State Police arrest Bethlehem man for Child Pornography possession
On February 21, 2025, State Police of Latham, with the assistance of the Troop G Computer Crimes Unit, the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, The Bethlehem Police Department, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, arrested Daniel B. Fiato, 43, of Bethlehem, 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.
Fiato 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 Bethlehem, NY, residence on February 21, 2025. The investigation stemmed from a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
Fiato was arrested at his home and transported to SP Latham for processing. He was then arraigned at the Bethlehem Town Court, where he was remanded to the Albany County Correctional Facility without bail.
Overturned tractor trailer shuts down 81 during morning commute
Numerous weather related crashes made travel along Interstate 81 in Cortland County a bit tricky.
On February 21, 2025, at approximately 7:25 a.m., New York State Police at Homer responded to an overturned tractor trailer on I-81 near mile marker 56 in the town of Homer. The driver of the tractor trailer, a 38-year-old female from Carlstadt, NJ was checked out on scene but not transported. The Interstate was shut down around 9:00 a.m. to assist with tow removal and reopened around 11:00 a.m.
Troopers have responded to numerous crashes and disabled vehicles since early this morning:
At approximately 3:13 a.m., Troopers assisted a Toyota Highlander on I-81 near mile marker 53 in Cortland that went off the roadway and into a snow embankment. No injuries were reported from the 29-year-old male driver from Jamaica, NY.
At approximately 5:25 a.m., Troopers were dispatched to I-81 north, mile marker 58 in the town of Homer for a tractor trailer on its side. The 58-year-old male driver from Brookhaven, GA was not injured.
At approximately 7:10 a.m., Troopers responded to I-81 north, mile marker 48 in the town of Cortlandville where a Jeep Wrangler lost control on the roadway, rolled but ended up upright. The 29-year-old male of Endicott, NY did not report any injuries.
At approximately 8:24 a.m., a Trooper responded to I-81 north, mile maker 56 in the town of Homer for a two vehicle crash where a Toyota Rav4 was slowing for traffic and was rear-ended by a Chevrolet Equinox. No injuries were reported from the 22-year old male of Prattsburgh, NY in the Rav4 or the 39-year-old male from Cortland, NY in the Equinox.
At approximately 11:27 a.m., Troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash with reported injuries on State Route 281 in Preble. An investigation at the scene determined that a Toyota Corolla was at the off ramp from I-81 south at exit 62 and State Route 281. The operator of the Corolla attempted to make a left turn at State Route 281 but instead crossed over State Route 281 and attempted to get onto the on-ramp from State Route 281 onto Interstate 81 south. A Dodge Ram was traveling northeast on State Route 281 when it collided into the passenger side of the Corolla. The operator of the Corolla, a 22-year-old female of Syracuse, NY and three passengers (a 25-year-old male of Syracuse, NY, a 19-year-old male of Syracuse, NY and a 29-year-old female of Syracuse, NY) were all transported to Upstate Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries. The operator of the Dodge Ram, a 70-year-old male of Liverpool, NY was not transported.
The roadways in Cortland County remain slick. If you do not have to go out today, please stay home. If you do need to go out, please use extreme caution!
Pictures from 7:25 am tractor trailer rollover in the Town Homer
New York State Police Investigate Hit-and-Run Crash on I-90
Update:
A preliminary investigation determined that a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado, operated by Christopher J. Hernandez, 23, of Newark, NY, lost control and swerved, causing a Ford F-550, driven by Barry J. Darling, 41, of Solvay, NY, to brake and exit the north shoulder of the roadway to avoid a collision.
A 2016 Jeep Compass, operated by Christopher Baker, 22, of South Glens Falls, NY, then rear-ended the Ford F-550 and partially entered the passing lane, where it was struck by a westbound Freightliner tractor-trailer operated by Sarjo Drammeh, 35, of Wisconsin. The tractor-trailer fled the scene but was later located at the Seneca Service Area on the Thruway.
Injuries:
• Christopher Baker (Jeep operator) was transported to Upstate University Hospital with serious injuries.
• Anneka Pray, 18, of Corfu, NY (Jeep front passenger), was transported to Upstate in critical condition.
• Barry J. Darling (Ford F-550 operator) was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital with minor injuries.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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Brooklyn male arrested for CPCS 1st and CPCS 3rd
On February 20, 2025, Troop B-Violent Gangs and Narcotics Enforcement Team charged Jason S. Jones, age 41, of Brooklyn, NY, with one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 1st degree (a Class A-1 felony) and one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd degree (a Class B Felony).
On that same day, at approximately 12:21 p.m., members of the New York State Police were patrolling State Highway 37 in the town of Oswegatchie and initiated a traffic stop on a 2025 Honda Pilot for violating a traffic law. During the stop, the driver was identified as Jones, and while interviewing Jones, U.S. Border Patrol K9 Handler deployed K9 Orka who provided a positive alert for narcotics.
Further investigation revealed that Jones was in possession of cocaine. He was subsequently arrested and transported to the State Police station in Ogdensburg for processing. After being arraigned in the Ogdensburg City Court he was remanded to St. Lawrence County Jail without bail.
The New York State Police were assisted by U.S Homeland Security, U.S. Border Patrol, and St. Lawrence County Drug Task Force.
New York State Police Investigating Wrong-Way Crash on Interstate 95
Mamaroneck, NY – The New York State Police is investigating a serious motor vehicle collision that occurred early this morning on Interstate 95 northbound, near Exit 19, in the Village of Mamaroneck.
At approximately 4:07 a.m., the Thruway Statewide Operations Center (TSOC) received a report of a wrong-way driver traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of Interstate 95. Shortly thereafter, a head-on collision occurred at milepost marker 9.9 that involved a wrong-way passenger vehicle and a tractor-trailer.
Preliminary investigation determined that a 2012 Honda CRV, operated by Walter J. Perez-Menchu, age 38, was traveling the wrong way when it collided head-on with a 2023 Freightliner tractor-trailer, operated by Charles Adams Evers, age 33.
Mr. Perez-Menchu was entrapped in his vehicle and sustained serious injuries, including trauma to his arms, legs, and head. He was extricated by emergency responders and transported to Westchester Medical Center, where he is currently listed in critical but stable condition.
Mr. Evers was uninjured and displayed no signs of impairment. He voluntarily submitted to Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, which confirmed no criminality on his part.
The collision resulted in a full closure of all northbound lanes, and traffic was temporarily diverted at Exit 18. The right lane was reopened at approximately 5:10 a.m. All lanes were fully reopened by 6:40 a.m.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Assisting agencies included the Village of Mamaroneck Police Department, the Village of Mamaroneck Fire Department, and Mamaroneck EMS.
State Police in Troop G make notable DWI arrests 2/14- 2/19
On February 14, 2025, at about 5:13 p.m., State Police of Mayfield responded to the area of Bridge Street in Broadalbin, NY, for the report of a vehicle off the roadway into a snowbank. The driver was identified as Floyd C. Douglas, 75, of Broadalbin, NY. Douglas was uncooperative with the investigation and was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated and other Vehicle and Traffic Law violations. He was transported to SP Mayfield, where he recorded a 0.19% BAC. Douglas was issued tickets returnable to the Broadalbin Town Court on March 20, 2025, and released.
On February 14, 2025, at about 8:35 p.m., State Police of Mayfield responded to the reports of a dispute. The investigation determined Jeremy S. Smith, 36, of Northville, NY. The investigation determined Smith was involved in an altercation with a victim while he was operating a vehicle in the area of Scriber Hill Road. During the altercation, Smith lost control of the vehicle and struck a snowbank. The victim was injured during the dispute, fled the scene, and contacted 911. The Troopers located the vehicle unoccupied and still stuck in the snowbank. Smith was located in a nearby home where he was arrested for Assault in the third degree, Driving While Intoxicated, and other Vehicle and Traffic Law violations. He was transported to SP Mayfield for processing, where Smith refused to provide a sample to determine the alcohol content of his blood. Further investigation discovered Smith has had multiple previous DWI convictions in the last ten years. He was arraigned at the Hope Town Court, where he was released on his own recognizance.
On February 15, 2025, at about 12:54 a.m. State Police of Saratoga stopped a vehicle on Nelson Avenue in Saratoga Springs, NY, for a Vehicle and Traffic Law violation. The driver was identified as Jackson R. Zuvic, 31 of Saratoga Springs, NY. Zuvic was arrested for Driving While intoxicated and other Vehicle and Traffic Law violations. He was transported to SP Saratoga for processing, where he refused to provide a sample to determine the alcohol content of his blood. Further investigation determined that Zuvic has had a previous DWI conviction in the last ten years. He was issued tickets returnable to the Saratoga Springs City Court on March 5, 2025, and released to a sober party.
On February 16, 2025, at about 5:35 p.m., State Police of Mayfield responded to the report of a one-car crash off the roadway in the area of County Road 107 in Perth, NY. The driver was identified as Matthew T. Kortz, 48, of Gloversville, NY. Kortz was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated and other Vehicle and Traffic Law violations. He was transported to SP Mayfield for processing, where he recorded a 0.26% BAC. Kortz was issued tickets returnable to the Perth Town Court on March 24, 2025, and released to a sober third party.
Troopers respond to several crashes during morning drive in Otsego and Delaware Counties
Troopers in Otsego and Delaware Counties responded to a handful of crashes during the morning commute.
On February 21, 2025, at approximately 7:10 a.m., New York State Police at Stamford responded to Interstate 88 near mile marker 58 in the town of Oneonta where a Chevrolet Suburban traveling westbound went off the roadway and struck an earth embankment. The operator, a 38-year-old female of Davenport, NY did not report any injuries.
At approximately 7:20 a.m., New York State Police at Oneonta responded to a crash where a Subaru Impreza was traveling east on I-88 in the city of Oneonta and left the roadway then struck a fence in the median of the Interstate. The operator, a 26-year-old male of Sidney, NY did not wish to be transported to the hospital.
At approximately 7:44 a.m., New York State Police at Sidney responded to Interstate 88 in the town of Sidney where a Dodge Dakota was traveling east and lost control, went across the median, crossed into the westbound lanes and comes to rest in an embankment. The operator, a 70-year-old male from Sandford, FL did not report any injuries.
At approximately 7:56 a.m., a Sergeant from the New York State Police TIM (Traffic Incident Management) Unit came upon a one-vehicle crash where a Toyota Corolla went off the roadway and down an embankment on I-88 in the town of Otego. The operator, a 45 year old male of Binghamton, NY was transported to A.O Fox Hospital to be checked out.
At approximately 8:03 a.m., New Yok State Police at Sidney responded to a vehicle disabled on I-88 in the town of Sidney. The Honda Civic was partially off the roadway and did not get damaged. The operator, a female from Windsor, NY was not injured.
At approximately 8:59 a.m., New York State Police at Richfield Springs responded to State Highway 20 for a jackknifed tractor trailer. No injuries were reported to the 23-year-old driver of Woodbridge, VA or 39-year-old passenger of Smyrna, DE.
State Police Investigate Armed Robbery at a Stewart’s Shop in the Town of Wawarsing
On February 17, 2025, at approximately 10:58 p.m., troopers responded to a panic alarm at Stewart’s Shop, located at 6331 Route 209 in the Town of Wawarsing.
The preliminary investigation revealed that a male suspect, described as wearing a gray hoodie, dark pants, white sneakers, and a blue ski mask, entered the store armed with a firearm. The suspect approached a female employee, pointed the weapon at her back, and demanded money, threatening harm if she did not comply. The suspect subsequently fled the store.
On February 19, 2025, the suspect, identified as Thomas E. Miller, age 55, of Kerhonkson, NY, was located, arrested, and charged with Robbery in the 1st Degree Forcible Theft Armed with a Deadly Weapon (E felony) and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree Loaded Firearm (C felony).
Miller was arraigned in the Ulster County CAP Court and remanded to Ulster County Jail with bail set at $100K cash, $200K bond.
This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact State Police Ellenville BCI at 845-626-2800.
