2012 December

December 28, 2012 – Telephone Fraud Alert

The Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department has received several complaints in reference to telephone calls originating from 347-891-1626. The caller informs the intended target that a family member or friend has been kidnapped (sometimes after a car accident has taken place) and money would have to be sent in order to facilitate their safe return.

The caller directs the intended victim to stay on the phone and to not make any other phone calls until the money has been transferred via Western Union or MoneyGram.

Town of Poughkeepsie residents receiving calls of this type are urged to contact the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department at 845-485-3666.

December 21, 2012 –  Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance Arrest

On Tuesday, December 18, 2012, at 9:40 p.m., while on routine patrol, an officer from the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department observed a motorist operating a motor vehicle while viewing an electronic device. The vehicle was traveling southbound on South Road by Oakwood Commons.

The officer initiated a vehicle and traffic stop on South Road, however, the operator continued driving south on South Road. The operator then exited South Road onto the property of IBM and finally stopped in the parking lot.

During the traffic stop the operator was identified as Michael Velez. It was learned that Velez was operating the vehicle with a suspended license. During the arrest of Velez, 138 small packets of heroin, 16 Oxycodone pills and just over $2000.00 in United States currency was located on his person.

The Dutchess County Drug Task Force assisted with the arrest.

Defendant:  Michael Velez – Age 25
Address: 27 Jackson Drive South. Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

CHARGES
Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, 3rd degree, Class B/Felony
Aggravated Unlicensed Operation, 2nd degree
Non-Transparent Windows
Operating a Motor Vehicle while Viewing an Electronic Device

ARRAIGNMENT INFORMATION
On December 19, 2012, Michael Velez was arraigned before Judge Paul Banner. Velez was remanded to the Dutchess County Jail in lieu of $20,000 cash or $40,000 bond, to reappear in Town Justice Court on January 7, 2013 at 3:00 p.m.

December 5, 2012:  Larcenies from Motor Vehicles

On December 19, 2012, Michael Velez was arraigned before Judge Paul Banner. Velez was remanded to the Dutchess County Jail in lieu of $20,000 cash or $40,000 bond, to reappear in Town Justice Court on January 7, 2013 at 3:00 p.m.

The Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department is investigating a recent pattern of thefts from parked motor vehicles. These thefts are occurring throughout the Town of Poughkeepsie and are occurring in residential areas during the overnight hours.

Most recently, in housing developments in the Red Oaks Mill area of the town that runs along Vassar Road and Spackenkill Road. The following streets have been affected:

The common thread in all the crimes is that the vehicle owner left valuables in plain sight inside the vehicle. In addition, almost all the vehicles were left unlocked.

Vehicle owners are strongly advised to follow basic safety rules such as not leaving valuables in your vehicle and always locking your vehicle.

These are proven deterrents to vehicle thefts, as the criminal will avoid a vehicle that is locked or a vehicle that has no valuables visible inside.

Persons should also keep a list of serial #’s or identifying marks on their valuables. Should the police recover any stolen property, your property can more easily be matched to what is recovered.

Anyone who observes suspicious persons or vehicles in their neighborhood during the overnight hours should call the Town of Poughkeepsie Police at 845-485-3666 or leave a tip at dev.townpolice.net