PHILMONT—The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) arrested Jayden T. Lockenwitz, 18, of Main Street, Philmont for second degree attempted murder in connection with a shooting that occurred in the village February 18, according to a press release from Columbia County Sheriff Donald J. Krapf.

On that date at 4:21 p.m. the Village of Philmont Police Department received a 911 poll for a report of shots fired in the area of 7 Church Street in the village. Sheriff’s Office patrols responded to assist and upon their arrival the call was turned over to them. Sheriff’s Office investigators and evidence technicians were called to process the scene and continue the investigation. Evidence was collected at the scene.

During the course of the investigation it was determined that just before the 911 call, a male subject identified as Jayden Lockenwitz, confronted a male subject who was outside of an apartment at 7 Church Street. A verbal altercation occurred between the two men and during the course of the argument Mr. Lockenwitz allegedly fired multiple shots from a handgun at the victim. At the time of the shooting there were several other people in the immediate area. No individuals were struck by the gunfire but rounds did strike the residence and Mr. Lockenwitz allegedly fled the scene prior to the patrols’ arrival.

An arrest warrant was issued in Philmont Justice Court for Mr. Lockenwitz and an intense search was conducted by members of the Sheriff’s Office, the State Police and Philmont Police. On the evening of February 19 it was determined through the investigation that Mr. Lockenwitz was in a vehicle along with two other male occupants traveling on Gahbauer Road in Claverack. At 7:59 p.m. a traffic stop was initiated on the vehicle by members of the Sheriff’s Office. During the course of the stop a male passenger in the vehicle, later identified as Kyjuan W. Hotaling, discarded an object out the window which was later recovered by the Sheriff’s Office. The object was determined to be narcotics consisting of about 53 grams of crack cocaine and powdered cocaine with a street value of about $4,200. Both Mr. Lockenwitz and Mr. Hotaling were taken into custody without incident. At the time of the arrest, Mr. Lockenwitz was found to have a loaded 9mm handgun in his possession. Mr. Hotaling was found to be in possession of about $1,700 cash along with drug paraphernalia.

The Sheriff’s Office obtained a search warrant signed by County Judge Richard M. Koweek for 104 Main Street in the Village. The warrant was executed without incident later Sunday night.

In addition to attempted second degree murder, a class A felony, Mr. Lockenwitz was charged with one count of criminal use of a firearm, a class B felony; five counts of first degree reckless endangerment, a class D felony and one count endangering the welfare of a child, a class A misdemeanor.

Mr. Hotaling, 19, was charged with two counts of third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class B felony, and one count of tampering with physical evidence, a class E felony. Both subjects were arraigned before Justice Carla Ingersol in Philmont Court. Mr. Lockenwitz was sent to the Columbia County Jail without bail and Mr. Hotaling was released on his own recognizance. Both are scheduled to return at a later court date.

Sheriff Krapf extends his gratitude to the State Police Livingston Barracks, VGNET (Violent Gangs Narcotic Enforcement Team) and CSU (Community Stabilization Unit), Columbia County District Attorney Paul Czajka’s Office and Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Ryan Carty and Philmont Police for their assistance with this case.

Investigating for the Sheriff’s Office were members of the Criminal Investigative Division, the Drug Enforcement Unit, and the Law Enforcement Division.

In the press release Sheriff Krapf said, “The men and women of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office are dedicated and committed to protecting our community. When incidents like this happen, rest assured we will work both day and night and in collaboration with any and all public safety offices to hold the perpetrators accountable for their actions. In this particular incident, the actions of this young man showed no regard whatsoever for the safety and well-being of the public. These heinous crimes will not be tolerated!”

The investigation is continuing and further arrests are possible. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigative Branch at 518-828-4316 or the Sheriff’s Office Confidential Crime Tip Line at 518-828-8477.

Earlton

A Hudson man was arrested following an assault on a trooper.

On February 14 at 8:24 a.m., troopers from the Catskill barracks responded to Harold C. Meyer Road in Earlton for a 911 call about a subject attempting to hit someone with a hammer. A preliminary investigation revealed that Frank Baglieri, 41, of Hudson allegedly attempted to hit a co-worker with a hammer. Mr. Baglieri left the area as law enforcement arrived. The responding trooper stopped the vehicle about half a mile away and identified the operator as Mr. Baglieri. While being interviewed by the trooper, Mr. Baglieri allegedly became combative and attacked the trooper. During the altercation, he attempted to strangle the trooper and take his gun from the holster. The trooper eventually took Mr. Baglieri into custody with the help of a passing motorist. The trooper searched the vehicle and located the claw hammer that was identified as the hammer that was used in the previously attempted assault.

Mr. Baglieri was charged with third degree criminal possession of a weapon, second degree robbery, second degree assault, second degree menacing, criminal obstruction of breathing, resisting arrest, obstruction of governmental administration, and driving while impaired by drugs (DWAI). He was arraigned in Cairo Court in front of Justice Tanja Sirago and sent to the Greene County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bail or $100,000 secured bond with a return date of February 28.

The trooper was treated for minor injuries at Albany Medical Center.

Hudson

On Thursday, February 16 at 6:30 p.m. the Hudson City Police Department received several third-party reports that a student at the Hudson High School stated he was going to “shoot up the school tomorrow.” This statement has not been confirmed. Out of an abundance of caution officers took extraordinary measures to ensure the overall safety of community and our students.

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is the lead agency investigating this report with the full assistance of HPD.

The student who allegedly made the threat was removed from school and was not allowed to return the next day.

An active investigation is underway and HPD will update information as it becomes available.

“Students and parents should be aware that we are treating this situation very seriously. Our Department and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Department have dedicated considerable resources in order to ensure everyone’s safety,” Hudson Police Chief L. Edward Moore said in a press release.

Greenport

February 10 at 11:42 p.m., the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office received a phone call from a person reporting an assault had occurred at the Joslen Commons apartments, 540 Joslen Boulevard in Greenport, according to a press release from Columbia County Sheriff Donald Krapf.

At about the same time of the call reporting the assault, Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched by Columbia County 911 to Jolsen Commons apartments for a report of an unknown male subject who was forcing his way into an apartment. The 911 call was for an apartment that was separate from the apartment of the reported assault.

Deputies Peter Merante and Michael Pozzi were assigned to the call and were able to quickly locate and detain the individual that was suspected of breaking into the apartment. While investigating the reported burglary it was discovered that the suspect had removed an item from the apartment.

The suspect detained by deputies, and later arrested, was Dudley Box, 25, of Greenport.

Prior to breaking into the apartment, Mr. Box is suspected of assaulting a vulnerable adult who he was employed to care for.

The victim of the assault was treated at the scene by the Greenport Rescue Squad and transported to Columbia Memorial Health for the care of minor injuries.

Mr. Box was arrested for second degree burglary (class C felony), endangering the welfare of a incompetent/physically disabled person (class E felony), and for the class A misdemeanors of third degree assault, criminal mischief and petit larceny.

Mr. Box was arraigned by Claverack Justice Michael Brandon and sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond. Mr. Box is set to return to Greenport Court at a later date.

To contact Diane Valden email

Greenport man charged with animal cruelty

By DIANE VALDEN

GREENPORT—Curtis Rist, 63, of Greenport was arrested February 20 on two counts of animal cruelty, according to a press release from the Columbia-Greene Humane Society. Greenport Police received a complaint from an individual who saw multiple dogs in a yard in “terrible condition.” The report claimed that the dogs’ coats were so matted that they could barely move. Greenport Police responded to the call and found five dogs, all in deplorable condition. The police contacted the Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA (CGHS/SPCA) for assistance. After discussions with Greenport Police and Humane Society officials, Mr. Rist agreed to surrender the five dogs to the shelter.

Upon their arrival, the five mini Goldendoodles were examined by shelter staff and a veterinarian. Two of the five dogs were in a condition that needed immediate attention. One dog, a five-year-old named “Wally,” was so matted that it was described as an “exoskeleton.” It took a veterinarian and two veterinary technicians two hours to peel the matted shell off Wally. He was anesthetized during the shaving procedure due to the pain he would have had to endure.

All five dogs, ranging in age from 4 to 10 years, are expected to make a full recovery and will be placed up for adoption. For more information contact the CGHS/SPCA at 518-828-6044 or . Interested potential homes can visit the shelter’s website at cghs.org to fill out an application to be pre-approved for adoptions.