State Police arrest Utica man for possessing more than 20lbs of cannabis products.
On April 6, 2025, State Police arrested Raheeb M. Al Ammari, 27, of Utica, NY, for two counts of Criminal Possession of Cannabis in the first degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the fifth degree, and multiple Vehicle and Traffic Law violations.
On April 6, 2025, at about 3:08 a.m. State Police of Troop T stopped a vehicle on I-90 in Rotterdam, NY, for Vehicle and Traffic law violations. The driver was identified as Al Ammari. Al Ammari did not possess a valid driver’s license. Further investigation discovered more than 10 pounds of cannabis, more than 4 pounds of concentrated cannabis products, and more than $20,000 cash in the vehicle.
Al Ammari was arrested and transported to SP Princetown for processing. He was then arraigned in Schenectady Centralized Part Court and released on his own recognizance.
State Police arrest Northville man following a dispute with a firearm
On March 22, 2025, State Police, with the assistance of the Northville Police Department and Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, arrested Keegan M. Kolbe, 34, of Northville, NY, for Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the third degree, Unlawful Imprisonment in the first degree, Menacing in the second degree, Assault in the third degree, and Criminal Obstruction of Breathing.
On March 22, 2025, at about 7:52 p.m., Troopers responded to a home in Northville, NY, for the reports of a past disturbance involving a weapon. The investigation determined Kolbe and the victim were reportedly engaged in a physical dispute earlier in the evening. During the altercation, Kolbe allegedly held the victim against their will, struck them, obstructed their breathing, and threatened them with a firearm. The victim eventually got away and called for assistance and medical evaluation. Kolbe was located in his home and, after a brief standoff, exited the home without incident and was taken into custody.
Kolbe was transported to SP Mayfield for processing. He was arraigned at the Fulton County Centralized Arraignment Part Court, where he paid a set $5,000 bail and was released.
State Police Investigating Fatal Crash in the town of Deerfield
At 11:50 p.m., on April 12th, State Route 12 was reopened in both directions.
On Saturday, April 12, 2025, at approximately 7:34 p.m., State Police in Marcy responded to a report of a single-vehicle crash on State Route 12 at the Trenton Road overpass in the town of Deerfield, Oneida County.
Upon arrival, Troopers located one person deceased inside the vehicle.
A preliminary investigation determined that a vehicle was traveling northbound on State Route 12 when, for unknown reasons, it left the roadway, crossed the center median, and struck a bridge post. The vehicle subsequently caught fire and was fully engulfed upon the arrival of the Deerfield Fire Department.
The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing. The identity of the victim is being withheld pending family notification.
State Route 12 remains closed in both directions at the Trenton Road overpass as investigators work at the scene. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.
Updates will be provided as they become available.
Altona male arrested for aggravated harassment 2nd
On April 11, 2025, State Police arrested Elijah J. Thume, a 36-year-old resident of Altona, NY, for aggravated harassment in the second degree.
On January 13, 2025, at approximately 7:33 p.m., Troopers responded to a harassment complaint on Ryan Road in the town of Ellenburg. Their investigation revealed that Thume had been sending threatening text messages to the victim. Despite their efforts to locate him at that time, Troopers could not find Thume. They coordinated with the Town of Ellenburg Court and applied for an arrest warrant, which was granted in April.
Once the warrant was issued, Troopers located Thume and arrested him. He was transported to the State Police station in Ellenburg for processing. Thume was arraigned in the Town of Ellenburg Court and subsequently remanded to Clinton County Jail, with bail set at $10,000.
Awkwesasne female arrested for grand larceny 4th
On April 11, 2025, State Police arrested Joeanna F. Gagne, 36, from Akwesasne, QC, for grand larceny in the fourth degree, which involves property taken from a person.
On April 8, 2025, at approximately 12:30 a.m., troopers responded to a harassment complaint at Twinleafs, located on Chateaugay Street in Fort Covington. An investigation revealed that Gagne and the victim had been involved in a verbal argument at the gas station. During the altercation, Gagne removed the victim’s ID badge and left with it. The victim requested the return of the ID badge as it is necessary for their employment.
Gagne was located, arrested, and transported to SP Malone for processing. She was then released on an appearance ticket to appear in the Town of Fort Covington Court at a later date in April.
Road Rage Incident Leads to Police Pursuit and DWI Arrest
On April 12, 2025, at approximately 2:04 p.m., State Police in Carthage responded to a report of a hit-and-run crash on State Route 3 in the town of Champion, Jefferson County.
Upon arrival, Troopers located a 2020 GMC pickup truck operated by Rodney Clement, age 66, of Carthage, NY. Clement reported that a blue sedan swerved directly in front of him and abruptly braked, causing his vehicle to rear-end the sedan. Clement stated that the driver of the sedan exited the vehicle, and a physical altercation ensued before the sedan fled the scene.
A short time later, responding Troopers observed a blue 2012 Dodge Avenger matching the suspect vehicle’s description traveling on State Route 3. When Troopers attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the driver failed to comply, and a pursuit was initiated. The chase continued into Lewis County and concluded when the suspect vehicle pulled into a driveway on State Route 3 in the town of Harrisville.
The operator, identified as Henry Fleming, age 50, of Watertown, NY, was interviewed by Troopers and appeared to be intoxicated. Fleming was taken into custody without further incident and transported to SP Carthage.
Fleming was charged with driving while intoxicated and multiple vehicle and traffic violations. He was issued an appearance ticket and released.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Norwood female arrested for CPCS 7th and tampering with evidence
On April 13, 2025, members of the State Police arrested Katie J. Vallance, age 37, from Norwood, NY, for criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree and tampering with physical evidence by concealing or destroying it.
At approximately 7:17 p.m. on the same day, Troopers observed a green 2021 Subaru Forester fail to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of County Route 48 and County Route 47 in the town of Norfolk. The Troopers initiated a traffic stop and interviewed the passengers in the vehicle. The driver was identified as Yvonne M. Benway, the front passenger as Gerald D. Benway, and the rear passenger as Katie J. Vallance. During the interviews, it was revealed that Vallance had an active warrant for her arrest. She was taken into custody without incident.
Vallance was asked multiple times if she had any illegal contraband in her possession, and she repeatedly denied having any. However, she was later found to be carrying a clear plastic baggie containing a white powdery substance, which was identified as cocaine.
Vallance was arraigned in the Town of Norfolk Court and released under the supervision of probation. She was subsequently transported to the St. Lawrence County Facility due to a bench warrant issued by the Massena Police Department.
Norwich Troopers investigate fatal crash in Oxford
On April 12, 2025, at approximately 9:11 p.m., a Trooper from SP Norwich came upon a two-vehicle head-on collision on State Highway 12 just south of County Road 4 in the town of Oxford. The operator of one vehicle was pronounced deceased at the scene.
An investigation at the scene determined that a Lawrence S. Slater, age 51 of Norwich, NY was traveling north on State Highway 12 in a Dodge Caravan when he crossed into on-coming traffic and struck a Chevrolet Equinox head-on. The operator of the Equinox, Steven C. Biviano, age 62 of Oxford, NY did not survive. Slater was transported by Oxford Ambulance to UHS Wilson Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The investigation is on-going.
Otsego County man arrested following domestic dispute
On April 11, 2025, at approximately 7:49 p.m., New York State Police arrested Mark D. Baily, age 54 of Hartwick, NY following a reported domestic dispute in the town of Exeter.
An investigation determined that while at a residence on Robinson Road, Bailey was involved in a domestic dispute that started off verbal but turned physical. Baily is also accused at pointing a loaded crossbow at a victim’s vehicle as they attempted to drive away from the area. During the investigation, it was determined that Baily owns several guns but is not allowed to possess firearms because he is a convicted felon.
Baily was arrested on scene and has been charged with the following misdemeanors:
- Menacing in the second degree
- Assault in the third degree
- Endangering the Welfare of a Child
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the fourth degree
Baily was issued appearance tickets to the Exeter Town Court on May 14, 2025.
Vehicle Crash Leads to DWI Arrest in Manchester
On April 14, 2025, at approximately 5:18 a.m., New York State Police from SP Canandaigua were dispatched to the area of South Main Street in the town of Manchester, Ontario County, for a report of a vehicle that had struck a building.
Upon arrival, troopers observed a broken telephone pole and a large hole in the side of a commercial building identified as Jack’s Kitchen. The involved vehicle was not at the scene but was located in a nearby parking lot off Clifton Street, unoccupied.
A female, later identified as Samantha I. Jones, age 29, of Clyde, NY, was found nearby. Subsequent to a DWI investigation, Jones was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated and transported to SP Canandaigua for processing. Jones was issued appearance tickets for Manchester Town Court on May 14, 2025.
Troop F Community Stabilization Unit Arrest Howard Beach Man on Drug Charges Following Traffic Stop
On April 13, 2025, at approximately 4:23 p.m., members of the Troop F Community Stabilization Unit (CSU) observed a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee traveling westbound on State Route 17 in the town of Mamakating, in violation of New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law. Troopers initiated a traffic stop and interviewed the operator and sole occupant, identified as Rafael A. Dejesus, age 67, of Howard Beach, NY.
A subsequent exterior search of the vehicle, assisted by K9 Wink, resulted in a positive alert for narcotics. Troopers then conducted a more thorough search of the vehicle, uncovering over 3,300 grams of Fentanyl.
During the investigation, Dejesus was placed under arrest and became unresponsive due to medical issues. EMS responded to the scene, and he was transported to Garnet Health Medical Center for evaluation. Dejesus was later discharged from the hospital and transported to State Police Wurtsboro for criminal processing.
Dejesus was charged with the following:
- Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st Degree, a Class A-1 Felony
- Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd Degree (Intent to Sell), a Class B Felony
- Multiple Uniform Traffic Tickets
Dejesus was arraigned in Mamakating Town Court on April 13, 2025, and remanded to the Sullivan County Jail without bail, where he will await future court proceedings.
