HILLSDALE—A missing 77-year-old Copake man was found dead in the woods by Sheriff’s deputies in the early morning hours of March 1.
Thursday, February 28 at 9:15 p.m., deputies received a report that Roger W. Moody of Snyder Pond Road was missing, according to a press release from Columbia County Sheriff David Harrison, Jr.
Mr. Moody’s son, Mark, who lives in New York City, notified deputies after he was contacted by his father’s friends who told him that his father had not attended a dinner party the night before at a home in Hillsdale.
Deputies determined that Mr. Moody and his vehicle were not at his residence in Copake. They began an investigation by going to nearby residences, interviewing friends and associates and entering Mr. Moody’s personal information and the description of his vehicle in the statewide law enforcement network as a possible missing person.
At about midnight, information was received that vehicle lights had been seen the night of the dinner party at a residence in the same area in Hillsdale. The residence is a part-time home and was not occupied the evening of the dinner party.
Deputies went to the residence and found Mr. Moody’s vehicle which had driven off the driveway and appeared to have been stuck. Mr. Moody was not with his vehicle. A search of the wooded area around the residence by several deputies including Deputy Heath Benansky and his K-9 partner Apollo, turned up Mr. Moody’s body at about 2:03 a.m.
Also on the scene were Deputies Bernard Roberts, Thomas Bagnall, Kelly Briscoe, Captain David Bartlett, Investigator Anthony Brahm and Coroner Roberta Davis.
Mr. Moody’s death does not appear to be suspicious, according to the sheriff. Investigators believe that Mr. Moody may have driven to the wrong residence on his way to the dinner party and got stuck in the driveway. He then got out of his vehicle and became disoriented when walking in the nearby wooded area. Not wearing a jacket or boots, it appears that Mr. Woody experienced a medical problem.
The cause of Mr. Moody’s death will be determined after review by Coroner Davis and Forensic Pathologist Dr. Jeffrey Hubbard, according to the release.
Apple orchard barn burned
A Kinderhook apple farmer lost his barn and some out-buildings to a fire Sunday, March 3 at 9:08 a.m. The fire involved the main barn at the Altobelli Farm, 1202 Old Post Road. Seven volunteer fire companies from Kinderhook, Valatie, Niverville, Chatham, Ghent, Greenport and South Schodack were on the scene of the stubborn blaze. Mutual aid ambulances in addition to the Valatie Rescue Squad were from the Chatham and Greenport rescue squads. One firefighter was injured and taken by Valatie to Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson. Fire officials called for the Columbia County Hazmat Team as a precaution because the barn housed farm equipment tools and fertilizer. The barn was a complete loss. Units were back in service at 3:57 p.m.
Trooper reports smoke
An alert state trooper on patrol, spotted thick black smoke coming from a two-story, wood-framed house at 750 Route 9H in Claverack, Sunday, March 3 at 3:31 p.m. Fast action by volunteer firefighters kept flames from spreading into the center of the house. The homeowner was not at home. On the scene were firefighters from West Ghent,
Claverack, Stottville, Mellenville, Stockport and Ghent. The Columbia County Cause and Origin Team was called to the scene. Units were clear from the scene at 6:48 p.m.
Gallatin
Troopers from Livingston were dispatched by County Control to a reported vehicle off State Route 82, February 25 at 10:35 p.m.
Responding troopers found a damaged pickup truck which had driven into a ditch. The operator, Kevin A. Hanson, 57, of Stamford, CT, was not injured. Troopers detected an odor of alcohol and administered sobriety tests which Mr. Hanson could not perform. He refused to take a breath test at the barracks and was charged with driving while intoxicated and failure to use designated lane. He was arraigned in Claverack Court and sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $500 cash bail or $1,000 bond to reappear in Gallatin Court at a later date.
Police verify sex offender addresses
HUDSON—City Police completed a sex offender address verification detail within the city, February 27, according to a press release.
The detail was conducted by detectives with assistance from patrol officers. Each address was physically checked and personal verification was made with each resident. Updated photographs were also secured.
All listed sex offenders using the City of Hudson as a physical address have been verified. A total of 26 individuals were initially listed as residents. At the completion of the investigation, 5 individuals were found not to be residing within the city; 4 of the 5 completed change of address forms, which were forwarded to the New York State Sex Offender Registry. One subject was found to be in custody outside the state. As of the date of the detail 21 sex offenders reside within the city.
These types of details are conducted periodically throughout the year. As a result of this investigation, no criminal charges were warranted. Hudson Police also work closely with the Columbia and Greene county Sheriff’s Offices as well as local law enforcement agencies to ensure that the sex offenders are in compliance with New York State laws.
It is recommended that concerned persons and those organizations that may be vulnerable entities check the information contained on the state Criminal Justice Services website at
www.criminaljustice.state.ny.uss or by telephone 900 288-3838. There is a fee for the call and the caller must be 18 years of age. Anyone can search the website, which contains the most up-to-date information and photos allowed by law. A countywide search can be done, or a search that is more narrowed in area. When requested, the Hudson Police will assist in making community notifications.
Anyone with information about any criminal matter or quality of life concern should contact Hudson Police at 518 828-3388 or the detective unit and tips line at 518 828-9900.
