Notable DWI Arrest Troop F: March 1-March 7, 2025
On March 1, 2025, at approximately 1:29 a.m., troopers from State Police Highland observed a 2018 Mercedes-Benz traveling eastbound on State Route 299 in the town of Lloyd, violating several New York State Vehicle and Traffic Laws. Troopers initiated a stop and interviewed the driver, identified as Ronald Roque, 34, of Rocky Point, NY. After further investigation, Roque was determined to be impaired and was arrested for Aggravated Driving While Impaired: Per Se-BAC .18% or more in blood (no prior offenses). He was transported to State Police Highland for processing, where he recorded a BAC of .18%. Roque was released on an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Lloyd Court on March 25, 2025, at 3:00 p.m.
On March 1, 2025, at approximately 2:47 a.m., troopers from State Police Haverstraw observed a 2019 Nissan traveling on the Palisades Interstate Parkway (PIP) in the town of Clarkstown, committing multiple violations of New York State Vehicle and Traffic Laws. Troopers stopped the vehicle and identified the driver as Gina Jenkins, 39, of Montvale, NJ. Jenkins was determined to be impaired and arrested for Driving While Impaired. Additionally, she was charged with Aggravated Driving While Impaired with a Child under 16 (a Class E felony) due to having a child as a passenger in the vehicle. Jenkins was transported to State Police Haverstraw for processing, where she recorded a BAC of .16%. Jenkins was released on an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Clarkstown Court on March 26, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.
On March 1, 2025, at approximately 12:27 p.m., troopers from State Police Wurtsboro observed a 2020 Jeep traveling on Rina Road in the village of Wurtsboro, committing multiple violations of New York Vehicle and Traffic Laws. Troopers stopped the vehicle and interviewed the driver, identified as John Bitzer, 57, of Wurtsboro, NY, who was showing signs of impairment. Bitzer was arrested for Driving While Impaired and transported to State Police Wurtsboro, where he recorded a BAC of .13%. Bitzer was additionally charged with Driving While Impaired (previous conviction of a designated offense within 10 years, a Class E felony) and Operating a Motor Vehicle with a BAC of .08% or more after a prior conviction of a designated offense within 10 years (a Class E felony). He was released on an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Mamakating Court on April 30, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.
On March 2, 2025, at approximately 12:19 a.m., troopers from State Police Middletown observed a 2017 Nissan driving erratically on Academy Avenue in the city of Middletown, in violation of several New York State Vehicle and Traffic Laws. Troopers initiated a stop and interviewed the driver, identified as Ignacio Portilla Alarcon, 30, of Middletown, NY. After further investigation, troopers determined that Portilla Alarcon was impaired. During the investigation, it was discovered that he had two underage passengers in the rear seat. Portilla Alarcon was arrested and charged with Aggravated Driving While Impaired with a Child Less Than 16 1st Offense a class E felony. He was transported to State Police Middletown where he recorded a BAC of .14%. Portilla Alarcon was release on an appearance ticket to the City of Middletown Court for April 4, 2025, at 9 a.m.
On March 2, 2025, at approximately 12:19 a.m., troopers from State Police Hunter observed a 2021 Volvo traveling westbound on Route 23A in the Town of Hunter, in violation of numerous New York State Vehicle and Traffic Laws. Troopers initiated a stop of the vehicle and interviewed the driver, identified as Alexander W. Smith, 33, of Watertown, CT, who was determined to be impaired. Smith was subsequently arrested and charged with Aggravated Driving While Impaired. He was transported to State Police Hunter, where he recorded a BAC of .21%. Smith was released on an appearance ticket to the Town of Hunter Court for April 16, 2025, at 2 p.m.
On March 2, 2025, at approximately 1:28 a.m., troopers from State Police Highland observed a 2009 Chevrolet on Route 9W in the Town of Lloyd, in violation of numerous New York State Vehicle and Traffic Laws. Troopers initiated a stop of the vehicle and interviewed the driver, identified as Drew S. Montgomery, 21, of Hudson, FL, who was determined to be impaired. Montgomery was subsequently arrested and charged with Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated. He was transported to State Police Highland for processing, where he recorded a BAC of .19%. Montgomery was released with an appearance ticket to the Town of Lloyd Court on April 1, 2025, at 3 p.m.
On March 2, 2025, at approximately 1:59 a.m., troopers from State Police Highland observed a 2019 Ford on Route 44/55 in the Town of Lloyd, in violation of numerous New York State Vehicle and Traffic Laws. Troopers initiated a stop and interviewed the operator and two other passengers. The operator, an 18-year-old male, was subsequently arrested and charged with Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated. The 18-year-old suspect was transported to State Police Highland for processing, where he recorded a BAC of .21%. The suspect was released to a sober third party with an appearance ticket to the Town of Lloyd Court on March 20, 2025, at 3 p.m.
On March 3, 2025, at approximately 10:13 p.m., troopers from State Police Kingston observed a 2015 Honda on Greenkill Avenue in the City of Kingston, in violation of numerous New York State Vehicle and Traffic Laws. Troopers initiated a traffic stop and interviewed the driver, identified as Heather M. Berryann, 46, of Kingston, NY, who was determined to be impaired. Berryann was subsequently arrested for Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated. She was transported to State Police Kingston, where she recorded a BAC of .23%. Berryann was released on an appearance ticket to the City of Kingston Court on March 31, 2025, at 8:30 a.m.
Notable DWI Arrest made by the New York State Police on Troop L
On March 8, 2025, at approximately 8:05 p.m. , the New York State Police Troopers along with the Bureau of Criminal Investigations were actively investigating an unrelated incident near a stationary road closure, where the Department of Transportation (DOT) had set up barricades for safety.
During this time, a black Lincoln was observed recklessly speeding past the road closure on the Southern State Parkway Westbound East of Exit 37 (Town of Babylon), despite having only three tires. Recognizing the imminent danger, a New York State Trooper immediately initiated a pursuit to protect the public and law enforcement personnel in the area. In a shocking moment, the vehicle narrowly avoided striking an investigator from the New York State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit. Despite multiple lawful attempts to stop the driver, he refused to comply.
When the vehicle finally came to a stop, officers issued repeated commands for the driver to exit. After some delay, the driver, later identified as 31-year-old Kenneth A. Salgado of Bethpage, emerged from the vehicle and was taken into custody. Troopers quickly determined that Salgado was likely under the influence of alcohol, further compounding the reckless nature of his actions. However, he refused to submit to a breath test.
Thanks to the swift and decisive actions of the New York State Police, a potential disaster was averted. Their vigilance not only protected the safety of law enforcement personnel but also safeguarded innocent motorists and pedestrians who could have been harmed by Salgado’s reckless and impaired driving. Salgado was transported to the Suffolk County 3rd Precinct, where he was held for arraignment on March 9, 2025.
This incident serves as a powerful reminder of the dedication and courage demonstrated by the New York State Police, who work tirelessly to keep the public safe—often putting themselves at great risk to do so.
Salgado was charge with Driving While Intoxicated 1st ( Unclassified Misdemeanor), Reckless Endangerment 1st ( D Felony), Resisting Arrest (A Misdemeanor), Unlawful Feeing a Police Officer In a Motor Vehicle (A Misdemeanor), along with numerous New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law violations.
Two juveniles arrested for gun violence
On March 7, 2025, Troopers out of SP Lockport arrested two juveniles from Lockport, NY for Illegal Discharge of a Firearm, Assault 2nd degree (3 counts), Reckless Endangerment 2nd degree and Obstruction Governmental Administration 2nd degree.
On March 7, 2025, at 9:31 P.M., Troopers out of SP Lockport responded to Lockwood Drive in the town of Lockport for possible numerous shots fired. Investigation determined that a 16-year-old fired multiple 16-gauge shotgun rounds from a porch of a residence. Troopers arrested that 16-year-old and another 15-year-old. Three Troopers had minor injuries after taking the combative 15-year-old into custody.
Both juveniles were transported and processed at SP Lockport. Both juveniles were issued appearance tickets for Niagara County Family Court and turned over to an adult.
Former Greenport Building Inspector Charged
On March 7, 2025, State Police arrested Cory M. Birk, 38, of Catskill, NY, for four counts of Official Misconduct and four counts of Petit Larceny.
On May 22, 2024, State Police were notified by the town of Greenport that Birk, while he was employed as the Greenport Building Inspector and Code Enforcement Officer, was receiving cash payments from businesses for fire inspections that he failed to document. These inspections occurred between January and March of 2024.
Birk worked for the town from March of 2022 until April of 2024.
Birk was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Greenport Town Court on March 31, 2025.
Investigators are asking anyone who may have additional information about this case to contact State Police at 845-677-7300.
The State Police were assisted by the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office.
State Police investigate crash in the town of Fishkill involving police officer
On March 9, 2025, at approximately 3:45 p.m., State Police were called to Route 52 in the town of Fishkill for a report of a two-car crash involving a Fishkill Police Department patrol vehicle.
A preliminary investigation determined that a Fishkill Police Department patrol vehicle was traveling west on Route 52 with lights and sirens activated.
During the investigation, it was determined a vehicle operated by Askya R. Paulin, 20, of Beacon, along with one passenger, also traveling west, was apparently overtaking the other vehicles that were yielding to the lights and sirens. Paulin attempted to make a left turn across the westbound lane to the eastbound lane and was struck in the driver’s side by the patrol vehicle.
Paulin was issued tickets for vehicle and traffic violations
All three individuals received minor injuries.
UPDATE: State Police Seeks Public’s Assistance in Identifying Robbery Suspect
The New York State Police, in coordination with the Syracuse Police Department (SPD) and the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO), have arrested a suspect in connection with a recent robbery investigation.
On March 11, 2025, Daniel J. Becker, age 42, of Syracuse, was taken into custody by the Syracuse Police Department for a separate incident. Subsequent investigative efforts by Syracuse Police Department, Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, and the New York State Police led to Becker being identified as the suspect in a robbery case investigated by the State Police on March 9, 2025.
As a result, Becker was charged by the New York State Police with the following offenses:
- Robbery 1st Degree (class “B” felony)
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd Degree (class “D” felony)
Becker was remanded to the Onondaga County Justice Center, where he is being held pending arraignment.
Additional charges related to similar incidents have been filed against Becker by the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office and the Syracuse Police Department.
Salina, NY – The New York State Police and the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect involved in two separate robberies at the Cricket Wireless store located at 1826 Teall Avenue in the Town of Salina.
In both incidents, a lone suspect entered the store, displayed a box cutter, demanded cash, and fled on foot.
Anyone with information regarding the identity of the suspect or details about the incidents is urged to contact:
• Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office – Detective Kogut at (315) 435-3044
• New York State Police – Investigator Wood at (315) 366-6000
State Police arrest Saratoga man for possessing Child Pornography
On March 7, 2025, State Police of Saratoga, 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 Benjamin H. Phillips, 26, of Saratoga, 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.
Phillips 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 Saratoga, NY, residence on March 7, 2025. The investigation stemmed from a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
Phillips was transported to SP Saratoga, where he was arrested and processed. He was then arraigned at the Saratoga Town Court, where he was remanded to the Saratoga County Correctional Facility in lieu of $2,500 cash, $5,000 bond, or a $50,000 partially secured bond.
Domestic in the town of Schuyler Falls leads to arrest
On March 10, 2025, members of the State Police arrested Karla A. Houk, age 51, from Morrisonville, NY, for third-degree criminal mischief.
On March 10, 2025, at approximately 12:36 p.m., the State Police were informed of a domestic dispute that had occurred on March 9, 2025, at a residence on Willow Way Road in Morrisonville. The investigation revealed that during a verbal argument, Houk became upset and damaged the victim’s iPad.
Houk was arrested and processed at SP Plattsburgh. She was subsequently arraigned in the Town of Plattsburgh Court and released on her own recognizance.
Arrest Made in Public Lewdness Incident at Wayne Behavioral Health
The New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation at SP Lyons has made an arrest in connection with a reported forcible touching and public lewdness incident that occurred on February 10, 2025, and February 11, 2025, at the Wayne Behavioral Health, located at 1519 Nye Road in the Town of Lyons.
Following an investigation, David A. Snyder, age 24, of Lyons, NY, was identified as the suspect. On February 10, 2025, a victim reported that while waiting in the vestibule of the facility was inappropriately touched by an unknown male, who also attempted to force the victim’s hand towards his pelvic region. An additional victim, under the age of 17, reported that an unknown male performed a lewd act while in the main entrance lobby in front of the victim.
On February 11, 2025, another victim reported an unknown male forcing the victim to perform oral sex on him.
As a result of the investigation, Snyder was charged with the following:
- Endangering the Welfare of a Child (A Misdemeanor)
- Forcible Touching (A Misdemeanor)
- Public Lewdness- Intentionally Expose One’s Private Parts in Public (B Misdemeanor)- two counts
- Harassment 2nd (Violation)
On March 5, 2025, Snyder was taken into custody by members of the New York State Police, processed at SP Lyons, and returned to the Wayne County Jail pending arraignment at Centralized Arraignment Court (CAP).
