GREENPORT—State Police from the Livingston barracks arrested sisters Cassandra L. Lester, 22, and Karlie L. Lester, 21, both of Livingston in connection with a strong-arm robbery that occurred outside the First Niagara Bank at 160 Fairview Avenue, the afternoon of Tuesday, August 13.
At about 3:22 p.m., State Police responded to a Columbia County 911 poll for an officer to assist an elderly woman who reported that her purse had just been forcibly stolen as she walked toward the entrance of the bank.
The victim told police that while she was walking to the entrance of the bank she was approached by a young woman who attempted to grab her handbag. After a brief struggle, the victim lost her grip on her purse and the suspect fled the area with it.
An eye witness to the crime was able to provide a description of the suspects involved and their vehicle, including a partial license plate number.
All of the information obtained was turned over to Columbia County 911 dispatchers and an advisory was issued for all police units in the area to be on the lookout for the vehicle that was just used in the commission of a crime.
Moments after Columbia County 911 issued the advisory, a vehicle matching the description was seen traveling on State Route 66 in Greenport, where State Police were conducting a Distracted Driving road check.
An unmarked spotter vehicle advised the troopers participating in the detail to initiate a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle that was approaching their location. While interviewing the occupants of the vehicle, it was discovered that the driver and her passenger were in possession of all of the victim’s personal effects as well as her purse.
The Lester sisters were both charged with third degree robbery, a class D felony, and endangering the welfare of a child, a class A misdemeanor, when it was discovered that they had a two-year-old child in the vehicle during the commission of the crime. Cassandra Lester was additionally charged with criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument, a class A misdemeanor.
Both suspects were scheduled to be arraigned in Greenport Justice Court later that evening.
An update from State Police was not issued before press time Wednesday.
Any additional witnesses to this crime are asked to contact the Livingston State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation at 518 851-2982.
Ghent
Thomas Cesternino, 21, of Ghent was charged with one count of first degree criminal sex act, a class B felony by State Police at Livingston, Saturday, August 10.
After a lengthy investigation by the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations with the assistance of the Columbia-Greene Child Advocacy Center and the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office, it was revealed that Mr. Cesternino had allegedly sexually molested a child under the age of 11 years old.
He was arraigned in Livingston Court before Justice Robert Q. Moore and sent to the Columbia County Jail without bail.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding this case or Mr. Cesternino is asked to contact the BCI at 518 851-2001.
Hudson
Di Quann S. Powell, 17, of Hudson was taken into custody on Arch Street, Albany by Albany Police on their warrants, was arraigned there and subsequently turned over to Hudson Police Officer Dean Rowe at the Warren Street police station, July 22 at 11:10 a.m.
Mr. Powell was charged on an arrest warrant for second degree criminal possession of a weapon, second degree criminal use of a firearm (possessing a weapon) and a bench warrant for fourth degree criminal mischief and two counts of disorderly conduct.
Mr. Powell allegedly fired a handgun into a crowd of people in the area of Second and State streets, May 6. Arraigned before Judge John Connor in City Court, he was sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash bail or $25,000 bail bond to return to court July 23. He was subsequently sent back to jail; his bail continued at the same amount and ordered to reappear August 20.
*Bernardo E. Centeno, 60, of Hudson was charged with second degree burglary (illegal night entry with criminal intent) and petit larceny by Hudson Police Officer Jeffrey Keyser at 46 Fairview Avenue, July 22 at 4:39 p.m.
The defendant was arrested on an active Hudson City Court warrant. He allegedly entered and remained unlawfully in the victim’s apartment and stole property while there.
Mr. Centeno was arraigned in City Court before Judge John Connor and released on his own recognizance to return to court at a later date.
*Jamie L. Shook, 30, of Hudson was charged with third degree criminal mischief at the police station by Hudson Police Officer Brent Rowe, July 17 at 4:01 p.m.
Ms. Shook was arrested on an active warrant for allegedly striking a vehicle’s windshield with her fist breaking the glass. She was released on an appearance ticket.
Livingston
Bruce Feller, 54, of Livingston was charged with second degree burglary, second degree criminal tampering and theft of services by State Police at Livingston, July 24.
Troopers responded to a 911 call made by Mr. Feller who reported to County 911 that he was engaged in an argument with his neighbors, July 24.
An investigation by State Police traced the 911 call made by Mr. Feller back to his neighbors’ phone line. Mr. Feller allegedly had broken into the neighbors’ apartment and stolen items.
During an interview, the neighbors reported to troopers having discovered that Mr. Feller had also allegedly tampered with the phone lines on the residence and was stealing their phone service.
Mr. Feller was arraigned in Livingston Court and was sent to the Columbia County Jail.
Claverack
Sheriff’s deputies charged two Hudson men in connection with two break-ins at motor vehicle repair shops.
Deputies Peter Grzeskow and Jason Garvey were dispatched by Columbia County 911 for a reported larceny in progress at Costa’s Garage, 790 Gahbauer Road, Mellenville, July 19 at 2:10 a.m. While enroute to the call deputies saw a vehicle that fit the description of the suspect vehicle. During a traffic stop, deputies determined that the men inside the vehicle were the two suspects that were allegedly at the garage.
Seymour Shackelton, 50, of 41 North Second Street, who was driving, was charged with fifth degree criminal possession of stolen property, petit larceny, third degree criminal trespass and several vehicle and traffic violations. He was arraigned in Claverack Court before Justice Michael Brandon and sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $1,000 cash bail or $2,500 bond to return to court at a later date.
Passenger Chancey Mowris, 35, of 510 Columbia Street was charged with petit larceny and third degree criminal trespass. He was issued appearance tickets returnable in Claverack Court.
A subsequent related investigation, conducted by Deputy David Proper and Investigators Patrick Logue and Mark Dunspaugh, revealed that Mr. Shackelton and Mr. Mowris had also allegedly broken into a body shop on State Route 22 in Hillsdale. Hudson Police arrested Mr. Mowris and turned him over to Deputy Proper, who charged him with fourth degree criminal possession of stolen property. Mr. Mowris was arraigned in Claverack Court before Justice Brandon and sent to the county jail in lieu of $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 bond and ordered to reappear at a later date.
New Lebanon
Peter J. Sayers, 53, of New Lebanon was charged with fifth degree criminal possession of stolen property by State Police from New Lebanon, Saturday, July 27.
Troopers received a 911 call reporting an erratic pickup truck traveling west on Route 20.
Troopers found the vehicle in the Stewarts parking lot and while interviewing the operator, they saw a large amount of metal in the bed of the pickup truck.
Further investigation revealed that Mr. Sayers stole the metal from a railroad property in Pittsfield, MA. He was issued an appearance ticket returnable to New Lebanon Court at a later date.
Greenport
Edwin Mowris, age and address unavailable, was charged with resisting arrest by Deputies Kris Bauhoff and Patrick Mayo, July 17 at 9:18 a.m.
The deputies were serving a family court warrant on Mr. Mowris in Greenport and while they were taking him into custody, he allegedly became aggressive towards them.
Mr. Mowris was arraigned before Justice Robert Brenzel in Greenport Court and was sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 bail bond to return to court at a later date.
Canaan
A 13-year-old resident of the Berkshire Farm Center was charged with third degree criminal mischief, a felony, by State Police from New Lebanon, August 1 at 3:31 p.m.
Troopers were at the Berkshire Union Free School District investigating an unrelated call. As they were departing the facility, they saw a subject throw several handfuls of rocks at a Berkshire School staff member’s personal vehicle, causing a nickel-sized puncture hole on the rear of the vehicle’s trunk. The dollar amount of the property damage exceeded $250. The juvenile was issued a ticket ordering him to appear before the Columbia County Family Court August 15.
Drugs/alcohol
The following face drug- and/or alcohol-related charges:
*Katelyn Miller, 21, of Germantown was charged with driving while intoxicated by State Police after a motor vehicle crash in Clermont, June 28. Troopers investigated a one-car crash on State Route 9. Their investigation revealed that Ms. Miller was operating her motor vehicle in an intoxicated condition and failed to use her designated lane. She provided a breath sample with a .14% blood alcohol concentration, She was issued tickets returnable in Clermont Court at a later date.
*Jeffery Hamm, age unavailable, of Greenport was charged with driving while intoxicated, third degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and several vehicle and traffic violations by Deputies Peter Grzeskow and Jason Garvey, July 14 at 11:23 p.m. Deputies were on patrol in Stockport when they noticed a vehicle without any license plates. They stopped the vehicle being driven by Mr. Hamm. He was issued appearance tickets returnable in Stockport Court.
*Kenneth M. Ducharme, 17, of New Lebanon was charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs and criminal possession of marijuana by State Police from New Lebanon, July 15 at 8:54 p.m. Troopers stopped Mr. Ducharme for having a loud exhaust on Route 20, New Lebanon. He was issued tickets returnable in New Lebanon Court at a later date. On July 25, troopers again pulled Mr. Ducharme over on Route 20, this time for operating a motor vehicle without a current inspection.
They subsequently charged him with seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of marijuana, after they found him to have a Schedule III controlled substance and marijuana. He was arraigned in New Lebanon Court and released on his own recognizance. On August 4, Mr. Ducharme was again pulled over by New Lebanon troopers, this time on County Route 5A for failure to signal a turn and having no front license plate. During an interview, troopers found him to be in possession of marijuana. He was issued tickets for unlawful possession of marijuana and the vehicle and traffic violations and directed to appear in New Lebanon Court at a later date.
*Brendan M. Shank, 26, of Pittsfield, MA, was charged with driving while intoxicated by State Police from New Lebanon during a vehicle and traffic stop on Route 20, New Lebanon, July 17. Mr. Shank was pulled over for driving across hazardous markings and was found to be intoxicated. He provided a breath sample with a .11% blood alcohol content. He was issued tickets returnable in New Lebanon Court.
*Alysha Narzynski, 20, of Schodack Landing was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance outside its original container and unlawful possession of marijuana by State Police from Kinderhook, July 20 at 2:55 p.m. Troopers pulled Ms. Narzynski over on Bishop Nelson Road, Kinderhook for failure to stop for a stop sign. They discovered she was in possession of a Schedule II controlled substance outside of its original container, as well as marijuana. She was issued tickets returnable in Kinderhook Town Court.