Crime

Three Arrested for Grand Larceny Thanks To The Clarkstown Police Department

Published

2 years ago

March 8, 2024

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.

Crime

Spring Valley Man Arrested After Body Found in Parking Lot, Ramapo Police Say

Published

3 days ago

April 21, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

SPRING VALLEY, N.Y. — The Town of Ramapo Police Department has arrested a man following the discovery of a body in a parking lot Saturday morning.

Officers responded around 7:15 a.m. on April 18 to 18 Park Avenue in the South Spring Valley section of Ramapo. They found a 30-year-old man’s body beneath a parked pickup truck.

Police said the parked vehicle was not involved.

Investigators from the department’s Investigations Unit and Crash Investigation Unit launched a joint investigation. They reviewed surveillance footage, conducted interviews, and collected evidence.

Later that day, officers identified and located a suspect vehicle in Chestnut Ridge.

Police arrested Manuel Milton Yantalema Parco, 36, of Spring Valley.

He is charged with:

Leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death (D felony)
Concealment of a human corpse (E felony)
Tampering with physical evidence (E felony)

Police say the incident happened during the early morning hours. Investigators believe the victim was struck by a vehicle and dragged.

According to authorities, the suspect then drove into the parking lot. The victim was removed from the vehicle and placed beneath a parked pickup truck.

The defendant was arraigned in Ramapo Justice Court. Bail was set at $500,000 cash, $1,000,000 bond, or $2,500,000 partially secured bond.

He was remanded to the Rockland County Jail and is awaiting a future court appearance.

Police said the incident appears to be isolated. There is no ongoing threat to the public.

Crime

Attempted Murder Arrest After Barbershop Shooting in Ramapo; Suspect in Custody

Published

6 days ago

April 18, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

Police in Ramapo have arrested a suspect in connection with a late-night shooting that left a man seriously injured.

According to the Ramapo Police Department, officers responded around 10:30 p.m. on April 17, 2026, to reports of gunfire at Veloz Barbershop. When officers arrived, they found a 59-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

Emergency responders from Rockland Paramedics and Spring Hill Ambulance treated the victim at the scene before transporting him to Westchester Medical Center. Officials said he is currently listed in stable condition.

Authorities said the suspect fled the scene in a vehicle but was later located by a patrol unit from the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office near 150 West Eckerson Road. Responding Ramapo officers took the 50-year-old man into custody without incident.

The Spring Valley Police Department and New York State Police assisted at the scene. Investigators later recovered both the vehicle believed to have been used in the incident and the firearm at a separate location, with help from the Rockland County Sheriff’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

The suspect has been charged with attempted murder in the second degree, assault in the first degree, reckless endangerment in the first degree, and criminal use of a firearm. He was arraigned before Judge Silva, who set bail at $750,000 cash, $900,000 bond, or $1,000,000 partially secured bond. The defendant was remanded to the Rockland County Jail pending a future court appearance.

Police said the shooting appears to be an isolated incident and that there is no ongoing threat to the public.