Police Beat, Aug. 25, 2022

Editor’s note: An arrest or a charge is not a conviction. All persons listed are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Charges can be amended or dismissed.

Granville Police Department

Aug. 12

3:40 p.m. While on patrol on Madison Street, police were flagged down by a worker from the Granville Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in regard to a resident’s aggressive behavior. The resident, a 53-year-old man, denied the allegations made by the worker but agreed that he was having issues at the facility and with his treatment. The officer advised the man to speak with a counselor about a potential transfer to a different facility, and the man said the police would not have to be called again for this reported behavior.

5:48 p.m. Earlier in the week, a 40-year-old West Pawlet, Vermont man had contacted police requesting officers call him if they observed the man’s 15-year-old son on the village streets after recent conflict with Child Protective Services and the family. While on patrol of the Mettowee River Park, police observed the 15-year-old boy nearby and contacted the 40-year-old man who picked up the child at the police station.

11:30 p.m. Police received a call on the station line for reports of children placing orange traffic cones in the road and obstructing traffic. After arriving on scene police contacted three boys, one age 14 and two 15, after finding two of the boys who tried to flee on State Route 22. All the children were taken to the police station and said they rode their bicycles from Rutland, Vermont. A legal guardian to two of the boys, a woman, said the boys lied to her about where they were staying that night and that she was on her way to pick them up considering the time of night. The children were released to the woman and made plans would return at a later date to retrieve the bicycles.

Aug. 13

12:32 p.m. Police responded to reports of a disturbance and disorderly conduct on Potter Avenue between a 46-year-old East Potter Avenue woman and a 39-year-old Potter Avenue woman. The 46-year-old woman told police that youths were kicking a ball near her in the backyard, an issue she has had in the past. The 39-year-old woman told police that she left work because her five-year-old child said the 46-year-old woman was screaming at them. The 46-year-old woman said when the 39-year-old woman arrived that the 39-year-old woman threatened to beat her. The 46-year-old woman did not wish to press charges but wanted the incident documented. The responding officer advised both women to attempt to resolve the issue as adults and not with each other’s children. The officer then noted that it was apparent that communication between both women would more than likely not help with the existing issues, so the officer recommended the women getting in touch with the landlord to establish rules of where property can be placed, and that police should be contacted to assist with communication between both parties.

5:25 p.m. A 49-year-old Lincoln Street woman called police to report a water issue at her apartment and that a 30-year-old woman is still squatting at the apartment. Police arrived and observed the basement taking on water due to what appeared to be a tub drain malfunction. Police then moved on to the residence where the 30-year-old woman was reportedly squatting and observed the door to be secured by a dog leash and phone charger. After knocking multiple times without a response, the door became unsecured and opened during the knocking. Police observed the woman sitting in the room from the exterior of the door and advised the woman they were checking on her welfare as well as notifying her of the water emergency. The woman said she was fine and made sure the water was turned off.

Aug. 14

12:20 a.m. Brandee Matson, 39, of Nampa, Idaho, was ticketed for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and operation of an unregistered motor vehicle on a highway, both violations, when Matson was stopped on Mettowee Street. Police conducted a stop after observing Matson’s passenger side headlamp was not illuminated.

4:40 p.m. Police were dispatched to Veterans Memorial Park for reports of a disturbance by several youths. Police arrived and observed a girl leave once she saw police pull in. The responding officer spoke to three boys aged 12, 14 and 15. The boys said they were yelling for their friend to come over and hang out with them. Police told the boys to move it along so there were no further issues.

Aug. 17

1:28 p.m. Police received an animal complaint on Mettowee Street in regard to two raccoons stuck in a dumpster. The responding officer tipped the dumpster over so the raccoons could run into the tree line.

Aug. 18

Amber M. Pelerin, 32, of Fair Haven, Vermont, was ticketed for speeding at a rate of 46 mph in a 30 mph zone and driving to the left of pavement markings, both violations, while operating her vehicle on Pine Street. Police observed Pelerin pass a vehicle ahead of her on a double-yellow solid traffic line and speeding while doing so. Pelerin said she was running late taking her daughter to a doctor’s appointment and that she thought the speed limit was 40 mph.

Whitehall Police Department

Aug. 12

8:15 a.m. A 51-year-old man drove to the station with a 24-year-old man and 27-year-old woman following in a car behind him. The woman was yelling outside of her car as the 51-year-old was trying to get into the station. Police spoke with the 24- and 27-year-olds first and told them to come back in a few minutes. Police then spoke with the 51-year-old who stated when he left his residence in the morning he had words with the 24-year-old. He said he was a few houses south of his home and the man was in front of his own residence. As he went to get into his car, he saw the woman pulling up to the 24-year-old’s home. By the time the 51-year-old got to the traffic light at Saunders and Broadway, the woman was behind him. He then drove to the station as there was an Order of Protection in place and he did not want to get in trouble. The 51-year-old left the station and went to work. The 24- and 27-year-old came to the station and the woman was very uncooperative. She did not want to listen to what the officer was saying, and she left. The 24-year-old and the officer talked about the situation until the woman came back to get him. Everyone involved was advised to stop the back and forth with one another. The 24-year-old acknowledged trying to get the 51-year-old to do something so he could be arrested, and what he was doing was not illegal. The officer further advised the man that he should not continue to do what he was doing.

10 a.m. An officer patrolled to 5 West St. after receiving a report at the station of a 32-year-old man driving a four-wheeler in the roadway. Officer saw the four-wheeler was in the driveway of the residence and contacted the man and told him that he could not ride on the roadway. The man asked about going into the lot across the street and he stated he could push the machine across the street to get to the small lot he had permission to be on.

1 p.m. A 36-year-old man called about a package that he was supposed to receive but that the package had been delivered to a different address. The officer was able to track down the package on Broadway and relayed the package to him.

Aug. 13

11:03 p.m. Police were dispatched to the Dollar General parking lot for a traffic complaint. Upon arrival, the dispatcher stated a vehicle had just left the parking lot and was heading toward Poultney Street. Officers interviewed a 20-year-old woman who said a Queensbury taxi driven by a woman drove over the curb across the street from Ross’s Chevrolet and caused the vehicle to throw sparks. She said the vehicle hit the curb so hard it almost flipped and almost hit her while she was standing on the sidewalk. Patrols advised the woman that they would canvass the area and try to locate the Queensbury cab. Patrols located the vehicle on Main Street near Saunders Street with no operator. Patrols watched the vehicle for several minutes and had negative results with speaking to an operator.

Aug. 16

6:40 a.m. Officers responded to Champs Campground for unwanted text messages. Officers interviewed a 53-year-old man who showed the officer a long message sent to him from a 44-year-old man on messenger. The officer read the message and although there were no direct threats it did state that the 44-year-old could possibly come down on Friday evening to the campground. The officer was asked to speak with the 44-year-old and tell him that he is not allowed on the property.

The officer located the 44-year-old in front of his business and spoke to him. He acknowledged sending the message but only wanted to talk things out and not cause any problems. He admitted he was angry when he sent the message and was waiting for the 53-year-old’s father to come talk to him as his father said he was coming down. The officer advised the man that at this time he was not wanted on the property of Champs Campground.

7:30 a.m. The front door to Historic Grounds was wide open because a food delivery truck had made a delivery during the morning but was now gone. The officer checked the interior of the building and secured the door on his way out.

12:30 p.m. An officer took a call at the station about the construction on U.S. Route 4 just south of the Village. The caller stated that all the cones on the southern end of the construction site had been knocked over by a large truck and were all over the roadway. The officer relayed the information to NYSDOT.

7:33 p.m. Officers were dispatched to 193 Broadway, apartment B, for unauthorized use of a vehicle and interviewed a 48-year-old woman who said she gave the keys and her car to a 53-year-old man and allowed him to use the vehicle during the day, but he had to bring the vehicle back by 4:30 p.m. The man called during the interview stating he was on Bluebird Road in South Glens Falls waiting for someone to bring him money. The officer and the woman told him that he needed to bring the car back at 10 p.m. otherwise he would be arrested for unauthorized use. Around 10 p.m. the woman contacted dispatch and advised the vehicle had been returned.

Aug. 17

10:35 a.m. State trooper Gina Norton contacted police and reported that she was with a 39-year-old man at the boat launch on Skenesborough Drive and that he was in possession of a possible switchblade knife. Officers responded and spoke with Norton who stated that the man is on NYS parole and during her contact with him that morning he was in possession of what she believed to be an illegal knife. An officer confirmed that the knife was in fact a switchblade and asked him where he got it. The man stated that the knife was in with other items that he picked up someplace that had free stuff available on the lawn. The officer told the man that it was illegal to possess switchblade knives in New York State and told Norton that he would be charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. The man was released and given an appearance ticket for Aug. 22 at 4 p.m. upon completion of arrest processing at the station.

Aug. 18

8:15 a.m. An officer responded to South Williams Street for a domestic incident called in by a neighbor. Officers located both the suspect and victim in Stewart’s parking lot. The officer interviewed a 25-year-old man who said he was going to Granville to avoid any problems and that nothing had happened between the two. After leaving the parking lot, the 25-year-old woman advised that the man has her license plates, and she wanted them as they do not belong on the truck and there is no insurance, but the man was gone at that time. Granville police were notified. Upon returning to the residence with the woman and talking to the 41-year-old woman who reported the incident, the woman did not wish to pursue charges for harassment. The 41-year-old neighbor told police the incidents are getting out of control with the man and something needs to be done. The case will be closed based on refusal to cooperate.

11:05 a.m. While on a separate complaint, a woman came to the station to report a loose dog in the area of Stewart’s. She stated the dog was friendly, but she didn’t want it to be hit by a car. After clearing the complaint, the officer checked the area and did not locate any loose dog.

New York State Police

Aug. 14

2:20 p.m. Jazmin L. Flowers, 27, of Poughkeepsie was arrested in Granville for introducing contraband into prison in the second degree, a class A misdemeanor; introducing dangerous contraband into prison in the first degree, a class D felony; criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, a class A misdemeanor; and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree, a class D felony. She was being held.

Aug. 15

6:12 a.m. Jordan R. Thompson, 29, of Granville was arrested for criminal contempt in the second degree, specifically disobeying a court order, a class A misdemeanor. He was being held.

Aug. 16

1:55 p.m. Martin R. Taft, 47, of Salem and Donald J. Burch, 54, of Middle Granville, Vermont, were charged in Wilton for criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree. Both were issued appearance tickets.

Aug. 17

10:30 a.m. In relation to an incident that occurred on Aug. 12 in Greenwich, Rebecca R. Francett, 26, of Fort Edward was charged with grand larceny in the fourth degree of property valued in excess of $1,000, a class E felony. She was issued an appearance ticket.

7:35 p.m. Stephanie K. Davis, 45, of Greenwich, was arrested for assault in the third degree with intent to cause physical injury and criminal mischief with intent to damage property, both class A misdemeanors in relation to a domestic dispute. She was being held.

Aug. 18

8:12 p.m. Nicholas E. Hamilton, 22, of Johnsonville, was charged in Cambridge for aggravated harassment in the second degree, a class A misdemeanor. He was issued an appearance ticket.

Aug. 21

3:10 a.m. Zachary T. Eveland, 22, of Gansevoort and Tammy L. Evans, 28, of Fort Edward were both charged in Moreau on criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree with intent to sell, a class D felony. Both were issued appearance tickets.

Vermont State Police

Aug. 17

9:12 p.m. Vermont State Police were dispatched to a report of a man selling a stolen motorcycle on Meadow Street in Wallingford. Investigation revealed Timothy Shaw, 42, of Rutland City was in possession of a motorcycle that he stole from Joseph Shackett of Rutland City and caused damage to. Upon his arrest, Shaw was found to be in possession of a controlled substance and was charged with grand larceny and aggravated operation without the owner’s consent. He was transported to Rutland for processing and lodged at Marble Valley Correctional Facility for outstanding in state warrants, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, providing false information to a law enforcement officer and driving with a suspended license. He was to appear at Rutland Superior Court, Criminal Division, at a later date.

Aug. 19

6:12 p.m. Vermont State Police were dispatched to a report of an intoxicated man destroying property at a residence on Cold River Road in Rutland Town. Investigation revealed Timothy Blanchard, 42, of Castleton damaged a rear window on a vehicle, left the residence prior to troopers’ arrival and was driving intoxicated. Troopers stopped the vehicle of interest on Crescent Street in Rutland City and identified Blanchard as the operator. While speaking with Blanchard, troopers detected indicators of impairment. Blanchard was screened, placed under arrest and transported to Rutland Barracks for processing. Blanchard was released to a sober party with a citation to appear in Rutland County Superior Court, Criminal Division, at a later date.

Aug. 21

2:44 a.m. Vermont State Police were notified of a family fight in the area of Vermont Route 131 and Chubb Hill Road in the Town of Cavendish. Through the course of investigation, it was determined Anthony R. Richard, 34, of Argyle, New York, caused pain or bodily injury to a family or household member and damaged the victim’s property. Richard was placed under arrest and transported to the Westminster Barracks for processing. Richard was released on conditions to appear at Vermont Superior Court, Windsor Criminal Division at a later date.

6:06 p.m. Vermont State Police responded to a report of a man refusing to leave the Cortina Inn in the Town of Rutland. Troopers identified the man as Ronald James Jones III, 40, of Rutland. Through investigation, it was determined Jones committed the offenses of unlawful trespass and disorderly conduct. Jones was taken into custody and transported for processing. Jones was released with a citation to appear in Rutland Superior Court, Criminal Division, at a later date.


A number of weapons and high-capacity magazines were seized on Aug. 18 at a residence in Greenwich. (Photo courtesy of New York State Police)

State Police seize illegal guns and magazines in Washington County

On Thursday, Aug. 18, members of the New York State Police Special Investigations Unit Gun Trafficking Interdiction Unit and the Troop G Bureau of Criminal Investigation arrested three Washington County men on gun possession charges and seized a number of weapons and high-capacity magazines, according to a press release from the New York State Police.

John D. Petteys Sr., 68, and John D. Petteys Jr., 28, both of Greenwich, are charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, specifically possession of a machine gun, and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, all felonies.

State Police also charged Andrew J. Fisk, 28, with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree.

An investigation revealed that the three suspects were involved in the illegal manufacturing of various firearm parts, including kits that would convert firearms into fully automatic weapons. State Police conducted a search warrant at a residence where the three men were staying on State Route 372 in the town of Greenwich and seized six assault rifles, including two fully automatic machine guns, two ghost gun handguns and numerous other long guns. Troopers also seized more than 40 high-capacity rifle and pistol magazines.

All three suspects were arraigned in Easton Town Court and ordered held at the Washington County Jail without bail.

This investigation is still ongoing by the SIU Gun Trafficking Interdiction Unit. Investigators from State Police Greenwich BCI and the Washington Co. District Attorney’s Office assisted with the investigation.