, Saccocio will finish Brassard’s term, which expires in January 2011.
   Brassard, the former chairman of Rotterdam’s Industrial Development Agency, announced his resignation from both posts in June, citing his work as county Republican election commissioner.
   “Mr. Saccocio will do an outstanding job for not only the town, but the county as a whole,” said Supervisor Steven Tommasone during the Rotterdam Town Board regular meeting Wednesday.
   Saccocio is a partner in the law firm of Parisi & Saccocio, which was hired to represent Rotterdam in 2005. Saccocio represents the Town Board, while Gerard Parisi represents the Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals.
   The attorney also represented groups owning a $1.5 million stake in the commercial office project called Broadway Commerce Park, a development lauded as one of the largest single investments in downtown Schenectady. Saccocio’s law firm helped construct a 22,500-square-foot building in the complex.
   Saccocio said he looks forward to representing both the town and county interests on the Metroplex board. “I am aware of their [Metroplex] mission and in accord with their ideas,” he said.
   Saccocio was approved by the Town Board with member Robert Godlewski offering the only dissent. Goldlewski said the position has traditionally gone to a member of the town Planning Commission.
   Godlewski also questioned whether Saccocio’s work as both a town and private attorney would pose a conflict of interest while serving as Rotterdam’s representative to Metroplex.
   “He is the town attorney and I feel this could become a conflict of interest in what he’s doing for Metroplex and what he’s doing for the town,” he said. “I can see him having to recuse himself on issues.”
   Board member John Mertz disagreed. He said Saccocio’s experience as an attorney and with the authority projects would be an asset.
   “Mr. Saccocio has an intimate knowledge of the innerworkings of Metroplex,” he said. “An attorney appointed to Metroplex I think is an asset for the town.”
   Tommasone said he discussed the position with Angelo Santabarbara, Brassard’s replacement as IDA chairman, who wasn’t interested in assuming both positions. He said Santabarbara instead wants to concentrate on IDA initiatives.
“We have a lot going on with IDA right now,” he said,

OFFICER RESIGNS
   Board members also accepted the resignation of police officer Joseph Signore Jr., the son of board member Joseph Signore, who was hired about a year earlier by the town. Signore recently accepted a position with the state police.
   “It’s unfortunate for us in many ways,” Tommasone commented. “He did a great job.”
   Board members unanimously approved the hiring of Michael Alderdice and Benjamin Paniccia as officers, at salaries of $38,653. Both officers are graduates of the Mohonasen Central School District and residents of the town.
   Alderdice is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, served as a volunteer firefighter in Rotterdam and was working as a dispatcher for the police before his hiring. Paniccia is a recent graduate of The College of Saint Rose.  

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Signore recently accepted a position with the state police.

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ROTTERDAM
   POLICE DEPARTMENT
   Blake Sowards, 17, of Princetown Road, Schenectady, was charged July 17 with petty larceny.
   Erik Schissler, 23, of W. Campbell Road, was charged July 19 with fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property and second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument.
   Joseph Bonitatibus, 18, of Sixth Street, Schenectady, was charged July 20 with second-degree harassment.
   Lyintus Alexis, 27, of Lincoln Avenue, Schenectady, was charged July 22 with petty larceny and unlawful possession of marijuana.
   Frank Corradi, 43, of Empire Avenue, Schenectady, was charged July 23 with second-degree harassment.
   Nicholas Fraumane, 21, of Ridge Road, Broadalbin, was charged July 23 with second-degree reckless endangerment.
   Tyrone Tutt, 20, of Emmett Street, Schenectady, was charged July 23 with second-degree harassment, petty larceny and thirddegree bail jumping.
   Dawn Dilella, 57, of Riverside Drive, Scotia, was charged July 25 with petty larceny.
   Darek Labutta, 27, of Harold Street, Schenectady, was charged July 25 with driving while intoxicated and resisting arrest.
   Kirsten Thompson, 22, of Maida Lane, was charged July 25 with obstruction of governmental administration.
   Eric Streifert, 49, of Vernon Drive, Duanesburg, was charged July 25 with driving with ability impaired by drugs, driving while intoxicated, a felony, leaving the scene of a property damage automobile accident and unlawful possession of marijuana.
   Craig Albert, 22, of Long Avenue, Schenectady, was charged July 26 with first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and aggravated driving while intoxicated.
   Joseph Karwan, 20, of Stuart Street, Schenectady, was charged July 26 with disorderly conduct.
   Stacy Parish, 31, of Barber Drive, was charged July 26 with thirddegree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
   Shantay Hargraves, 26, of N. College Street, Schenectady, was charged July 27 with fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of marijuana.
   William Saangelo, 31, of Broadway, Schenectady, was charged July 27 with petty larceny.
   Gregory Haggerty, 18, of Curry Road, Schenectady, was charged July 28 with fourth-degree grand larceny.
   Richard Jackson, 17, of Frances Avenue, Schenectady, was charged July 28 with two counts of petty larceny and unlawful possession of marijuana.
   Shawn Cuervo, 20, of N. Westcott Road, Schenectady, was charged July 29 with third-degree assault.
   Randall Britten, 44, of Avenue B, Schenectady, was charged July 29 with petty larceny.
   Francis Auleta, 16, of Broadway, was charged July 29 with seconddegree burglary.
   Brandon D’Annunzio, 36, of Amsterdam Avenue, was charged July 30 with second-degree harassment.
   Ashley Dawson, 20, of South Avenue, Schenectady, was charged July 30 with theft of services.

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Rotterdam awarded security money by Paul Nelson, Staff writer
Hundreds of thousands of money courtesy of the Department of Homeland Security will help Rotterdam officials be better ready for a major disaster or terrorist incident in and around their town.

Officials say they plan to use the $189,000 to improve the town’s communication system, replace portable radios, install digital video cameras in patrol cars and buy surveillance equipment for police.

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install digital video cameras in patrol cars and buy surveillance equipment for police.

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ROTTERDAM POLICE
   DEPARTMENT
   Heather Murphy, 31, of E. Campbell Road, Schenectady, was charged August 1 with petty larceny.
   Ryan Kaufmann, 23, of Canal Street, Rotterdam Junction, was charged August 1 with fourth-degree criminal mischief and resisting arrest.
   Donald Burroughs, 47, of Swan Street, Schenectady, was charged August 2 with petty larceny and third-degree bail jumping.
   Sheryce Stewart, 31, of Curry Road, Schenectady, was charged August 2 with petty larceny.
   Alexander Clarkson, 26, of S. Judson Street, Gloversville, was charged August 2 with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
   Jennifer Mossey, 33, of Mineral Springs Road, Cobleskill, was charged August 3 with first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and driving while intoxicated.
   Keith Williams, 44, of Hamburg Street, was charged August 3 with third-degree assault and fourth-degree criminal mischief.
   Sarah Bridge, 35, of Hamburg Street, was charged August 3 with second-degree harassment.
   Kory Karp, 37, of Ford Avenue, Schenectady, was charged August 4 with second-degree criminal contempt and second-degree harassment.
   Charles Lester, 45, of Albany Street, Schenectady, was charged August 4 with fourth-degree criminal mischief.
   Patricia Coons, 69, of Cassella Road, was charged August 6 with having a dog a large.
   Mark Brown, 45, of Dahlia Street, was charged August 6 with endangering the welfare of a child and second-degree sexual abuse.
   Bryon Faulkner, 45, of Old Fort Avenue, was charged August 6 with second-degree harassment.
   Gregory Haggerty, 18, of Curry Road, Schenectady, was charged August 6 with fourth-degree criminal mischief and fourth-degree grand larceny.
   David Torres, 29, of Gibson Street, Schenectady, was charged August 6 with petty larceny.
   Tammy Zimmerman, 38, of Woodbridge Avenue, was charged August 6 with issuing a bad check.
   Graeham Jakisshun, 22, of Elm Street, Schenectady, was charged August 7 with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
   Adel Laguardia, 26, of Mariaville Road, was charged August 8 with driving with ability impaired by drugs.
   Monique West, 22, of McClellan Street, Schenectady, was charged August 8 with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
   Michelle Lamm, 43, of Curry Road, was charged August 9 with two counts of petty larceny, thirddegree bail jumping and second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument.
   Jessica Fiano, 18, of Day Road, was charged August 9 with unlawful dealing with fireworks.
   Larry Sandgren, 36, of Giffords Church Road, was charged August 9 with second-degree criminal contempt.
   Jessica Palazeke, 17, of East Street, Niskayuna, was charged August 9 with petty larceny.
   Brenda Graham, 48, of Duanesburg Road, Delanson, was charged August 10 with petty larceny.
   Colleen McDonald, 36, of Trevar Street, Glens Falls, was charged August 11 with aggravated driving while intoxicated.
   Miriam Rodriguez, 54, of Stanley Street, Schenectady, was charged August 13 with petty larceny.
   Jason Connell, 16, of Summer Street, Schenectady, was charged August 13 with petty larceny.
   Al-quasia Dale, 20, of Frank Street, Schenectady, was charged August 13 with second-degree harassment.
   Douglas Harrell, 28, of Wellington Avenue, Schenectady, was charged August 13 with third-degree bail jumping.  

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Rotterdam cops receive $189K grant

   ROTTERDAM — Rotterdam police received a $189,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security this month to fund a number of equipment purchases, including onboard cameras for all the department’s cruisers.
   The funding will also be used to enhance the department’s communication system, replace portable radios, and purchase a multitude of surveillance equipment, according to a news release issued by the town Thursday.
   Exact details about the grant were not available through either the Rotterdam police or homeland security.
   Funding for this grant is provided by the federal Buffer Zone Protection Program, which aids the development of security measures near high priority and critical infrastructure targets.
   Grant money can also be used for local preparedness efforts.  

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ROTTERDAM POLICE DEPARTMENT
Kristen Shaw, 28, of Washington Avenue, Albany, was charged August 13 with second-degree harassment. Thomas VanBuren, 52, of Albany Street, Schenectady, was charged August 13 with third-degree burglary and third-degree criminal mischief.

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Rotterdam crash investigated  
  
By JIMMY VIELKIND, Staff writer
Thursday, August 23, 2007

ROTTERDAM - Police are investigating a roll-over accident that occurred late Wednesday on Helderberg Avenue.
  
According to Lt. Mike Brown, officers were interviewing the driver of the vehicle regarding the 10:05 p.m. incident. A passenger in the vehicle was taken to Albany Medical Center Hospital by helicopter, but conditions were not immediately available.

Brown said the department would release more details today.

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ROTTERDAM — A Schenectady man was arrested late Wednesday, accused of flipping his car while drunk, authorities said.
   Derek Legere, 21, of 1008 Bruce Lane, was charged with driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor.
   Legere was arrested after he allegedly rolled his car on Helderberg Avenue just after 10 p.m.
   One passenger, who was not identified, was airlifted to Albany Medical Center for treatment, police said. Legere was apparently uninjured.
   Police cited alcohol and excessive speed as factors in the crash.  

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SCHENECTADY
Burglary suspect on lam collared in N.Y. City
Woman one of four originally charged in Rotterdam
BY STEVEN COOK Gazette Reporter
Reach Gazette reporter Steven Cook at 395-3122 or scook@dailygazette.net

   For a $100,000 bond, Maria Miller bought herself a total of 29 months on the run.
   An accused member of a traveling burglary team that hit a Rotterdam residence in 2004, Miller has been rearrested, authorities confirmed Thursday, taken back into custody more than two years after skipping town.
   Miller was one of three defendants who posted a total of $220,000 in bail money to gain their release pending trials.
   All three ended up fleeing, forfeiting the cash and bonds. It was the largest bail forfeiture in recent county history.
   She was returned to Schenectady County Wednesday, appearing in County Court Thursday. She was to be arraigned on the warrant for her arrest, but the proceedings were put off until next month.
   Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney confirmed the capture. However, he had few other details. Rotterdam Police, who investigated the case, also could provide little about how she was recaptured.
   Officials could only offer that she was arrested recently in New York City.
   But, officials said, she’s back in Schenectady County at the county jail. This time, she’s held without bail.
   Miller, 40, also known as Patricia Orosky, was one of four arrested in a Veteran’s Day 2004 break in at an elderly man’s home on Van Dyke Avenue at around 1:30 p.m. that day.
   The man was sleeping, but awoke to a noise and ordered the women out before they could take anything. They said they were leaving a note for a neighbor.
   The group was spotted three hours later less than a mile from the scene and arrested.
   Local officials quickly realized who they had: alleged members of a larger burglary ring that hit towns and moved on. Group members often got slaps on the wrist or skipped out on small bails.
   Schenectady County officials were determined that not happen in this case, asking for and receiving large bail amounts that would either keep them here or make it hurt if they left.
   All four were about to stand trial in County Court on one count each of second-degree burglary, a felony that can bring up to 15 years in state prison if convicted.
   But that’s when the three who had made bail fl ed.
   Still on the lam are Jan Stojka, 48, and Olga Liliako, who is in her 50s.
   The fourth, Helena Kopacz, 33, could not make the $100,000 bail set in her case. She ultimately pleaded guilty to an attempted burglary count. She was sentenced to three years in state prison and was released in May, state records show.
   The plea also included a provision to cooperate against the other defendants. However, it was unclear if that would happen now.
   Both Liliako and Miller posted $100,000 bonds through a downstate bondsman. Stojka posted $20,000 cash.
   Liliako was freed Dec. 6, 2004, and made several appearances before failing to show for trial. Miller was released March 9, 2005 and Stojka in April 2005.
   Miller’s family and friends guaranteed the bonds after putting up $35,000 in cash and signing a promissory note. Liliako’s husband and friends likewise guaranteed her bond after posting $35,000 in cash and signing a promissory note.
   The forfeited money was to be absorbed into the county budget.  

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Fire extinguishers
taken from buses
   ROTTERDAM — Someone stole 12 fire extinguishers from the Mohonasen Central School District buses, Rotterdam police said.
   Officers found some of the extinguishers in neighborhoods near the bus garage. None of the buses were damaged, but the extinguishers had been completely discharged, they said.
   Police are investigating and ask anyone with information about the thefts to call 355-7331.

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Police warning Rotterdam residents about catalytic converter theft
Updated: 9/7/2007
By: Web Staff

ROTTERDAM, N.Y. -- Police in Rotterdam are warning people about a rash of recent thefts.

They say someone is stealing catalytic converters from people’s cars. Police say it is happening during the evening hours.

If you have any information you are asked to call the Rotterdam Police.

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Rotterdam man faces rape charge
ROTTERDAM — Police have arrested a man they say raped a 12-year-old girl last year.
   On Friday, they charged Rotterdam resident William M. Pokeda, 29, of 300 Wayto Rd., with rape, a felony, and one count of committing a criminal sexual act, also a felony. Investigators said they expect to add more charges soon.
   Podeka was arraigned and sent to the Schenectady County Jail without bail. If convicted, he faces five to 25 years in prison.

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Rotterdam police
report incident
   ROTTERDAM — Town police arrested a Schenectady man Friday who is allegedly wanted for felony assault with a deadly weapon in Florida.
   Demar S. Reinfurt, 27, of 1108 Barrett St., was arrested at the Renta-Center on Altamont Avenue, and charged as a fugitive from justice. He is in Schenectady County jail awaiting extradition to Florida, police said.

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Rotterdam police
report incident
   ROTTERDAM — Town police arrested a Schenectady man Friday who is allegedly wanted for felony assault with a deadly weapon in Florida.
   Demar S. Reinfurt, 27, of 1108 Barrett St., was arrested at the Renta-Center on Altamont Avenue, and charged as a fugitive from justice. He is in Schenectady County jail awaiting extradition to Florida, police said.

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Rotterdam woman attacked with bleach, robbed  
  
By LAUREN STANFORTH, Staff writer
Last updated: 3:48 p.m., Sunday, September 9, 2007

ROTTERDAM -- Two Schenectady women have been accused of brutally beating an 88-year-old woman, including throwing bleach in her eyes, after following her home from a town shopping plaza to rob her, town police said today.
  
Police said the women identified as Tiffany Tolliver, 21, of Albany Street, and Dominique Lucas, 21, of Maple Avenue, followed the victim to her Rotterdam apartment, leaving Tolliver's 2-week-old child in their car.

Tolliver and Lucas then allegedly went inside, beat the woman, stole her purse and threw the bleach in her eyes. A neighbor saw them leaving in a white Cadillac, which police found later at the Hannaford Plaza off Altamont Avenue in Schenectady. Tolliver and Lucas allegedly had already bought $450 in clothes from the A.J. Wright.

The women were accused of spying the Rotterdam woman while she shopped at the Ocean State Job Lot at the Crosstown Plaza off Route 7 in Rotterdam. Police said the women picked the older victim because she seemed an easy target.

The victim, whose identity was not released by police, suffered multiple injuries and was taken to Ellis Hospital. She has since been released.

Tolliver and Lucas have been charged with first-degree robbery and are being held in Schenectady County Jail without bail. Besides the 2-week-old found in the Cadillac, police later found Tolliver's 17-month-old toddler alone at her apartment. Both children were taken into the state's protective custody. Also, Lucas is eight months pregnant, according to police.

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Elderly woman beaten, robbed
Two 21-year-old women arrested
BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter

   Rotterdam police said a young mother and a pregnant woman from Schenectady threw bleach in the eyes of an 88-year-old woman while they savagely beat and robbed her Saturday in the parking lot of her Fort Hunter Road apartment complex.
   Dominique Lucas, 21, of 967 Maple Ave., and Tiffany Tolliver, 21, of 215 Albany St., were both charged with felony first-degree robbery Saturday evening. Further charges are expected to be levied against the women in what authorities are calling one of the most heinous crimes perpetrated in the town over the past decade.
   “In my 14 years here, this is one of the most brutal crimes that has happened to one of our residents,” said Sgt. Robert Denny of the attack. “It just turns my stomach.”
   Investigators said Lucas and Tolliver watched the woman while she shopped at the Ocean State Job Lot in Crosstown Plaza, and then tracked her back to Victoria Apartments about four miles away, where they jumped her from behind. The two women numerous times in the face and threw a cup of bleach in her eyes before making off with her purse in a white Cadillac, police said. Tolliver’s 2-week-old child was in the car while the assault was taking place, police said.
   “They picked her out randomly,” Denny said.
Police found the Cadillac parked Hannaford Plaza, where Lucas and Tolliver had been shopping at .J. Wright, using the elderly wom-450 worth of clothes.
   Denny said Tolliver was seen leaving the store carrying her infant child under one arm and purchases from the store under the other. While interviewing the women, investigators noticed fresh blood on their clothes,
   Authorities said Tolliver had left her other child, 17 months old, home alone; both of her children were referred to county Child Protective Services. Police said Lucas was eight-months pregnant at the time of the assault.
   The elderly woman, whom police declined to identify, suffered multiple cuts and bruises to her face and torso. She was taken to Ellis Hospital, where she was treated for her injuries and released early Sunday morning.
   “She lost a lot of blood,” Denny said.
   One of the woman’s neighbors, who asked to remain anonymous, said she discovered the elderly woman after the fleeing suspects apparently crashed into a stone retaining wall at the apartment complex. When she heard the crash, she said, she looked out her window and saw the senior citizen crumpled on the ground.
   “I came out and there was [the woman] laying in the parking lot, just bleeding everywhere,” she recounted. “She was just worried about her groceries and her keys.”
   Neighbors said the area of the attack was covered with so much blood that volunteer firefighters later had to hose down the parking lot. Others were amazed the woman recovered enough from her injuries to return home.
   Both Tolliver and Lucas have been charged with crimes in Schenectady, according to police and reports. Denny said Tolliver had a warrant for her arrest stemming from a May robbery in the city; Schenectady police had no information on the case Sunday.
   Lucas was arrested in April and charged with felony counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and third-degree criminal possession of stolen property. She was arrested on similar charges in March 2006, when she was pulled over by police in a vehicle reported stolen out of Saratoga County, and which had six small envelopes containing heroin.
   Both women were arraigned in Town Court Saturday and were ordered held without bail. County District Attorney Robert Carney was guarded in his reaction to the case, which is expected to be reviewed by a grand jury shortly with additional charges anticipated.
   “It’s a horrible, horrible crime,” he said, “We will spare no effort to bring them to justice.”

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See, the problem with this that the Schenectady County Metroplex hasn't got around to these people's neighborhoods to clean up the street like it has down on State Street between Nott and Erie.  These ladies live outside that area.  Just a couple of 21 y.o. baby factories that need to be shut down.

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The one girl, the Lucas one I think, it was reported had 5 prior arrests, I think they said drugs, car theft, and other stuff.  

Quoted from mikechristine1

I was just watching Channel 6's coverage.  The one girl, the Lucas one I think, it was reported had 5 prior arrests, I think they said drugs, car theft, and other stuff.   She's only 21.  That is quite a history for a relatively new adult.

The question I have is why was she not in jail or prison.  Did she get all those other arrests thrown out?  God help us if she gets a lawyer like that Kindlon to weasel her way out, he would love the publicity enough to do it pro-bono.

Quoted from Rene

I would hate to even guess......I 1/2 way take back my remark about the Mohawk.  She is 8 months pregnant and the baby sure doesn't deserve that.
I'd like to know what the hell they were doing in a Cadillac.  

Quoted Text

ROTTERDAM
Elderly express shock about attack Residents considering extra precautions
BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter

   Like many of Rotterdam’s elderly citizens, Amelia Lake was shocked to hear of a vicious attack on a woman her age.
   The 88-year-old Lake could hardly fathom a woman her age falling victim to a brutal robbery such as the one outside the Victoria Court Apartments off Fort Hunter Road Saturday evening. In fact, she couldn’t recall any similar crime in her more than 50 years of living in town.
   “We’ve always had a wonderful town,” she said at the Rotterdam Senior Center Monday afternoon. “We’ve never had anything like this.”
   Many of the older residents expressed disbelief at the attack, which left an 88-year-old woman bloody and battered in the building’s parking lot, just steps away from her front door. The Monday afternoon bingo game at the senior center was abuzz with discussion about the attack and what could have been done to avoid it.
   Schenectady residents Dominique Lucas and Tiffany Tolliver, both 21, are accused of watching the woman as she shopped at the Crosstown Plaza, and then followiong her and assaulting her from behind when she returned to her apartment building 4 miles away. Police said the women also threw bleach in the woman’s face before fleeing with her purse.
   “I got scared,” remarked Ann Farone, 98, who has lived in town since 1929. “I was thinking ‘Oh, my God. I’m shopping in that mall all the time.’ ”
   Seniors are now considering extra precautions. Some said the incident convinced them they should travel in pairs, while others said they plan to start carrying their money and credit cards in smaller, less visible wallets or purses. Some said they will simply trust people less.
   “Right now, we’re going to suspect anybody,” Lake said. “This could happen to anybody.”
   Rotterdam police Lt. Michael Brown said the department’s community service unit was scheduled in advance to meet with the elderly at the senior center at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday to talk about safety. In the wake of Saturday’s attack, he anticipates self-defense being a primary topic — “what they can do to avoid being a victim in cases like this.”
   The incident also caught the attention of state legislators on Monday. Sen. Hugh T. Farley, RNiskayuna, called on the state Assembly to pass “Granny’s Law,” a piece of legislation proposed in March that would classify an assault on an elderly person as a violent felony punishable by up to seven years in prison.
   “Whether it’s upgrading an assault charge from a misdemeanor to a violent felony, or it’s adding an additional violent felony count to felony robbery charges, this legislation would give prosecutors a helpful tool in their arsenal against criminals,” he said in a prepared statement.
   Meanwhile, Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney said the investigation into the case continues and more charges are anticipated. He is expected to present the case to a grand jury this week.
   “We’ll have action on it quickly,” he said.
   Officials from Schenectady City Court said Lucas, who is eight months pregnant, had a warrant pending for her arrest stemming from a criminal mischief charge over the summer. Tolliver, the mother of two young children, had a bench warrant issued in August, stemming from a felony third-degree robbery case in May, city police confirmed. Both were ordered held in the
Schenectady County Jail.  

Quoted Text

The incident also caught the attention of state legislators on Monday. Sen. Hugh T. Farley, RNiskayuna, called on the state Assembly to pass “Gran