Crime

Important Fraud Prevention Notice from Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc.

Published

3 years ago

March 30, 2024

Orange and Rockland Utilities (O&R) today warned its customers that crooks have launched a new round of predatory phone calls aimed at stealing O&R customers’ money. This latest round of harassing phone calls started last week when O&R customers reported a rash of phone calls seeking payment for bogus O&R bills.The scheme goes this way: Crooks posing as O&R employees call unsuspecting customers, inform them that their O&R account has been suspended for non-payment and that an O&R crew will be at their home in 15 minutes to disconnect their electric service.That threat is quickly followed by a demand for immediate payment of the bogus bill balance by prepaid debit card. Customers who have challenged the crook’s report about the fraudulent bill, saying that they checked their account balance online during the phone call, are dismissed as incorrect. The crook then aggressively renews the demand for immediate payment until the customer agrees to pay or hangs up on the crook.

Here are two big reasons not to believe any crook who makes a shutoff threat:

• NO PREPAID DEBIT CARDS – O&R does not accept bill payment for electric and gas utility bills by Green Dot or any other prepaid debit cards. Never has.

• NO IMMEDIATE SHUTOFF – Disconnecting O&R electric or gas service for non-payment of bills involves a multi-step process – including written communications from O&R to the customer over a period of several days, or even weeks — not hours. That process is regulated by the NYS Public Service Commission and NJ Board of Public Utilities.

Customer vigilance is key to fighting off these crooks.

Remember, if you are feeling threatened or otherwise uncomfortable about your security during the exchange, immediately report the incident to your local police department at 911.

Crime

Victor Romero Indicted on Second-Degree Murder Charge in Koran Irvine Shooting

Published

1 week ago

October 27, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

A grand jury in Lower Manhattan indicted former NYPD detective Victor Romero on a second-degree murder charge Tuesday afternoon, upgrading the charge from manslaughter as the investigation into a fatal shooting continues.

Romero, a Haverstraw resident, was seen publicly for the first time Tuesday as he arrived at a Lower Manhattan courthouse in connection with the fatal shooting of Koran Irvine on the George Washington Bridge. He later left the courthouse following a brief court appearance.

The indictment marks a significant development in the case against Romero, who was initially charged with murder before being arraigned last week on a reduced charge of first-degree manslaughter.

Romero posted $1 million bail and remains free while the case proceeds through the court system.

Source: ABC 7 NY

Crime

Haverstraw Police Officer Run Over During Pursuit; 3 Officers Injured

Published

1 week ago

October 26, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

October 26, 2026 — Three Haverstraw police officers were injured after a suspect allegedly struck and ran over an officer while fleeing police during a response to a reported attempted break-in on October 23, according to the Haverstraw Police Department.

Police said officers responded to a residence in the Village of Haverstraw at approximately 4:41 p.m. for a report of a disorderly male attempting to break into a residence.

Responding officers located a vehicle matching the description provided. As officers gave the driver verbal commands to exit the vehicle, the suspect allegedly accelerated directly toward an officer, striking and running over the officer before fleeing the scene.

The suspect then led officers on a pursuit southbound along Route 9W into Clarkstown before turning northbound toward Haverstraw, police said.

The pursuit ended after the suspect allegedly crashed into a Haverstraw Police Department vehicle occupied by police personnel. The suspect was subsequently taken into custody.

Three Haverstraw police officers were transported to local hospitals for treatment of injuries sustained during the incident. The suspect, identified as Isaac Catedral, 24, of Haverstraw, was also transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation.

Suspect Faces Multiple Charges

According to police, Catedral faces the following charges:

Aggravated Attempted Murder
Assault in the Second Degree
Assault in the Third Degree
Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree
Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree
Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree

Catedral was arraigned on the morning of October 26 in the Village of Haverstraw Justice Court and remanded to the Rockland County Correctional Facility.

Multiple Agencies Assist

The Haverstraw Police Department received assistance from the Stony Point Police Department, Rockland County Sheriff’s Office, Clarkstown Police Department, New York State Police, and Ramapo Police Department.

The incident remains a serious reminder of the dangers police officers face while responding to emergency calls and attempting to apprehend suspects.

Legal Notice: A criminal complaint is an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.