REMOTE SUPPORT
Please find and view the most up to date news and information regarding the Town of New Windsor Police Department listed below.
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.
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 The District Attorney’s Office superseded that case in the Grand Jury and asked the Grand Jury to consider additional evidence concerning the disappearance of Jessica Lopez, who had been staying with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.
Jessica Lopez
District Attorney Hoovler: Cornelius Stubbs Guilty of All Counts After Month-Long Jury Trial
Newburgh Man Guilty of Murder in the First Degree for Killing of a Woman in New Windsor
Co-Defendant Previously Pled Guilty to All Charges Against Him
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, Cornelius Stubbs, age 50, of Newburgh, was convicted following a jury trial in the Orange County Court of all charges against him including Murder in the First Degree. Stubbs faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison without parole when he is sentenced on September 20, 2022. Stubbs’s co-defendant in the case, Carlos Rivera, age 49, also of Newburgh, pled guilty to all counts he was facing, including Murder in the First Degree, during the jury selection phase of the trial on May 2, 2022. Rivera is expected to be sentenced to thirty years to life in state prison when he is sentenced on August 22, 2022.
The charges in the case stem from the September 2019 shooting death of a twenty-one-year-old female college student inside a New Windsor residence. The deceased woman was in the apartment visiting her boyfriend, who is the brother of the mother of one of Stubbs’ children. The indictment also charged Stubbs with a pattern of harassment of that same mother, as well as her family.
At trial, Stubbs was convicted of Murder in the First Degree, two counts of Attempted Murder in the First Degree, Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, Burglary in the First Degree, Assault in the First Degree, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, for having broken into the brother’s New Windsor apartment, shooting the brother, and fatally shooting his girlfriend. The brother was seriously injured in the attack.
Stubbs was also convicted of ten counts of Criminal Contempt in the First Degree, Coercion in the First Degree, eight counts of Criminal Contempt in the Second Degree, three counts of Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree, and two counts of Harassment in the Second Degree, for having repeatedly threatened and harassed the mother of his child, as well as her brother.
District Attorney Hoovler thanked the Town of New Windsor Police Department and New York State Police for their investigation and the arrest of the defendants, as well the City of Newburgh Police Department who aided in the investigation.
“The horrific tragedy perpetrated by these defendants stands as a stark reminder of the dangers that escalating domestic and intimate partner violence can pose not only to those who had been directly involved in a relationship with an offender, but to others as well,” said District Attorney David Hoovler. “This case has not only affected the victims and their families but has cast a long shadow over the community. I hope that this verdict will bring some measure of closure to the family and loved ones of the victims who have suffered such unimaginable grief. I highly commend Senior Assistant District Attorney David Byrne, who has been a prosecutor for over twenty years, for working tirelessly to see that these violent felons were brought to justice.”
District Attorney Hoovler highly commended Senior Assistant District Attorney David Byrne and Assistant District Attorney Michael Roche who prosecuted the case.
A criminal charge is merely an allegation by the police 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
New Windsor P.D. Receives Implicit-Bias Awareness Training
Release Date – August 25, 2020:
The Town of New Windsor Police Department recently completed a training in the specialized area of implicit-bias awareness. This recently updated and state-of-the-art training, known as Fair and Impartial Policing was taught to all 50 sworn-members of the Police Department by an instructor from the nation’s #1 provider of this type of training. This very sought after training is currently being taught to police agencies of all types and sizes around the country, including many major cities.
The training aims to educate Officers about how implicit biases can have negative consequences on an Officer’s perceptions and behavior as they do their job. This specific training curriculum is unique because it takes a science based approach to train Officers in the use of new skills that they can use to reduce and manage any biases that they may have. These same skills have been shown to promote working in a more safe, just and effective manner.
Police Chief Robert Doss stated, “This training continues our ongoing commitment to serve the community in a courteous, impartial and fair way. There is simply no place for prejudice or discrimination in police work. While we already have written policies in place that directly reflect these fundamental principles, this training really took a hands-on approach to reinforce to us how some implicit biases can negatively impact even the most well-intentioned Officer’s actions. I am hopeful that this training helps build upon the exceptional level of trust that our community has graciously bestowed upon us over the years.”
Photo: A group of Police Officers participate in the Fair and Impartial Policing training while practicing safe COVID-19 protocols.
Our latest example of helping an individual get help for their addiction struggle occurred on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 when the individual walked into our police station, bag packed and asked for help for their drug addiction. This person had interacted with one of our Police Officers on two different occasions where the Officer spoke to them about the Hope Not Handcuffs Program and how it works. The Officer “planted the seed” and now the individual is on their way to recovery and a better life.
You do not need to live with a drug or alcohol addiction struggle! Regain control of your life. If you need help, do something about it. As a participating location, the New Windsor Police Department is here to help - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are here for YOU and you will be treated with nothing but dignity and respect. You can also call the Hope Not Handcuffs Hudson Valley Program directly at (833)428-HOPE for immediate assistance.
#EndOverdose
On December 5, 2001, Nancy Smith, a 32-year-old resident was found deceased in her house on Provost Drive in New Windsor. On that day, Smith’s parents received a call from her office saying that Smith had not shown up to work at the Horton Hospital in Middletown. Concerned, they went to check on Smith at her New Windsor home on Provost Drive, where they found her deceased on the living room floor. Nancy’s death was the result of a vicious attack and the investigation into her murder began.
As the 20th Anniversary of Nancy’s death approaches, the detectives from New Windsor Police Department are, once again, asking for the community’s assistance in identifying Nancy’s killer. To date, over 900 investigative leads have been pursued by members of the NWPD, New York State Police, Orange County District Attorney’s Office and several other Local, State and Federal law enforcement agencies. Over the last few years, detectives have re-examined evidence in this case, re-interviewed witnesses, friends, family members, co-workers and other persons from Nancy’s life. Representatives from both public criminal and private DNA laboratories have been consulted, seeking the latest testing methods and technologies available. So far, we have been unable to identify the perpetrator.
The New Windsor Police Department would like to encourage members of the community to call us with any information they may have about this murder. Any piece of information would help, no matter how small or insignificant a person may feel their information would be. For 20 years, investigators and family members have been trying to find the missing pieces to the puzzle for this crime. There is still a reward of $20,000 being offered, for information leading to the identification and arrest of the person(s) responsible for Nancy’s death.
Investigators working this investigation can be reached at 845-563-4657 or by email at [email protected].
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE #23-14 Issued on: August 28, 2023
On Sunday, August 27, 2023 New Windsor Police responded to a report of a motor vehicle accident on Little Britain Rd. in the area of Executive Dr. While the accident was being investigated, Police Officer Maria Schettini was directing traffic around the crash site when she was struck by a passing vehicle. The vehicle fled the scene and was subsequently stopped by officers over a mile away. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Claudia A. Rudin, 74, of New Windsor. Officer Schettini was transported by New Windsor Emergency Medical Services Ambulance to Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital in Newburgh for treatment. She was admitted to the hospital and remains in stable condition. The incident is still under investigation. New Windsor Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact Detective Moore of the Town of New Windsor Police Department at (845) 565-7000.