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Three Arrested for Grand Larceny Thanks To The Clarkstown Police Department

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2 years ago

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On March 4, 2023, at approximately 2:20 pm the Clarkstown Police Department responded to the Rockland Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership on Rt. 304 in Nanuet, NY regarding a key fob swap incident.
Arriving officers were told by an employee of Rockland Chrysler Jeep Dodge that two males entered the dealership looking to purchase a used Jeep Grand Cherokee earlier in the day. The dealership provided a key fob to the men so that they could inspect the vehicle, it was at this time that the employee believes the suspects switched the fobs, handing the fraudulent fob to the salesman. This went unnoticed until after both suspects had left the dealership.
The Clarkstown Detective Bureau were aware of similar complaints from several dealerships in the region. A detail was created consisting of detectives, CPD Street Crime Unit and midnight patrol officers. The thought was that the suspects would return that evening to steal the vehicle in question. At approximately 11:35 pm on March 4, 2024, the suspects vehicle from earlier in the day did in fact return to the dealership and two males were observed entering the Grand Cherokee on the dealership lot. As an officer approached them and boxed the vehicle in, the two suspects exited the Jeep and ran from the scene with our officers in pursuit. Both suspects were apprehended and identified as Joel Belen, a 19 year old male from the Bronx, and Mankamang Ceesay, a 20 year old male from the Bronx. Mr. Ceesay was located only after two of our officers entered the swampy area of the cloverleaf of Palisades Interstate Parkway and the NYS Thruway. The two officers were assisted by the CPD Drone Unit and NYS Police in locating and removing the suspect to safety. The suspect, when apprehended, appeared to be in distress caused by the frigid temperature of the swampy water. EMS was on scene and he was transported to an area hospital for treatment.
As the foot pursuits were occurring the driver of the suspects vehicle failed to stop for our trailing detectives. The suspect subsequently crashed his vehicle in the area of Old Mill Rd and Snake Hill Rd. He then attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended after a brief foot chase. The third suspect (driver of the vehicle) was identified as Isaac Boateng, a 21 year old male from the Bronx.
Mr. Joel Belen was placed under arrest and charged with Grand Larceny 3 (felony), Grand Larceny Auto (felony), Obstruct Governmental Administration (misdemeanor) and Conspiracy (misdemeanor). Mr. Belen was arraigned in the Town of Clarkstown Justice Court where bail was set at $10,000.00. He was placed in the custody of the RC Sherriffs and transported to the RC Jail.
Mr. Mankamang Ceesay was placed under arrest and charged with Grand Larceny 3 (felony), Grand Larceny Auto (felony), Obstruct Governmental Administration (misdemeanor) and False Impersonation (misdemeanor). Mr. Ceesay was arraigned in the Town of Clarkstown Justice Court and released on his own recognizance.
Mr. Isaac Boateng was placed under and charged with 2 counts of Grand Larceny 3 (felony), Resisting Arrest (misdemeanor), Conspiracy 5 (misdemeanor) and several NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law infractions. Mr. Boateng was arraigned in the Town of Clarkstown Justice Court where he was remanded to RC Jail on a warrant.
It should be noted that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation and that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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Pomona Man Arrested After Stolen Vehicle Alert Leads Police to Narcotics Investigation

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13 hours ago

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August 13, 2026

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A stolen vehicle alert led Haverstraw police to a 49-year-old Pomona man who authorities say was found with a large quantity of narcotics.

According to the Haverstraw Police Department, officers were alerted Tuesday, Aug. 11, after a license plate reader notification indicated that a stolen vehicle was entering the Village of Haverstraw.

Police later located the vehicle in Pomona and took the occupant into custody without incident.

The suspect was identified as Diamond Dickerson, 49, of Pomona.

During the investigation, police said Dickerson was found in possession of a large quantity of narcotics.

Dickerson was charged with:

  • Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree — Narcotic Drug with Intent to Sell, a Class B felony
  • Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree — Narcotic Drug/Stimulant with Intent to Sell, a Class B felony
  • Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree, a Class C felony
  • Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree with Intent to Sell, a Class D felony
  • Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree — Motor Vehicle, a Class E felony
  • Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fifth Degree, a Class A misdemeanor

Dickerson was transported to the Haverstraw Police Department for processing before being arraigned in West Haverstraw Village Justice Court.

He was remanded to the Rockland County Correctional Facility.

The Haverstraw Police Department said the investigation was conducted with assistance from the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Rockland County Intelligence Center.

The charges are allegations. A criminal complaint is not proof of guilt, and Dickerson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

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Pearl River’s Paula Bohovesky Killer Headed Back to Prison

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14 hours ago

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August 13, 2026

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More than four decades after the murder of 16-year-old Paula Bohovesky, one of the men convicted in her death is headed back to state prison after repeatedly violating parole.

Robert McCain, who was convicted along with Richard LaBarbera in Bohovesky’s 1980 murder, was granted parole in 2021 after spending roughly 40 years behind bars.

Since his release, McCain has returned to custody multiple times. His parole has now been revoked following three violations, according to recent reports.

Murder of Paula Bohovesky

Bohovesky was 16 when she was killed on Oct. 28, 1980, while walking home after working at the Pearl River Public Library.

The Pearl River High School student was attacked and killed in a case that shocked the community and remained in the public spotlight for decades.

McCain and LaBarbera were later convicted of the murder and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.

The two men eventually became eligible for parole after serving decades behind bars.

LaBarbera was released on parole in 2019. McCain was granted parole in 2021, despite opposition from Bohovesky’s family and members of the Pearl River community.

McCain’s Return to Custody

McCain’s release did not mark the end of his involvement with the criminal justice system.

In July 2025, he was arrested following an incident at a park in Cortlandt. He later pleaded guilty to forcible touching and served four months in jail.

He was subsequently involved in another case in Peekskill.

According to authorities, the November 2025 incident involved an attempt to remove a license plate and registration from a parked vehicle. McCain later pleaded guilty to aggravated harassment and petit larceny.

In March 2026, he was sentenced to six months in jail. The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision also imposed a six-month sentence for a parole violation.

His latest parole revocation means McCain will return to state prison. News 12 reported that he is expected to serve approximately 10 additional months, with a projected release date of May 1.

Continued Opposition to His Release

McCain’s parole has been controversial since the beginning.

Bohovesky’s family, community members and local officials had opposed his release and urged the state to keep him incarcerated.

Rockland County Executive Ed Day has also been a vocal critic of the parole decision. Following McCain’s 2025 arrest, Day renewed his criticism of the decision to release him.

The case has also become part of the broader political debate over New York’s parole policies, with critics arguing that the state has been too lenient toward people convicted of serious crimes.

However, parole decisions are made by the New York State Board of Parole, rather than by a political party or Albany lawmakers as a group.

For Pearl River residents who have remembered Bohovesky’s death for more than 45 years, McCain’s return to prison represents another chapter in one of the community’s most painful and enduring cases.

Bohovesky was 16 when her life was cut short. The latest developments surrounding her killer have once again brought her name and the 1980 murder back into public attention.

Photo Courtesy: Senator Weber’s office

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