Scammers Claim Relatives Are in Trouble Over Phone Calls In Dutchess, Police Say Scammers Claim Relatives Are in Trouble Over Phone Calls In Dutchess, Police Say
Scammers Claim Relatives Are in Trouble Over Phone Calls In Dutchess, Police Say Authorities in Dutchess County are urging residents to stay vigilant as scammers increasingly target unsuspecting victims and claim their loved ones are in trouble.  The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office issued a public warning on Wednesday, Feb. 5 about an increasing number of phone scams, many of which prey on emotions by falsely claiming a loved one has been hurt or arrested. Scammers often impersonate law enforcement officials or relatives, pressuring victims into sending money immediately.  One of the latest scams reported involves fraudsters calling victims and claiming that …
Man Killed Couple, Dog Before Setting Wappinger Fire, Police Say: Victims' IDs Released Man Killed Couple, Dog Before Setting Wappinger Fire, Police Say: Victims' IDs Released
Man Killed Couple, Dog Before Setting Wappinger Fire, Police Say: Victims' IDs Released Authorities have identified the victims of a deadly Dutchess County house fire and filed upgraded charges against the man accused of setting the blaze, police said.  Paul and Jo-Ann Hait, ages 63 and 65, were killed in the fire that tore through their home at 78 Marlorville Rd. in Wappinger on Sunday, Jan. 26, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office announced on Friday, Jan. 31.  Following further investigation, officials now allege that Robert J. Buda, age 34, murdered the couple and their dog before setting their home on fire. The victims were known to Buda, but authorities have no…
Poughkeepsie Ringleader, Gun Maker From Dutchess Get Years In Jail In Drug, Firearm Bust Poughkeepsie Ringleader, Gun Maker From Dutchess Get Years In Jail In Drug, Firearm Bust
Poughkeepsie Ringleader, Gun Maker From Dutchess Get Years In Jail In Drug, Firearm Bust A Poughkeepsie man who ran a major drug and firearms trafficking operation in Dutchess County will serve more than a decade behind bars, while his top weapons supplier—who built ghost guns in his home—was sentenced to even more time, authorities announced.  New York Attorney General Letitia James revealed on Wednesday, Jan. 29, that Muayad Qader, 35, of Poughkeepsie, was sentenced to 14 years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple felonies for his role in a sprawling narcotics and illegal firearms network. His main supplier, Jason Knapp, a Dutchess County resident who built untrace…
Blaze Tears Through Pawling Home, Now Under Investigation Blaze Tears Through Pawling Home, Now Under Investigation
Blaze Tears Through Pawling Home, Now Under Investigation Firefighters from multiple departments worked through the night to battle a massive house fire in Dutchess County.  The blaze broke out at a residence at 21 Old Farm Rd. in Pawling on Tuesday, Jan. 28, around 7:40 p.m., according to Pawling Fire Marshal Everett White. Arriving crews found flames ripping through the roof and a heavy fire load inside the home. Firefighters quickly called in reinforcements, with tankers responding from Putnam Lake, Patterson, and Beekman, along with an engine from Dover. Firefighters worked tirelessly to knock down the flames. Due to the extensive damage…
Burglary Of Mobil Station Leads To Arrest Of 3 Poughkeepsie Men Burglary Of Mobil Station Leads To Arrest Of 3 Poughkeepsie Men
Burglary Of Mobil Station Leads To Arrest Of 3 Poughkeepsie Men The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of three Poughkeepsie men concerning a burglary at a Mobil station. The incident occurred around 4:45 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 16, on Route 55 in LaGrange. According to Capt. John Watterson of the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office, deputies encountered three suspicious men near the Mobil station.  Shortly after, it was discovered that a burglary had just occurred at the location. Following an investigation, Watterson said, the three were taken into custody.  The suspects, identified as Shawn Grey, 49, Ryan E. Matthews, 38,…
Fatal Crash In Pawling Claims Life Of Local Woman; Alcohol Suspected, Police Say Fatal Crash In Pawling Claims Life Of Local Woman; Alcohol Suspected, Police Say
Fatal Crash In Pawling Claims Life Of Local Woman; Alcohol Suspected, Police Say A two-car crash in Dutchess County has claimed the life of a local woman, police reported. The incident occurred at 7:05 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 13, near the intersection of Old Quaker Hill Road and Meeting House Road in Pawling. According to Capt. John Watterson of the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office, upon arrival, deputies discovered Lisa M. Gutierrez, age 52, of Pawling, suffering from life-threatening injuries.  Gutierrez was transported to Danbury Hospital, where she later died on Tuesday, January 14, Watterson said. The driver of the second vehicle, a Ford pickup truck, was uninj…
Massive Drug Trafficking Network Dismantled In Poughkeepsie, 7 Arrested Massive Drug Trafficking Network Dismantled In Poughkeepsie, 7 Arrested
Massive Drug Trafficking Network Dismantled In Poughkeepsie, 7 Arrested A major drug trafficking network responsible for distributing cocaine and counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl throughout the Hudson Valley has been dismantled, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced. Seven individuals, including network leaders, were busted Friday, Jan. 10, following a yearlong investigation led by the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force and the New York State Police Special Investigations Unit.  Authorities seized over 10,500 fentanyl-laced pills worth $75,000, more than eight kilograms of cocaine valued at $200,000, three firearms, in…
Armed 5-Hour Standoff Ends With Arrest Of Dover Plains Man: Police Armed 5-Hour Standoff Ends With Arrest Of Dover Plains Man: Police
Armed 5-Hour Standoff Ends With Arrest Of Dover Plains Man: Police A five-hour standoff in Dutchess County ended with the arrest of a 36-year-old man wanted on a warrant for reckless endangerment, police said. Capt. John Watterson of the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office said Richard P. Danko, age 36, of Dover Plains, was charged following a complaint and an hours-long standoff at his residence on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1 in Dover Plains. According to Watterson, deputies responded to 16 Old State Route 22 at around 6:10 a.m. after receiving a report of a person being threatened with a shotgun. When they arrived, Danko was identified as a suspect but refused t…
Skater Hospitalized With Hypothermia After Falling Through Ice On Lake Dutchess: NYSP Skater Hospitalized With Hypothermia After Falling Through Ice On Lake Dutchess: NYSP
Skater Hospitalized With Hypothermia After Falling Through Ice On Lake Dutchess: Nysp A team of New York State Police Troopers and local first responders saved a man from freezing waters after he fell through the ice while skating on a lake in Dutchess County, NY on Monday, Dec. 23. Troopers from multiple stations responded to 19 Dutchess Dr. in Pawling alongside the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) after reports of a man stranded in icy water several hundred feet from shore. The man was ice skating when the ice gave way, plunging him into the frigid lake. When authorities arrived, the man’s arms and upper torso were visible above the ice, struggling to stay afloat. …
21-Year-Old Man Charged With Rape Of Dutchess County Minor, Police Say 21-Year-Old Man Charged With Rape Of Dutchess County Minor, Police Say
21-Year-Old Man Charged With Rape Of Dutchess County Minor, Police Say A 21-year-old Copake man has been charged with felony rape following an investigation into alleged sexual activity involving a minor, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office announced. Capt. John Watterson said William J. Mair, age 21, of Copake, was arrested on Friday, Dec. 20, in connection with an investigation into sexual contact with a person under the age of 17. Sheriff’s Office Detectives conducted the investigation, which led to Mair’s arrest.  Watterson said that no further details about the case will be released to protect the victim's privacy.  Officials emphasized that …
67-Year-Old Pedestrian Killed In Wappinger Crash On Route 376 67-Year-Old Pedestrian Killed In Wappinger Crash On Route 376
67-Year-Old Pedestrian Killed In Wappinger Crash On Route 376 A 67-year-old man has died after being struck by a vehicle while crossing Route 376 in the Town of Wappinger, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office announced. Capt. John Watterson of the Sheriff's Office said it is investigating the fatal car-pedestrian crash that occurred on Thursday, Dec. 21, around 5:30 p.m. on Route 376 near Hackensack Heights Road in Wappinger. Deputies responded to reports of a collision and found that the pedestrian, a 67-year-old man, had sustained life-threatening injuries, Watterson said. He was transported to Vassar Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. T…
Poughkeepsie Man Armed With Fake Gun Shot By Police Faces Felony Charges: Cops Poughkeepsie Man Armed With Fake Gun Shot By Police Faces Felony Charges: Cops
Poughkeepsie Man Armed With Fake Gun Shot By Police Faces Felony Charges: Cops A masked man armed with what appeared to be a handgun was shot by City of Poughkeepsie police after pointing the weapon at them during a confrontation, police report. The incident occurred, occurred around 10:15 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 22, when officers responded to a 911 call reporting a masked man with a gun outside an apartment at Fallkill Commons, located at 17 Rose St. According to Det. Lt. Sean McCarthy, the caller, later identified as Kevin Fitzpatrick, age 41, of Poughkeepsie, matched the description of the armed individual.  Upon arrival, officers confronted Fitzpatrick, who point…