State Police Seek Suspect in Philmont Assault

                                                                        William M. Metz

The New York State Police is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a suspect wanted for his involvement in a gang assault that occurred on January 10, 2025, in Philmont, NY.

State Police have issued an arrest warrant for William M. Metz, age 34, of Claverack, NY, on charges of gang assault 1st degree, a class B felony, and assault 2nd degree, a class D felony. Anyone who has any information on the whereabouts of William M. Metz is asked to call Troop K at 845-677-7300.

On January 10, 2025, at about 2:40 a.m., Troopers from SP Livingston responded to reports of an assault on Main Street in the village of Philmont. When Troopers arrived they found a single victim with multiple injuries, who reported that he was assaulted by four suspects who fled the scene.  The victim was transported to Albany Medical Center for treatment.

On January 11, 2025, the investigation led to the arrest of the following individuals for their roles in the assault:

• Victoria F. Mannino, age 51, of Germantown, NY, on charges of gang assault 1st degree, robbery 1st degree, and criminal mischief 4th degree.
• Andrea R. Bogucki, age 46, of Claverack, NY, on charges of gang assault 1st degree, DWAI drugs, unlawfully fleeing 3rd degree, criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th degree, and multiple vehicle and traffic law citations;
• Natasha Montague, 41, of Catskill, NY, on one count of gang assault 1st degree.

All three were arraigned in Claverack town court and ordered held in the Columbia County Jail.

Two individuals arrested stemming from a domestic in the town of Plattsburgh

On January 15, 2025, New York State Police members arrested Ashley R. Hemingway, age 29, of Plattsburgh, NY, for criminal possession of a weapon 2nd -loaded firearm, criminal possession of a weapon 3rd-ammunition feeding device, assault 2nd-intent to cause physical injury with a weapon, and reckless endangerment 1st. State Police members also arrested Darren S. Johnson, age 43, of Colchester, VT, for criminal possession of a weapon 3rd-previous conviction, criminal possession of a weapon 3rd-ammunition feeding device, and criminal mischief 3rd-damage another person’s property.

On January 15, 2025, at approximately 1:04 a.m., Troopers responded to Route 22 in the town of Plattsburgh for a domestic dispute. An investigation determined Hemingway and Johnson were involved in a verbal argument that turned physical between both parties striking each other. During the altercation, a firearm was presented and a brief struggle over the firearm led to a round being discharged striking Johnson in the leg. 

Johnson was transported to Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital for a non-life-threatening injury to his right leg.

Johnson was released from the hospital and went to SP Plattsburgh for processing. He was arraigned in the Town of Schuyler Falls Court, where he was remanded to Clinton County Jail in lieu of $20,000 cash, $40,000 secured bond, or $80,000 partially secured bond. 

Hemingway was arrested and processed at SP Plattsburgh. She was arraigned in the Town of Peru Court, where she was released on her own recognizance.

State Police in Troop G make notable DWI arrests 1/3- 1/13

On January 7, 2025, at about 2:08 p.m., State Police assigned to the Latham Interstate Patrol witnessed a vehicle strike a guide rail while driving northbound on I-787 in Albany, NY, and then continue driving. Troopers stopped the vehicle and identified the driver as Angel E. Otero, 23, of Rensselaer, NY.  Otero was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated and other Vehicle and Traffic Law violations.  He was transported to SP Latham for processing, where he recorded a 0.22% BAC. Otero was issued tickets returnable to the Albany City Court on January 24, 2025, and released to a sober third party.

On January 8, 2025, at about 5:50 p.m., State Police of Fonda stopped a vehicle on State Route 5 in Amsterdam, NY, for multiple Vehicle and Traffic Law violations.  The Driver who initially gave false identifying information was later identified as Micah O. Burch, 37, of Fonda, NY.  A child under the age of 16 was also located in the vehicle and turned over to a family member.  Burch was arrested for Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated with a Child (Leandra’s Law), Criminal Impersonation in the second degree, and other Vehicle and Traffic Law violations.  He was transported to SP Fonda for processing, where he recorded a 0.22% BAC.  Further investigation discovered Burch has had a previous DWI conviction in the last ten years. Burch was issued tickets returnable to the Amsterdam Town Court on February 6, 2025, and then turned over to the Gloversville Police Department due to an unrelated active warrant for his arrest.

On January 11, 2025, at about 3:49 p.m., State Police assigned to the Northway Interstate Patrol responded to the report of a rollover vehicle crash on I-87 Southbound in Clifton Park, NY.  Before law enforcement arrived, the vehicle, which had returned upright, continued traveling southbound. Troopers located the vehicle in a parking lot just off exit 9W in Clifton Park, NY. The driver was identified as Shawn P. Buck, 32, of Troy, NY.  Buck was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated and other Vehicle and Traffic Law violations.  He was transported to SP Clifton Park for processing, where he recorded a 0.11% BAC.  Further investigation determined Buck has had a previous DWI conviction in the last ten years.  He was issued tickets returnable to the Clifton Park town Court on January 23, 2025, and released to a sober third party.

On January 12, 2025, at about 1:06 a.m. State Police of Brunswick stopped a vehicle on 2nd Street in Troy, NY, for a Vehicle and Traffic Law violation.  The driver was identified as Rosemellow T. Lewis, 29, of Troy, NY.  Lewis was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated and other Vehicle and Traffic Law violations.  He was transported to SP Brunswick for processing, where he refused to provide a sample to determine the alcohol content of his blood.  Further investigation determined Lewis has had multiple previous DWI conviction in the last ten years, and as a result, his driving privileges were revoked. He was issued tickets returnable to the Troy City Court on February 17, 2025, and released.

State Police arrest Walden man for felony drug possession during Albany traffic stop

On January 13, 2025, State Police of Troop G Community Stabilization Unit, with the assistance of the Albany County Sheriff’s Office, arrested Ibo E. Boone, 37, of Walden, NY, for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the first degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the third degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the seventh degree and other Vehicle and Traffic Law violations.

On January 13, 2025, at about 10:21 a.m. Troopers stopped a vehicle on I-87 in Albany, NY, for multiple Vehicle and Traffic Law violations.  The driver was identified as Boone. During the investigation and with the assistance of an Albany County Sheriff’s Office, K9 unit felony weight narcotics and another controlled substance were located within Boone’s vehicle. All drugs were seized.

Boone was arrested at the scene and transported to SP Latham for processing. He was arraigned at the Albany City Court and remanded to the Albany County Correctional Facility without bail.

State Police investigate two altercations in the area of the Capital Building

On December 26, 2024, at about 7:05 p.m., State Police received a complaint of an altercation in the area of Madison Avenue in Albany, NY. The investigation determined that the victim was walking in the area when they were approached by a man unknown to them who asked for money. When the victim declined, the suspect struck them in the head. The victim fled and immediately reported the incident to State Police at the Capital. Troopers searched the area but did not locate the suspect. That suspect was later identified as Andre Lundstrom, age 53. On January 2, 2025, Lundstrom was arrested and charged with Harassment in the second degree and Criminal Mischief in the third degree. He was arraigned at the Albany City Court and remanded to the Albany County Correctional Facility without bail.

On January 15, 2025, at about 6:18 a.m., State Police received a complaint of a past altercation. The investigation determined that the victim was walking from the East Garage towards the Madison Avenue entrance to the Empire State Plaza in Albany, NY, when they approached and were struck in the head by an individual unknown to them. The victim fled and immediately reported the incident to State Police at the Capital. Troopers patrolled the area, but the suspect was not located. The investigation is ongoing, and no arrests have been made at this time. 

Although these altercations seem to be random and unrelated, they highlight the importance of community awareness. Public safety is the New York State Police’s top priority, and we urge anyone in the area to stay alert and aware of their surroundings.  If you notice any suspicious activity or anything that could pose a danger, please report it to the State Police immediately. Our Troopers will continue to patrol the area, and additional patrols have been put in place to enhance safety.

Pedestrian Fatally Struck by a Vehicle in Rosendale

On January 16, 2025, at approximately 8:19 p.m., New York State Police responded to a report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle on Route 32 in the town of Rosendale, NY.

The preliminary investigation indicates that a 2013 Toyota was traveling northbound on Route 32 when a pedestrian, identified as Victoria Cooper, age 37, of Kingston, NY, entered the roadway and was struck by the vehicle. Upon impact, the pedestrian was knocked into the southbound lane, where she was subsequently run over by an unidentified vehicle that left the scene.  The Operator of the 2013 Toyota remained on scene and contacted police.  

EMS arrived on scene and administered life-saving measures; however, Cooper succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The search for the unidentified vehicle continues and the investigation is still on going.

Anyone with information is asked to contact SP Kingston BCI at (845) 338-1702.  All tips will remain confidential.