Peekskill Man Charged in Philipstown Home Invasion

Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith reports the arrest of a 30 year-old Peekskill (NY) man on assorted criminal charges stemming from his alleged involvement in unlawfully entering a private residence and assaulting an occupant therein. 

Shortly before midnight on Oc. 12 the Sheriff’s Office received a complaint that a former acquaintance, Horacio Reyes of 675 Highland Avenue, had arrived at a Route 9 home owned by a female victim. Knocking on the door and demanding entry, Reyes was denied access to the house and told to leave.  As the victim entered her bedroom, she noticed that Mr. Reyes had climbed through a window and into her bedroom.  Once inside the house, Reyes argued with the victim.  The argument escalated to the extent that Reyes allegedly grabbed the woman about her neck choking her, causing physical injury and a feeling of not being able to breathe.  The victim’s eleven year-old daughter witnessing the incident dialed 911.  Reyes grabbed the phone away from the child and hung it up.  He then fled from the house prior to the arrival of a Sheriff’s deputy.  Deputy Vincent Dalo responded and conducted the initial investigation.

The case was referred to Investigators Stephen Tricinelli and John Matrician of the Sheriff’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Further investigation revealed that by Mr. Reyes by entering the home and reportedly assaulting the occupant, had violated the terms and conditions of an existing Order of Protection issued by Justice Gina Capone of the Putnam Valley Justice Court on Oct. 26, 2010.                                          

On Oct. 20, 2011, Sheriff’s investigators located Mr. Reyes as he arrived at the Philipstown Town Justice Court in an attempt to retrieve bail money from an unrelated incident.

He was arrested and charged with Burglary in the First Degree, a class “B” violent felony, Criminal Contempt in the First Degree, a class “E” felony, Criminal Obstruction of Breathing or Blood Circulation and Endangering the Welfare of a Child – the two latter charges being class “A” misdemeanors.

Reyes was arraigned before Kent Town Justice Kevin Douchkoff, on behalf of the Phlipstown Justice Court, and remanded to the Putnam County Correctional Facility in lieu of $35,000 cash bail or $75,000 secured bond.