State Police in Troop G make notable DWI arrests 2/20 – 2/25

On February 20, 2025, at about 10:40 p.m., State Police of Greenwich stopped a vehicle on Pearl Street in Cambridge, NY, for a Vehicle and Traffic Law violation. The driver was identified as Zachary Rowland, 24, of Cambridge, NY. Rowland was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated and other Vehicle and Traffic Law violations. He was transported to SP Greenwich for processing, where he recorded a 0.27% BAC. Rowland was issued tickets returnable to the Cambridge Town Court on March 24, 2025, and released.

On February 23, 2025, at about 1:03 a.m. State Police of Granville stopped a vehicle on State Route 4 in Fort Ann, NY, for a Vehicle and Traffic Law violation.  The driver was identified as John R. Crossman, 35, of South Glens Falls, NY. Crossman was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated and other Vehicle and Traffic Law violations.  He was transported to SP Queensbury for processing, where he recorded a 0.23% BAC.  Crossman was issued tickets returnable to the Fort Ann Town Court on March 26, 2025, and released to a sober party.

On February 24, 2025, at about 6:02 p.m., State Police of Saratoga responded to the reports of a two-car crash at the intersection of Saratoga Road and McCrea Road in Ballston, NY. One of the drivers was identified as Bobby-Jo A. Bachand, 47, of Ballston Spa, NY. Bachand was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated and transported to SP Saratoga for processing, where she recorded a 0.19% BAC. Bachand was issued tickets returnable to the Ballston Town Court on March 13, 2025, and released.  The driver of the other vehicle was transported to an area hospital for minor injuries.  

State Police Seize $400K, Guns, and Drugs in Oneida County

On January 15, 2025, the New York State Police Troop D Violent Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team, alongside the Special Operations Response Team, Canine Unit, and uniformed officers, executed a search warrant at 8422 Meadows Road in Annsville, Oneida County. 

As a result of the operation, State Police seized 12 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, a quantity of cocaine, eight long guns, over $400,000 in U.S. currency, as well as drug packaging materials and scales.

Following an extensive investigation, on February 27, 2025, members of the New York State Police Troop D Violent Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team, U.S. Marshals (NYNJRFTF), Oneida County Sheriffs Office, Utica Police Department, and Oneida County Probation located and apprehended the primary suspect, Ted A. Croniser, 53, from Taberg, NY. Croniser was taken into custody at a residence on Glenridge Drive in Annsville.

During the arrest, Jessica L. Centro, 38, from Taberg, NY, attempted to conceal Croniser and obstruct the apprehension. As a result, she was also taken into custody.

Charges:

Ted A. Croniser: Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 2nd Degree (Class A-II Felony)

Jessica L. Centro: Hindering Prosecution 1st Degree (Class D Felony) and Obstruction of Governmental Administration (Class A Misdemeanor)

Both individuals are currently being held at the Oneida County Jail pending centralized arraignment. 

Additional charges are anticipated as the investigation continues.

State Police investigating a fatal accident in the village of Harriman

On February 28, 2025, at approximately 4:02 a.m., State Police were called to State Route 17 in the village of Harriman for a report of a two-vehicle fatal accident involving a box truck.

When Troopers arrived a box truck and a black Honda were observed on the west shoulder of roadway.

An investigation determined that the box truck, driven by Mohammed Abdulla, 23, of Richmond, Virginia, was traveling northbound on Route 17 when he entered the southbound lanes, striking a Honda, driven by Edwin A. Ottenwalder Nunez, 37, of Middletown, causing a head on collision.

Ottenwalder Nunez died at the scene.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone who may have witnessed the accident is asked to call SP Monroe BCI at 845-344-5300.

State Police arrest Clifton Park man for Child Pornography possession

On February 26, 2025, State Police of Clifton Park, with the assistance of the Troop G Computer Crimes Unit, the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, arrested Rhett W. Thornton, 36, of Clifton Park, NY, for Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child, a class “D” felony, and Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child, a class “E” felony.

Thornton is accused of promoting and possessing images consistent with child sexual exploitation. His arrest followed an investigation and the execution of a search warrant at his Clifton Park, NY, residence on February 26, 2025. The investigation stemmed from a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).

Thornton was arrested at his home and transported to SP Clifton Park for processing. He was then arraigned at the Clifton Park Town Court, where he was remanded to the Saratoga County Correctional Facility in lieu of $5,000 cash, $10,000 bond, or a $50,000 partially secured bond.

Syracuse Man Faces Additional Charges for 2022 Child Sex Abuse Case

On February 27, 2025, Jason A. Bissell, age 38, from Syracuse, NY, was arrested for:

• Sexual Abuse in the 1st Degree (class “D” felony)
• Endangering the Welfare of a Child (class “A” misdemeanor) 

These charges were in connection with a June 2022 incident involving a 7-year-old victim at a residence in the Town of Geddes, Onondaga County.

At the time of his arrest, Bissell was already incarcerated at the Onondaga County Justice Center on previous charges. He was arraigned on the new charges the same day in Onondaga County CAP Court.

If anyone has any information regarding this incident or any other incidents involving Jason A. Bissell, they are asked to contact Investigator Peter Lazarek at SP Lafayette (315) 677-5302.

Teen Suspect in Custody Following Onondaga County Shooting Incident

On February 28, 2025, at approximately 6:41 p.m., New York State Police LaFayette responded to reports of a shooting in the Town of Onondaga involving a teenage driver.

A preliminary investigation determined that a Ford Fusion carrying three passengers was traveling on Roswell Ave when they encountered a Subaru Crosstrek driven by a 17-year-old male, who was accompanied by his girlfriend.

Due to prior disputes, the driver of the Ford Fusion recognized the occupants in the Subaru Crosstrek, who reportedly began honking at them while they were stopped at the intersection of West Roswell Ave and Midland Ave.

After a back seat passenger was dropped off in the Ford Fusion, the remaining two occupants continued down Orchard Ave, where they observed the Subaru Crosstrek backed into a driveway.

As the Ford Fusion passed by, the suspect exited the Crosstrek, prompting the driver to slow down and roll down their window. The suspect then drew a handgun from his waistband and fired a single shot into the front passenger-side door.

The two victims immediately fled the scene while briefly pursued by the suspect, who later broke off on Kennedy Road. They then drove directly to SP LaFayette to report the incident.

No injuries were reported.

The 17-year-old male suspect was arrested for Reckless Endangerment 1st degree (class “D” felony), Criminal Possession of a Firearm (class “E” felony), and Criminal Possession of a Firearm 2nd degree (class “C” felony). 

The 17 year old male suspect was arraigned by on-call CAP Court Judge Schiano and remanded to Hillbrook Juvenile Detention Center on $100,000 cash bail / $250,000 bond.

The investigation remains ongoing.

State Police seek public assistance with identifying an individual captured on surveillance video

On February 3, 2025, at approximately 12:00 p.m., State Police responded to Hannaford located at 21110 State Route 3 in Watertown for a reported larceny.

Surveillance footage captured a female suspect exiting the store without paying for merchandise. She then left the area on foot toward KeyBank, where she entered a red Nissan truck, possibly a Titan, before fleeing the scene.

Anyone with information on the suspect’s identity is urged to contact State Police at (315) 366-6000 and reference case #NY2500093328.

State Police Respond to Shots Fired Incident at Sangertown Mall

UPDATE: 

New Hartford Police Department is the lead agency and point of contact of this ongoing investigation. ___________________________________________

New Hartford- On March 1, 2025, New York State Police responded to a report of shots fired at Sangertown Square Mall, located at 8555 Seneca Turnpike, New Hartford, NY.

At this time, one male victim has been identified. Out of caution, the mall is being evacuated.

Law enforcement are currently searching for a suspect(s). The public is advised to avoid the area as law enforcement continues to investigate.

This is not an active shooter situation. 

New York State Police remain on the scene, and the investigation is ongoing.

Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Traffic Stop on NYS Thruway in Rockland County Leads to Drug Seizure

On February 28, 2025, Troopers from Troop T, SP Tarrytown, participating in the Rockland County Violent Crime Suppression Detail, arrested a Rensselaer and Bronx man for possession of a large quantity of narcotics with intent to sell on Interstate 87 in the Town of Ramapo.

At approximately 8:26 p.m., the Troopers conducted a traffic stop on a 2019 Honda Pilot for a violation of the vehicle and traffic law on the New York State Thruway. The Troopers identified the driver as Robert Morales, age 57, of Rensselaer, and his passenger as Irving Prado, age 51, of the Bronx.

A subsequent investigation ensued. K-9 Odin was deployed and alerted on the vehicle. A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted, which resulted in approximately 48.5 grams of Fentanyl and approximately 56 grams of Crack Cocaine being seized as evidence.

Both were arrested and charged with two counts of violating sections 220.16 subsection 12 (Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd, Possession Narcotic Drug Weight ½ Oz or More) and 220.16 subsection 1 (Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd , Intent to Sell) both class B felonies of the penal law.

The suspects were arraigned before the Honorable Judge Michael Bongiorno in Clarkstown town court and ordered held at the Rockland County Jail. They are scheduled to reappear in Ramapo town court on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.

Fatal collision on I-190

On February 28, 2025, at 9:30 P.M, Troopers out of SP Buffalo responded to a box truck collision on I-190 and I-90 in the city of Buffalo. Investigation determined that the 2023 Penske box truck was traveling south bound on I-190 merging onto the I-90. Due to unsafe speed the operator, Bhupinder S. Boyal, 53 of Brampton, ON lost control and the vehicle rolled onto the driver’s side. Boyal was deceased at the scene. Department of Environmental Conservation assisted with the large amount of diesel fuel leak. Boyal was transported to Erie County Medical Center for an autopsy.

The Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit assisted in this investigation.