KINDERHOOK—A Kinderhook man was charged in connection with an November armed robbery at the Xtra Mart convenience store on State Route 9, according to a press release from Columbia County Sheriff David Harrison, Jr.
At 12:17 a.m. November 23, a man entered the Xtra Mart, displayed what appeared to be a hand gun and demanded money from the cash register. The store clerk and another store employee were the only ones in the store at the time and they were not injured during the incident. The suspect left the store with an undisclosed amount of cash.
After a three-week long investigation, Sheriff’s Investigators Mark Dunspaugh and Patrick Logue arrested Frank E. Speed, III, 20, on charges of second degree robbery, a class C felony, and petit larceny, a class A misdemeanor, December 12 at 1:15 p.m.
Mr. Speed admitted to his involvement in the armed robbery, the sheriff said.
The vehicle Mr. Speed used during the armed robbery was located and seized by Sheriff’s investigators as evidence. They will also be focus their efforts on securing the handgun used in the robbery. The investigation continues and further charges and arrests are possible.
Mr. Speed was arraigned in Kinderhook Town Court before Justice Lisa Mills and was sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash bail or $10,000 bail bond. He is due back in court at a later date.Sheriff Harrison praised the work of deputies, evidence technicians and criminal investigators from his office, who have been working non-stop during a busy November and early December. Assisting in the investigation was Columbia County Assistant District Attorney David Costanzo.
Claverack
Azan Henry, 59, of Claverack was charged with second degree assault, criminal obstruction of breathing, second degree menacing, third degree criminal possession of a weapon, first degree unlawful imprisonment, fourth degree criminal mischief and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child by Trooper B. Keeler, November 18.
Mr. Henry allegedly punched and choked a woman, threatened her with a knife, held her against her will, prevented her for calling for help all while two children were in the house. He was arraigned in Claverack Court and was sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $35,000 cash bail.
Bells Pond
Hillary Smith, 26, of Livingston was charged with third degree menacing by Trooper B. Keeler, November 17.
Ms. Smith allegedly struck an employee of the Bells Pond Mobil several times. She was released on an appearance ticket returnable in Livingston Town Court.
Greenport
State Police at Livingston stopped a car on Fairview Avenue because the vehicle operator was talking on his cell while driving, November 27.
Police determined that the driver did not have a license. When two passengers had their names checked for licenses, the front seat passenger gave a false name. The rear seat passenger told police he had no license. Troopers then searched the car and found a crack pipe, which the rear seat passenger, James Jennings, 24, of Claverack claimed was his.
Mr. Jennings then fled on foot.
When troopers caught-up with Mr. Jennings, they found him to allegedly possess heroin and to be wanted by the state Division of Parole.
He was charged with two counts of seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and resisting arrest.
The front seat passenger’s name was eventually determined to be Roshaun Ashley, 18, of Hudson. He was charged with false personation and seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance after a quantity of crack cocaine was allegedly found on his person. The driver was issued summons for driving without a license and released at the scene.
Mr. Jennings and Mr. Ashley were arraigned in Greenport Court. Mr. Jennings was sent to jail in lieu of $5,000 bail and Mr. Ashley was jailed in lieu of $500 bail.
To contact Diane Valden email .