Category Archives: Blotter

Police/Fire/Rescue/Courts Blotter

Former substitute, coach sentenced to 6 months for sex crime

by DIANE VALDEN

Convicted sex offender Christopher MacArthur (l) and his attorney Michael Howard appeared in Columbia County Court August 12 for sentencing. Photo by Lance Wheeler

HUDSON—Christopher MacArthur, 24, of Claverack was sentenced to spend six months in the Columbia County Jail and 10 years probation for his conviction of third degree criminal sexual act, August 12. Columbia County Judge Richard Koweek issued an order of protection on behalf of the victim for 18 years, the maximum time period allowed, and said he must register as a sex offender.

Mr. MacArthur, a former substitute teacher and varsity volleyball coach at Taconic Hills Central School, was involved in a sexual relationship with a person less than 17 years old for several months and committed the crime in Claverack.

Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Senior Investigator Mark Dunspaugh handled the case and made the arrest. Assistant District Attorney Krista Kline prosecuted. Read more…

Sheriff: Man arrested for sex crimes that allegedly happened in 2008

by DIANE VALDEN

GHENT—Columbia County Sheriff’s deputies charged a Clifton Park man with sex crimes dating back 11 years.

On June 4, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit began an investigation into a reported sexual offense that occurred in Ghent in 2008. The victim, who was less than 11-years-old at the time of the incident, reported the abuse to Deputy Ryen Boehme.

The investigation resulted in the arrest of Michael Bradford, 58, of Clifton Park on one count of first degree criminal sexual act, a class B felony, and one count of first degree sexual abuse, a class D felony, July 25 at 11:11 p.m., according to a press release from Sheriff David P. Bartlett. Read more…

ATV crash claims life of Kinderhook man

by DIANE VALDEN

CHATHAM—State Police from the New Lebanon barracks investigated a fatal motor vehicle crash on 433 Bushnell Road in the Town of Chatham, July 27.

At 7:50 p.m., troopers were dispatched to Bushnell Road for an all-terrain-vehicle crash. An initial investigation shows Brandon S. Pitcher, 27, of Kinderhook was operating an ATV on Bushnell Road, when he failed to negotiate a turn.

Mr. Pitcher struck a tree, and was not wearing a helmet. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Read more…

Ancram man charged with kidnapping, arson, other crimes

by DIANE VALDEN

An arson barn fire in progress at 93 County Route 3, Ancramdale in the early morning hours of July 23. Photo courtesy of Ancram Fire Chief David Boice

ANCRAMDALE—State Police from the Livingston barracks arrested a local man for a string of felony crimes all of which took place overnight July 22 to 23.

Henry C. Harasymczuk, 56, of Ancram was charged with second degree kidnapping, a class B felony; second degree burglary and third degree arson, both class C felonies.

Columbia County 911 dispatched troopers to the area of Woods Drive in the Ancramdale hamlet for a report of a man attempting to burn down structures, July 23 at 12:05 a.m. Troopers first located the caller, who reported that Mr. Harasymczuk had allegedly illegally forced entry into the victim’s home, and forced the victim to provide motorized transport to the first fire scene.

The victim was able to drive away, and call for help while Mr. Harasymczuk allegedly set fire to a camper. The fire was located and extinguished by troopers using fire extinguishers. Read more…

Hillsdale man faces charges for kidnapping, deadly force threats

by DIANE VALDEN

HILLSDALE—State Police from the Livingston barracks arrested Thomas P. Golden, 35, of Craryville for second degree kidnapping, a class B felony, and criminal obstruction of breathing, a class A misdemeanor, July 9.

Troopers responded to a domestic dispute on Whippoorwill Road in Hillsdale, July 8 at 9:30 p.m.

A subsequent investigation determined that Mr. Golden allegedly used physical force, and threatened the use of deadly force, to abduct the victim. Mr. Golden and the victim were familiar with one another, police said. Read more…