Crime

Clarkstown PD Make Arrest in Valley Cottage Double Homicide

Published

4 years ago

May 31, 2020

VALLEY COTTAGE, NY – The Clarkstown Police Department has arrested an individual in connection with the May 26, 2020 Homicides of Wanda Castor, 63 and Kathleen Castor, 27 of Valley Cottage, NY. Robert C. Williams III, 32 of Hillcrest, NY, was arrested based on an investigation that spanned multiple states and included numerous law enforcement agencies. Mr. Williams has been charged with the following offenses, 2 counts of Murder 2nd (felony), Criminal Possession of Weapon 2nd (felony) and Criminal Contempt 1st(felony). He was arraigned via video conferencing in Rockland County Court on May 30, 2020 and remanded to the R.C. Jail.

District Attorney Tom Walsh said, “As we struggle living through a pandemic, the very core of Rockland’s way of life was rocked on May 26 upon hearing the news that Wanda Castor and her daughter, Kathleen Castor were brutally slain in a senseless act of rage and violence. Our sympathies go out to their family and most importantly to baby Anastasia, who was left at the scene unharmed but without a mother and grandmother. Rockland will not stand for these acts of violence. We will ensure justice is served. I commend the fantastic work of the Clarkstown Police Department and all the other agencies working to bring justice to this family.”

The following Law Enforcement Agencies have assisted the Clarkstown Police Department Detective Bureau in this extensive investigation:

NYPD Intelligence Division and Scuba Unit
Rockland County District Attorney
Rockland County Crime Analysis Center
Westchester County Crime Lab
FBI
ATF
Ramapo PD
Spring Valley PD
Haverstraw PD
Rockland County Sheriff Computer Crimes Task Force
Rockland County Solid Waste Authority
SUEZ Water

Video from the scene

Crime

HPD Announce Arrest Of A Staten Island Man For Burglary Of Pomona Business

Published

2 weeks ago

November 9, 2024

Rockland Report Admin

The Haverstraw Police Department announces the arrest of Jeffrey Reader (33) of Staten Island, New York in connection with a burglary of a Pomona business that occurred in March 2024.

Reader was located and arrested yesterday in Staten Island by the Haverstraw Police Department and transported back to Rockland County where he is charged with Burglary 3rd degree (Class D Felony), Criminal Mischief 4th degree (Class A Misdemeanor) and Petit Larceny (Class A Misdemeanor). Reader was arraigned last evening and remanded into custody of the Rockland County Correctional Facility.

It should be noted that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Crime

Haverstraw Man Sentenced To State Prison Following Jury Trial Conviction On Felony Sexual Abuse Charge

Published

3 weeks ago

November 1, 2024

Rockland Report Admin

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announced today that Elmer Oviedo Sandoval, 47 of Haverstraw, New York was sentenced to six years in state prison following an August 8, 2024, conviction after a Rockland County jury trial on one count of Course of Sexual Conduct Against a Child in the Second Degree (Class D Felony).

From 2016 to 2019, beginning when the victim was nine years old, the defendant subjected her to sexual contact on multiple occasions while she resided in two separate residences within the Town of Ramapo. In 2023, when the victim 16 years old, disclosed the previous abuse by the defendant to her mother and it was reported to the Ramapo Police Department.

District Attorney Tom Walsh said, “Sexual abuse of a minor is a heinous crime, leaving victims with lasting physical, emotional, and psychological effects. I admire the courage of the victim in this case who bravely came forward to tell her story. I commend the thorough and professional prosecution by the Assistant District Attorneys and investigation by the Ramapo Police Department working with the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Special Victims. My Office will continue to work tirelessly to protect and keep innocent children in our community safe.”

On October 29, 2024, the defendant was sentenced by Judge Anne Bianchi to six years in state prison followed by ten years of post-release supervision. Once the defendant is released from prison, he will be required to register as a Sex Offender.

The investigation was conducted by the Town of Ramapo Police Department with assistance from the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Special Victims Unit. Supervising Assistant District Attorney Gerard M. Damiani III and Senior Assistant District Attorney Kaitlin Deluca prosecuted the case.