State Police Arrest Nicholas Cassillo After 10-Hour Standoff in Cairo, NY
On March 21, 2025, at approximately 3:18 p.m., members of the New York State Police from the Catskill and Coxsackie barracks responded to a residence on Blackhead Mountain Road in the town of Cairo following a report of a suicidal male. Upon arrival, troopers made contact with Nicholas Cassillo, age 42, of Round Top, NY. Cassillo was uncooperative and combative during the interaction. At one point, he menaced officers with a large knife and a metal object, causing damage to a trooper’s vehicle before retreating into his residence.
Crisis negotiators from the Troop F Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) engaged in dialogue with Cassillo for approximately 10 hours. After prolonged negotiations, Cassillo voluntarily exited the residence and was taken into custody.
Cassillo was arrested and charged with two counts of Menacing a Police Officer (D Felony), two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 3rd Degree (D Felony), and one count of Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree (D Felony). He was arraigned in the Town of Cairo Court and remanded to the Greene County Jail.
Assisting at the scene were the New York State Police Special Operations Response Team (SORT), the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, and the New York State Forest Rangers.
State Police Investigating Fatal Collision in the Town of Mamakating
On March 22, 2025, at approximately 5:19 p.m., Troopers and Investigators from State Police Wurtsboro responded to a two-car motor vehicle collision near Exit 113 on State Route 17 Eastbound in the town of Mamakating.
The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2019 Mercedes Sprinter Van was traveling westbound on State Route 17. A 2021 Hyundai was traveling eastbound on the same route. The operator and sole occupant of the 2019 Mercedes Sprinter Van, identified as Robert Cromer, age 62, of Liberty, NY, exited the roadway off the south shoulder, subsequently crossing over the center median. The vehicle then entered the eastbound lane, traveling the wrong way, and struck the 2021 Hyundai, head on. Both vehicles subsequently struck the southern guiderail before coming to a stop.
The operator of the 2021 Hyundai, identified as Jose A. Santiago Jr., age 65, of Washingtonville, NY, succumbed to his injuries on the scene and was pronounced deceased. The passenger of the Hyundai, identified as Blanca I. Santiago, age 64, of Washingtonville, was transported by ambulance to Garnet Medical Center Middletown where she remains in stable condition. Cromer sustained minor injuries, was evaluated at the scene and released.
This investigation remains ongoing. Anyone who observed the accident is asked to call SP Wurtsboro BCI at 845-888-2681.
Two individuals arrested for grand larceny 4th
On March 22, 2025, members of the State Police arrested John Perra, age 56, and Sarah Pasquariello-Perra, age 43, both residents of Plattsburgh, NY, for grand larceny in the fourth degree.
On November 22, 2024, at approximately 12:48 p.m., troopers responded to a larceny complaint at Walmart, located on Consumer Square in Plattsburgh. Their investigation revealed that John and Sarah Perra had stolen merchandise valued at $1,010.16, passing all points of purchase.
John and Sarah were arrested and processed at SP Plattsburgh. They were released on appearance tickets returnable to the Town of Plattsburgh Court for a later date in April.
Fort Covington male arrested for menacing 2nd and CPW 4th
On March 21, 2025, members of the State Police arrested 19-year-old Michael L. McDonald from Fort Covington, NY, on charges of second-degree menacing and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
The incident occurred on March 20, 2025, around 12:00 p.m. at Rainbow Park in Fort Covington. At approximately 2:00 p.m. on March 21, State Police were informed about the situation. Their investigation revealed that McDonald was trying to engage with a child, but the child’s parents did not want him to play with their child. This led to a verbal altercation between McDonald and the victim. During the argument, McDonald reportedly drew a gun from his waistband and pointed it toward the victim while making threatening remarks. He then left the area, and fortunately, no one was harmed during the encounter.
Further investigation determined that McDonald had a BB gun during the altercation. He was arrested and processed at SP Malone and later released on an appearance ticket to be arraigned in the Town of Fort Covington Court in April.
Two individuals arrested stemming a traffic stop in the town of Louisville
On March 21, 2025, State Police members arrested Jeffrey L. Gilbo, age 60, of Potsdam, NY, and Julia L. Larock, age 60, of Winthrop, NY, for criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th.
On March 21, 2025, at approximately 9:46 p.m., Troopers observed a 2013 Chevrolet traveling south on State Highway 37B in the town of Louisville, violating a vehicle and traffic law. Troopers initiated a vehicle and traffic stop and identified the driver as Gilbo and the passenger as Larock. An investigation determined Gilbo and Larock were in possession of drug paraphernalia and narcotics.
They were arrested and transported to SP Massena for processing. Both were released on appearance tickets returnable to the Town of Louisville Court for a later date in April.
Pennsylvania Man Arrested after Stealing Vehicle, Fleeing from Police
On March 22, 2025, State Police from Brewster arrested Alaji Ahmad-Alwan, 22, of Philadelphia, PA, for grand larceny in the 3rd degree (Class D felony), criminal possession of stolen property in the 4th degree (Class E felony), and unlawful fleeing of a police officer in the 3rd degree (Class A misdemeanor).
On March 22, 2025, Brewster patrols received a report of a stolen vehicle, a 2018 Honda CRV, from a parking lot at a business in Brewster, NY. The investigation determined that Alwan had taken the vehicle from the local business and fled the scene.
Troopers later located the vehicle on Route 22 in Dover at approximately 10:50 p.m. and attempted a traffic stop. The driver failed to comply, and a pursuit was initiated. Troopers successfully deployed a tire-deflation device to disable the vehicle on Route 22 in the town of Patterson.
Alwan was arraigned before the town of Patterson Court and released. He is scheduled to reappear on April 9, 2025.
