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

Published

2 years ago

on

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.

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Crime

Haverstraw Man Arrested in Manny Lopez Baseball Field Burglary

Published

4 weeks ago

on

August 27, 2026

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A 39-year-old Haverstraw man has been arrested in connection with a burglary at the Manny Lopez Baseball Field, according to the Haverstraw Police Department.

Police said officers responded to the Village of Haverstraw property on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, following a report of a burglary.

During the investigation, officers determined that an unknown individual had unlawfully entered a building on the property and stolen two pieces of power equipment.

Following the investigation, police identified a suspect in connection with the burglary.

On Wednesday, Aug. 26, police arrested Robert Hernandez, 39, of Haverstraw, and charged him with burglary in the third degree and grand larceny in the fourth degree.

Hernandez was arraigned in Village of Haverstraw Justice Court and remanded to the Rockland County Correctional Facility.

The charges are allegations. A criminal complaint is merely an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Crime

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

Published

1 month ago

on

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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