Crime

Spring Valley Police Seize Gun and Narcotics in North Main Street Arrests

Published

9 months ago

August 3, 2025

SPRING VALLEY, NY — A routine patrol by the Spring Valley Police Department led to the arrest of two individuals and the seizure of a loaded 9mm handgun and illegal narcotics following a suspected drug transaction in the area of North Main Street and Dr. Berg.

At approximately 9:04 AM, a patrol officer observed what appeared to be a hand-to-hand drug exchange between a male and a female. Officers stopped both individuals for further investigation.

During the encounter, the male suspect, later identified as Lester Watkins, 42, of Spring Valley, was found to be in possession of a 9mm handgun and illegal narcotics. Watkins was immediately taken into custody and is facing federal charges. He is currently being held pending arraignment.

The female suspect, identified as Miledy Bautista-Rivera, 19, also of Spring Valley, was found with illegal narcotics and was arrested. She has been charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree (PL 220.03), a Class A misdemeanor. Bautista-Rivera was released on a desk appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in court at a later date.

This arrest highlights the ongoing efforts by the Spring Valley Police Department to combat drug-related crime and the illegal possession of firearms within the community.

Photo by Bergen First Response.

Crime

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

Published

29 minutes 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.

Crime

Spring Valley Double Murder Arrest: Two Charged in 2025 Dutch Lane Shooting

Published

16 hours ago

April 18, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

On September 20, 2025, around 5:12 PM, officers from the Spring Valley Police Department responded to reports of gunfire near 2 Dutch Lane. They found a 20-year-old man with a gunshot wound and began CPR until EMS arrived. The victim was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

After several months of investigation, on April 16, 2026, police arrested two suspects:

Doodly Metellus, 21, of Ramapo
Smay Dornaison, 20, of Spring Valley

Metellus was found with a loaded firearm at the time of his arrest. He faces charges of second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon. Dornaison is also charged with second-degree murder.

Both were arraigned in Spring Valley Justice Court and are being held at the Rockland County Jail.

Authorities emphasize that the charges are accusations, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Anyone with information is asked to contact the police at 845-356-7400.