Top Ten Local Crimes of 2011

Peekskill-Cortlandt Patch has reported police blotter items from the Peekskill, Westchester County and New York State police all year. Below are the top ten stories that were read the most. Most follow up information was provided by spokeswoman Tracy Everson of the Westchester County District Attorney’s office, some was provided by Peekskill Police Lietenant Eric Johansen.

A Montrose teen was arrested after allegedly breaking a motel window and burning a motel clerk with a lit cigarette in June. The same teen was arrested months later and charged with felony burglary, kicking a family dog and taking a car that was not his. His cases are still pending in the courts and his next court date is Jan. 23, 2012.

2.   

On June 22 police arrested 21 of 31 targeted drug dealers for a series of drug-related charges. Some of those arrested were evicted from public housing in Peekskill, as the arrest was a violation of the lease. The Peekskill police are still looking for a few of the original targets. Lt. Eric Johansen said that the majority of the arrests resulted in guilty please or convictions. Some charges are still pending in the courts. 

3.   

A Cortlandt Manor man was arrested for allegedly having sexual contact with a 13-year-old girl in November. His next court date is Jan. 23. 

4.   

A Peekskill bus driver involved in a minor accident this November allegedly told kids to keep quiet and did not report the accident to the school or the police. He was arrested later that day following a questioning and charged endangering the welfare of a minor and leaving the scene of a personal injury auto accident, both misdemeanors, on Nov. 17.  His case is still pending in the courts.

 5.   

On Feb. 7, 2011 ten people were arrested in a drug raid conducted by the Westchester County Police. Of the seven arrested on drug charges, Joe Wilson, 33, of Peekskill, plead guilty to attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance, a felony and was sentenced to one year in Westchester County penitentiary on Sept. 8, 2011. Jamal Wilson, 25, of Peekskill plead guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance and was sentenced to time served.

Carl Culberson, of Mohegan Lake, plead guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance and is due back in court on Jan. 10.

The other suspects: Perry Freeman, of Mohegan Lake; Kevin Ellis, of Peekskill; Clifford Ellis, of Peekskill and Sylvia Ellis, of Peekskill are all due back in court on Jan. 20.

The cases of two others who were charged with separate misdemeanor charges have been sealed.

6.  

A 49-year-old Verpanck woman was arrested in September for allegedly beating her boyfriend with a broomstick and rock during an argument. This case has been closed and cannot be discussed by the Westchester District Attorney’s office.

A Yonkers woman allegedly stole out of wedding guests purses during a reception at the Lake Peekskill Community Center in October. She was charged with several counts of Grand Larceny.

On Sept. 20 a Peekskill woman was arrested for prostitution on N. Division Street near Orchard Street. The arrest came following complaints of illegal activity, including prostitution, in the area. On Oct. 31, the woman pled guilty to prostitution and was sentenced to 30 days in the county penitentiary.

A Peekskill man was arrested for grabbing a woman’s breast and then chasing her after she broke free on N. Division Street in October. The woman was ok. The man was arrested for forcible touching. His case is still pending in the courts.

On Aug. 6 a Verplanck man was charged with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon, felonies, and one count of menacing in the second degree, a misdemeanor, for threatening to kill a family member during a dispute. Police then found a loaded gun in his home. His case is still pending in the courts.