Hudson Valley Trio Nabbed In Shoplifting Spree Targeting Putnam Shops: Sheriff

SOUTHEAST, NY — An alert about a wanted vehicle entering the jurisdiction led to the foiling of a crime in progress, according to law enforcement officials.

Putnam County Sheriff Kevin J. McConville says that three people were arrested for shoplifting from businesses on Independent Way in Southeast.

On July 30, around 5 p.m., deputies receive a report that a vehicle wanted for felonies out of New Jersey was in the area of I-84 and Route 312. Deputies and investigators found the vehicle in a parking lot and saw a trio leaving a store with several items that were later confirmed as stolen, according to the department.

The sheriff said that 35-year-old Latifah R. Smith, of Carmel; 28-year-old Shatoya Smith, of Newburgh; and 25-year-old Carlan Newby, of Beacon, were all charged with felony fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, felony fourth-degree grand larceny, and misdemeanor criminal possession of an anti-security item.

Latifah Smith and Shatoya Smith were also charged with being fugitives from justice as they were wanted for felonies from the Paramus Police Department in New Jersey.

All three were arraigned in the Town of Southeast Court and were remanded to the Putnam County Correctional Facility.