The New Windsor Police Department has concluded its investigation into the cause of the October 21, 2020 fatal three vehicle collision involving a Washingtonville Central School District bus, a commercial tree service truck and a BMW sedan. The two-month long investigation determined that the commercial tree service truck, operated by Ian K. Jennings, crossed over the double yellow line and entered the oncoming Eastbound lane of traffic causing the collision with the school bus and the sedan.

Toxicology results from the New York State Police lab determined that alcohol and drugs were not a contributing factor in this collision. Accident reconstruction investigators were able to rule out excessive speed as well as any type of mechanical failure on the part of the commercial tree service truck. Investigators also determined that Mr. Jennings was not using his cellular phone nor did he suffer any type of medical event just prior to the collision.

Ian K. Jennings, 25 years old from Grahamsville, New York was cited for two violations of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law which include failure to keep right (section 1120A) and failure to wear a seatbelt (section 1229). He was given a court date of February 2, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. before New Windsor Town Justice George J. Meyers IV.

Chief of Police Robert L. Doss commented on the investigation, “As a result of our investigation, it was determined we do not have evidence to support any criminal charges in this case. It comes down to this being a case of a driver that was inattentive behind the wheel. Whether Mr. Jennings was drowsy or distracted by something in or around the vehicle he was operating we will never know. Mr. Jennings received two traffic summonses for his role in this horrific collision that unfortunately took the life of Andrew Sanchez and seriously injured a six-year old girl. In a matter of just a few seconds, so many lives were changed forever. The family and friends of Mr. Sanchez suffer his loss every day and the Washingtonville Central School District lost a very special employee. I want to thank the New York State Police and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance in this investigation.”

District Attorney David M. Hoovler stated, “I commend the Town of New Windsor Police Department and the New York State Police for their diligence and thoroughness in this investigation. The tragic consequences of this collision are no doubt most keenly felt by the family and friends of the deceased, the severely injured six-year old girl and her family and friends. The whole community is saddened by their loss. Although there was no finding of criminal liability in this case, my office has assigned an experienced assistant district attorney to prosecute the traffic summonses which were issued.”

Media Contact: Deputy Chief Michael Farbent - mfarbent@newwindsor-ny-gov
 

The New Windsor Police Department conducted Holiday Patrols in the commercial areas of town during the month of December 2020. This increased patrol initiative consisted of uniformed officers in marked police cars, as well as less obvious patrols of detectives in unmarked police cars. The patrols occurred in and around the Vails Gate commercial area, as well as other strip mall and convenience store locations in Town. The overall purpose of these highly visible Holiday Patrols is to deter robberies and larcenies from occurring and to increase the overall safety of shoppers in town.

The Holiday Patrol Initiative proved to very successful again this holiday season. In the commercial areas where the patrols occurred, there were no robberies and only four (4) larcenies reported for the whole month of December 2020. Additionally, all four larceny cases resulted in an arrest and they were all shoplifting related. Police Chief Robert Doss stated, “Historically across the country, law enforcement sees an increase in robberies and larcenies during the holiday season and we simply will not allow this to happen here. 2020 marked our third holiday season in a row where we conducted these type of high visibility patrols. Impressively and once again, our efforts showed an overall decrease in these type of incidents. I think it is so very important that people coming to New Windsor to visit our businesses feel safe and I think we accomplished this. The success of the Holiday Patrol initiative is a direct result of the hard work of our officers and detectives and I appreciate all their efforts.”

It should also be noted that these patrols were conducted at no additional cost to the taxpayers. 

On December 15, 2020, members of the New Windsor Police Department in partnership with the Orange County Sexual Assault Response Team, participated in the ‘Start by Believing Campaign’ by signing pledges to ‘start by believing’ anyone who tells them that they were raped or sexually assaulted.  The New Windsor Police Department has long been a partner with the Orange County Sexual Assault Response Team.  Members of the Police Department have received special training to investigate sexual crimes and continue to take any reports of these types of crimes very seriously. 

 

 

If you need to report a sexual assault please contact the Police Department at (845)565-7000.

If you or someone you love is a survivor of sexual violence in need of support, contact Orange County Rape Crisis Team 24/7 by calling 311. 

 

Congratulations to New Windsor Police Officer Ryan Sussman who was recognized by Orange County Stop DWI for his outstanding enforcement efforts in the area of driving while intoxicated as well as driving with ability impaired by drugs for the year 2019.

                             Orange County News
For Immediate Release                                                                        Contact: Christopher Borek
November 6, 2020                                                                           845.291.3276, 845.238.4245c

District Attorney Hoovler Announces Murder Charges

In Death of Missing City of Newburgh Woman

Man Indicted for Murdering 36-Year-Old Woman

Victim Missing Since November 3, 2019

Body of Victim Not Recovered

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced on Friday, November 6, 2020, that Matthew Mercado, 37, of Newburgh, was arraigned before Orange County Court Judge William L. DeProspo on charges including Murder in the Second Degree, in connection with the death of 36-year-old Jessica Lopez, a City of Newburgh woman who was last seen on November 3, 2019, at the Windsor Motel in the Town of New Windsor. 

Mercado had previously been indicted on charges including Burglary in the Second Degree for breaking into room 32 of the Windsor Motel on November 3, 2019, at about 1:35 AM, and stealing two bags from the three young woman who had been sleeping in the room at the time.  Mercado has been continually incarcerated since his arrest on November 6, 2019, in connection with those charges.  The District Attorney’s Office superseded that case in the Grand Jury and asked the Grand Jury to consider additional evidence concerning the disappearance of Jessica Lopez, who had been staying with Mercado in room 33 of the Windsor Motel the night of Saturday, November 2, 2019, into the morning of Sunday, November 3, 2019.  The Grand Jury indicted Mercado for Murder in the Second Degree for intentionally killing Jessica Lopez in room 33 of the motel as Ms. Lopez was attempting to leave the motel at approximately 5:00 AM on November 3, 2019.  The Grand Jury also indicted Mercado for a separate count of Murder in the Second Degree for having killed Ms. Lopez during the commission of a robbery or kidnapping of her.  Robbery under the law  is forcibly stealing property. Mercado is charged with two counts of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree for having stolen Ms. Lopez bank card and stealing approximately $1,500 from her account, most of which was taken out in ATM withdrawals starting at approximately 9:00 AM on November 3, 2019.

Mercado is also charged with three felony counts of Tampering with Physical Evidence.  One count alleges that he removed Ms. Lopez’s body from room 33, placed her in the trunk of her car, drove the car to an unknown location and concealed the body. Another count alleges that he deleted text messages between her cellular telephone and his cellular telephone, messages that were sent at about 5:30 AM on November 3, 2019.  The third count of Tampering with Physical Evidence alleges that he disposed of Ms. Lopez’s cellular telephone so it could not be used as evidence.  

The Grand Jury indicted Mercado again for Burglary in the Second Degree for breaking into room 32 and stealing bags from the three young woman, and added a charge of Criminal Impersonation in the Second Degree for Mercado having told the three young woman that he would not give their bags back and that he was an undercover police officer.

Bail was set in the amount of one-million dollars cash, or three-million dollars secured bond, or ten-million dollars partially secured bond.  The case is next scheduled for a virtual conference in County Court on December 2, 2020.  Mercado faces up to twenty-five years to life in state prison on the charges of Murder in the Second Degree and up to an additional fifteen years in state prison on the charge of Burglary in the Second Degree.

District Attorney Hoovler highly commended the Town of New Windsor Police Department for their investigation and unceasing efforts in the case, as well as the many law enforcement agencies that aided in the investigation, including the Town of Newburgh Police Department, the City of Newburgh Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Police, and the New York State Police, as well as the civilian volunteers who have searched for Jessica Lopez.

“By all accounts Jessica Lopez was a remarkable young woman and her loss is being severely felt by her family, friends, and many of her former students,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler.  “While recovering her remains will continue to be a high priority for us, we are fully prepared to litigate this case even without her body being recovered. Murder convictions without bodies are permissible under the law and in fact such convictions have occurred before here in Orange County. My heartfelt condolences go out to Ms. Lopez’s family, and my office will do everything in our  power to see that the person responsible for her death faces just punishment.” 

Chief Robert Doss of the Town of New Windsor Police Department said, “I would like to thank every member of the New Windsor Police Department that worked so diligently on this investigation.  It is because of their hard work, along with the assistance of all the other police agencies, that made a difference in this case.  I also want to thank District Attorney David Hoovler and his staff for their unwavering support through the process.  We will never forget the family of Jessica Lopez, who have been without her in their lives for over a year now.  Her mother, father and brother, all live with the constant pain of her loss.  I speak for every member of Law Enforcement that worked on this investigation when I say that we stand with them and we will continue to fight for Jessica every day until justice is brought in this case.  Our hearts go out to her family and we will continue to pray for them.  It is my hope that the news of this indictment will at least begin the process of closure to Jessica’s family and everyone that knew her.”  

The case is being prosecuted by Chief Assistant District Attorney Christopher Borek and Senior Assistant District Attorney Kelle Grimmer.

 

A criminal charge is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the State of New York’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE #20-12 Issued on: 11/03/20 @ 11:00 a.m.
Man Arrested for Stealing a Car and for Stealing Items out of Parked Vehicles

New Windsor Police arrested a man yesterday after being alerted that he had been seen rummaging through a parked car on Continental Drive at 3:30 a.m. in the morning. The man had run off after realizing the owner of the car may have saw him. Officer Christopher Deets located the man running through a nearby yard on Cannon Drive attempting to flee the area. After a foot pursuit, Officer Deets was able to arrest the man and recover much of the property that had been stolen, including keys to a car that he had stolen just hours before. The man was also found to be wearing a jacket that he had stolen the night before from a car on Canterbury Lane. Officers were able to locate the stolen vehicle nearby and recover it for the owner.

Further investigation by New Windsor Police Detectives linked this same man to at least 10 additional thefts from vehicles that occurred during the overnight hours from October 31, 2020 – November 2, 2020 on the following streets in New Windsor: Rt 9W, Forge Hill Road, Sloop Hill Road, Canterbury Lane, Continental Drive and Provost Drive. Additionally, he was identified as the perpetrator in similar incidents that occurred on Daniher Avenue during the overnight hours of October 10, 2020 and on Lafayette Drive during the overnight hours of August 1, 2020.

Arrested was: Gustavo G. Rosa, 30 years old of Newburgh, New York. He was charged with Grand Larceny of a Motor Vehicle 4th degree (1 count) and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 4th degree (2 counts), all felonies. He was arraigned by Judge Nancy Brenner-DeAngelo of the Town of Warwick Court and sent to
Orange County Jail with no bail, because he qualifies as a persistent felony offender. More criminal charges are expected to be lodged against Mr. Rosa as additional incidents are investigated.

All of the vehicles involved, including the car that was stolen, had been left unlocked by their owners. Additionally, the car that was stolen had its keys in it at the time of the crime. The Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in helping prevent these types of crimes from occurring by locking your car and by removing any valuables from inside it.

Anyone with additional information regarding these crimes can contact Detective John Vasta of the New Windsor Police Department at (845)563-4680.

A criminal charge is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the State of New York’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
 

On October 21, 2020 at approximately 8:21am there was a School Bus Accident on Route 207 in the Town of New Windsor. New Windsor Police responded and found that a Commercial Tree Service Truck that was heading Westbound on Route 207 crossed over the double yellow line and struck the Washingtonville School District School Bus that was driving Eastbound on Route 207. They then called for Fire Units for extrication for 3 people.

Fire and Rescue Units from Washingtonville Fire Department, Maybrook Fire Department, Vails Gate Fire Department and Montgomery Fire Department.

Ambulance Response was from New Windsor Ambulance Corps with assistance from Cornwall EMS, Blooming Grove EMS, Newburgh EMS and Highland Falls EMS.

The three Injured people who were extricated and brought to the Hospital were the driver of the tree service truck, the school bus driver and 1 student who was sitting behind the bus driver. The two drivers are in Critical Condition and the little girl is in Critical but stable position. No names are being released at this time.

Seven students walked off the bus and were brought to the hospital to be seen by medical professionals. They have since been treated and released.

New Windsor Police were assisted by NY State Police, Blooming Grove Police, NYSP accident investigation Unit, and NY State DOT.

The Accident is still under investigation at this time.

COMMUNITY REMINDER

Addiction Assistance Offered by New Windsor P.D.

The New Windsor Police Department would like to remind the community that substance use treatment and mental health services can enable those with mental and substance use disorders to live healthy and rewarding lives. Addiction and mental health disorders are a serious problem in our country, but there is hope! Our close partnership with Hope Not Handcuffs provides a way for those suffering with addiction to get the help they need. We are here to help. Just walk into the Police Department lobby and you will be met with dignity and respect as you begin the road to recovery and the journey to taking your life back.

New Windsor Police Officer Steven Bohr recently attended a two-week police training course to certify him to safely and efficiently operate a police motorcycle. The course was held by the City of Yonkers Police Department in Yonkers, New York. The class consisted of 20 police officers from several different police agencies in Westchester, Dutchess, Suffolk and Orange Counties, as well as one officer from a Connecticut agency. This highly demanding and rigorous course of instruction consisted of both classroom training and extensive riding through closed obstacle courses and on public roadways.

Officer Steven Bohr received the ‘Top Gun’ award for being the best motorcycle rider in the class. Officer Bohr is the first officer to be added to the Town of New Windsor Motor Unit in over 10 years. The Motor Unit was formed in 1995 and currently consists of three police motorcycles.

The photo shows Officer Bohr receiving the ‘Top Gun’ award at the graduation ceremony held on September 25, 2020 in Yonkers, NY.

This is a joint press release by the New Windsor Police Dept. and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office

Release Date – September 23, 2020:

The Town of New Windsor Police Department arrested a man today following an ongoing investigation into a hit and run motor vehicle crash. The crash involved multiple parked cars in a parking lot off of State Route 300 in New Windsor and no one was injured in the crash. Immediately after receiving a report of the crash, New Windsor police officers located the motor vehicle that caused the accident and its operator several miles away after it had fled the scene. As part of their investigation, the officers found the vehicle’s operator to be in possession of substances that they believed to be illegal drugs. The vehicle operator identified himself as a police officer and he stated that he was in possession of the substances in his official capacity as a police officer. Further investigation determined that the driver did not legally possess the substances as part of his police authority and lab confirmation determined that the substances involved were in fact a quantity of cocaine and a hallucinogenic drug known as MDMA.

Arrested was: Carlos Mendez, age 41 of Middletown, NY. Mr. Mendez is employed by the City of Newburgh Police Department as a Police Officer. He was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 4th degree (D-class felony), Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 7th degree (A-class misdemeanor), official misconduct (A-class misdemeanor) and leaving the scene of a property damage motor vehicle accident (traffic infraction). He was arraigned before Town Justice Noreen Calderin and released as required by state law with no bail and a mandatory appearance ticket to appear in town court on October 13, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. for further court action.

New Windsor Police Chief Robert Doss stated, “Every police officer takes an oath of office when they are appointed to their position and when that oath is violated, it falls upon other police officers to hold the line and do what is right. That is exactly what happened in this case. No one is above the law, especially police officers. I commend the New Windsor police officers that investigated this complaint to its fullest extent and I would expect nothing less from them.”

Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler stated, “I thank the Town of New Windsor Police Department for their professionalism and diligence on this case. It is always disappointing when there is an allegation that a police officer has engaged in criminal conduct, and even more so when it is alleged that an officer has used his badge to attempt to hide from his crimes. No one is above the law. Thankfully, instances of police officers committing the types crimes alleged here are rare, particularly here in Orange County, where the vast majority of our police officers behave honorably and legally in risking their lives every day to keep our residents and property safe. When allegations of criminal police misconduct are made, they must be diligently investigated and acted upon.”

The New Windsor Police Department will not be releasing the booking photograph in this case due to it being prohibited under New York Public Officers Law, Section 89, which was amended in mid-2019 to prohibit the release of booking photographs due to it being an “unwarranted invasion of personal privacy”.

A criminal charge is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the State of New York’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.