Grand Larceny Investigation Leads to Arrest
On August 31, 2024, New York State Police responded to the Sunglass Hut at 655 State Route 318, the Waterloo Outlets, for a reported larceny. Store employees provided security footage showing three suspects stealing multiple pairs of sunglasses. Through investigation, the State Police identified one suspect as Dexter Lee McKenzie, 60, of Rochester, NY.
On January 28, 2025, Investigators located and arrested Dexter Lee McKenzie in the city of Rochester in connection with the Grand Larceny investigation. During an initial interview on November 6, 2024, McKenzie falsely identified himself using a false name and date of birth despite being warned about potential charges for providing false information. Further investigation confirmed his true identity as Dexter Lee McKenzie.
McKenzie was charged with Grand Larceny 4th (E Felony) and False Personation (B Misdemeanor). He was transported to SP Rochester for processing and released on an appearance ticket, returnable to the Town of Junius Court on February 20, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
Probation Check Leads to Arrest and Recovery of Stolen Firearm in Wayne County
On January 27, 2025, at approximately 10:36 a.m., New York State Police in Lyons responded to 18 Sweed Road in the town of Newark, Wayne County, following a report from Wayne County Probation regarding the discovery of a firearm during a probation check.
A Wayne County Probation Officer was conducting a routine check at the residence of Gregg M. Pottorff when he observed a loaded Hatfield Gun Company single-shot shotgun in plain view. Further investigation revealed the firearm had been reported stolen from a residence in the village of Newark on August 28, 2020. The Newark Police Department confirmed the stolen status of the shotgun.
Pottorff was taken into custody by Wayne County Probation and transferred to the custody of the New York State Police. Pottorff was charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4th (A Misdemeanor) and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 4th (E Felony). Pottorff was processed at SP Lyons and issued an appearance ticket for Arcadia Town Court on February 19, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. He was subsequently released into the custody of Wayne County Probation for further action regarding his probation violation.
State Police Arrest Port Ewin Man for Trespass, Forgery and Drug related charges in the Town of Catskill
On January 20, 2025, State Police arrested Michael J. Eisgruber, for the following:
- Criminal Possession Stolen Property-5th Degree (class “A” misdemeanor)
- Criminal Possession Controlled Substance- 7th Degree (class “A” misdemeanor)
- Possession Forged Instrument-2nd Degree (class “D” felony)
- Manufacture Drug Related Paraphernalia (Meth) (class “A” misdemeanor)
- Petit Larceny (class “A” misdemeanor)
On Monday January 20, 2025 at approximately 7:34 a.m., on Route 9W in the Town of Catskill, County of Greene, State of New York the defendant did steal a key belonging to Peckham Industries, that was secured in a black hide a key box on the metal post of the gate, which is used only for Peckham Industries employees.
- Criminal Possession Controlled Substance- 7th Degree (class “A” misdemeanor)
For unlawfully possessing multiple plastic baggies containing a clear/white hard substance, identified as crystal methamphetamine, with a total aggregate weight of 1.0 grams.
- Criminal Trespass 3rd: Property Fenced in or Enclosed (class “B” misdemeanor)
when he knowingly and unlawfully entered and remained on private property, which is secured by fencing, belonging to Peckham Industries.
On January 20, 2025, at 7:34 am, State Police responded to Peckham Industries, ROUTE 9W, Catskill, NY for a subject who had entered their posted/gated property with a vehicle. When troopers arrived, they located a vehicle which was occupied by operator, Michael J. Eisgruber who was taken into custody for Criminal Trespassing at scene. While inspecting the vehicle, Troopers located a handwritten red and black inspection sticker displayed on the windshield that was obviously forged. Also located were stolen license plates mounted on the vehicle, multiple bags of methamphetamine, and a glass pipe used to ingest methamphetamine.
Eisgruber was transported to State Police Catskill and was processed on the above charges and arraigned at the Town of Cairo Court and released on his own recognizance.
State Police Investigate Fatal Crash in Pompey
On January 30, 2025, at about 7:47 a.m., State Police in Lafayette responded to State Route 91 in the town of Pompey for a two-vehicle personal injury accident.
A preliminary investigation revealed that Gia L. Myers, age 17, from Jamesville, NY, was operating a 2010 Hyundai Accent southbound on State Route 91 when she lost control due to snow covered roadway and entered the opposite lane striking a 2022 Chevy Tahoe, operated by Krystal L. Behnke, age 37, from Fabius, NY that was traveling northbound.
The passenger of the 2010 Hyundai Accent, Gavin R. Myers, age 15, from Jamesville, NY, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Gia L. Myers was transported to Upstate Hospital where she is listed in critical condition.
Gia and Gavin are both students in the Fabius-Pompey School District.
The investigation is continuing.
Altona female arrested for falsely reporting a crime 3rd
On January 28, 2025, State Police members arrested Dezerea V. Dashnaw, age 19, of Altona, NY, for falsely reporting a crime 3rd.
On January 27, 2025, at approximately 8:06 p.m., Troopers responded to Monty Road in the town of Altona for a possible abduction complaint. An investigation determined Dashnaw went for a walk and started texting her boyfriend stating she was being kidnapped at gunpoint.
Dashnaw was located by the City of Plattsburgh Police Department walking and turned over to the State Police for questioning. Further investigation determined Dashnaw falsely reported the kidnapping, and she was in good health when she was located. She was arrested and processed at SP Plattsburgh, where she was later released on an appearance ticket returnable to the Town of Altona Court, for a later date in February.
Human Remains Identified in Chemung River
The New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Horseheads has identified human remains discovered along the Chemung River in September 2024 as belonging to Matthew A. Barber of Elmira, NY.
On September 28, 2024, the New York State Police at SP Horseheads responded to a report of human remains found along the Chemung River near Interstate 86, Exit 59. The remains were located by two kayakers that were kayaking and fishing in the area. They discovered what appeared to be a human skull and immediately contacted authorities.
New York State Police personnel, with assistance from the Chemung and Wellsburg Fire Departments, K9 units, New York State Police Forensic Investigators, and New York State Police Underwater recovery team, and the Elmira Police Department conducted a thorough search of the area. A cadaver K9 search led to the discovery of an additional skeletal element, later identified as a left hip bone. Both the skull and hip bone were transported to forensic specialists for further analysis.
The Binghamton University Forensic Anthropology Lab and the New York State Police Forensic Investigation Center (FIC) conducted DNA analysis and forensic examinations. The DNA extracted from the remains confirmed a match to Matthew A. Barber, a missing person case previously investigated by the Elmira Police Department and is considered suspicious in nature.
This case remains under investigation by the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Horseheads, in coordination with the Elmira Police Department. Authorities are seeking any additional information regarding Matthew Barber’s disappearance and circumstances leading to his remains being found.
Please contact the New York State Police at 585-398-4100or crimetip@troopers.ny.gov
State Police Investigate Robbery in Onondaga County
On January 30, 2025, at about 3:46 a.m., State Police in North Syracuse responded to a reported Robbery at the Byrne Dairy located at 2307 Brewerton Road in the town of Salina.
A male entered the store wearing a facemask, displayed a knife, and demanded money from the clerk. The suspect left the scene in a white pickup truck with a back rack.
The suspect appears to be a white male, approximately 5 foot 8 inches tall, with a thin build. He wore a black ball cap with a light-colored line around the brim, a black Nike sweat jacket, gray camo pants, and black and white Nike sneakers.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact State Police at (315) 366-6000 and reference case #NY2500080869.
State Police investigate a fatal collision in the town of St. Armand
On January 29, 2025, at approximately 5:00 p.m., State Police members responded to State Route 3 in the town of St. Armand for a one-car collision into a utility trailer. An investigation determined a black 2004 Dodge Dakota, operated by Alfred W. Clark, age 71, of Vermontville, NY, was traveling west on State Route 3 when he lost control of the vehicle due to a medical event. Clark exits the roadway, enters a parking lot, and strikes a utility trailer. Civilians, EMS, and Troopers attempted life-saving measures. Essex County Coroner arrived and pronounced Clark deceased on the scene.
This is an ongoing investigation.
State Police are seeking public assistance with a larceny case in Watertown
On January 20, 2025, State Police responded to Walmart on State Route 3 in the town of Watertown for a larceny complaint.
State Police in Watertown are attempting to identify the suspect who was captured on surveillance camera exiting the store without paying for merchandise.
Anyone who recognizes the individual in the photo is asked to contact State Police at (315) 366-6000 and reference case #NY2500053886.
State Police investigate tractor-trailer crash on the NYS Thruway in Montgomery County
On January 30, 2025, at about 4:07 p.m., Troopers on the New York State Thruway responded to a rollover crash involving a tractor-trailer that occurred eastbound near Exit 27 in the town of Florida.
The preliminary investigation has determined that the tractor-trailer was traveling in the left lane when it veered onto the left-hand shoulder and rolled over. The tractor-trailer was carrying steel beams which spilled onto the median.
The driver of the tractor-trailer and a passenger were flown by helicopter to Albany Medical Center with serious injuries, but those injuries do not appear to be life-threatening.
The left lane is currently blocked, and there are traffic delays in both directions.
