Connect with us

Crime

Rockland Sheriff Warns of Jury Duty Phone Scam Demanding $4,500

Published

on

ROCKLAND COUNTY, N.Y. — The Rockland County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents in both Rockland and Orange counties about a phone scam in which callers impersonate law enforcement officers and demand money for fake warrants.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, multiple residents have reported receiving calls from scammers claiming to be deputies from the agency. The callers falsely state that the recipient has an active warrant for missing jury duty and must pay $4,500 to resolve it. Officials emphasized that the scheme is entirely fraudulent.

Authorities remind the public that the Sheriff’s Office does not call residents to demand payments, personal information, or monetary transfers related to warrants, jury duty, or any law enforcement matter.

Residents who receive such calls are urged not to engage with the scammers and to hang up immediately.

Anyone with questions or who believes they may have been targeted is encouraged to contact the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office directly at 845-638-5400.

Officials are asking the community to share the message to help prevent additional victims.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Crime

Seven Arrested After Haverstraw Police Execute Search Warrants in Narcotics Investigation

Published

on

HAVERSTRAW, N.Y. — The Haverstraw Police Department executed two search warrants at residences within the Village of Haverstraw during the early morning hours of February 11, 2026, resulting in seven arrests.

Police said all individuals located at the residences were taken into custody without incident.

Authorities reported recovering a significant quantity of narcotics along with packaging materials consistent with the sale and distribution of controlled substances.

The following individuals were charged:

  • Henry Villegas, 40, of Haverstraw: Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia (2nd Degree); Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (7th Degree)

  • Claudio Santana, 42, of Haverstraw: Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (7th Degree); Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia (2nd Degree)

  • Richard O. Estrella, 35, of Garnerville: Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (1st Degree, 2 counts); Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance (1st Degree, 2 counts)

  • Vanessa Quezada, 33, of Garnerville: Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (1st Degree, 2 counts); Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance (1st Degree, 2 counts)

  • Monica E. Avila, 35, of Nanuet: Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (1st Degree, 2 counts); Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance (1st Degree, 2 counts)

  • Dahon D. Alston, 26, of Haverstraw: Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (1st Degree, 2 counts); Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance (1st Degree, 2 counts)

  • Christian E. Minaya, 31, of Garnerville: Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (1st Degree, 2 counts); Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance (1st Degree, 2 counts)

The investigation was led by the Haverstraw Police Department Special Operations Unit, with assistance from the department’s Detective Bureau and Patrol Division.

“These arrests are the result of a coordinated, focused investigation targeting the distribution of dangerous narcotics within our community,” said Chief John Gould Jr. “We will continue to take proactive measures to identify and dismantle drug trafficking operations that threaten the safety and quality of life of our residents.”

Assisting agencies included the New York State Police, the FBI Safe Streets Task Force–Westchester, the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Rockland County REACT Team, and the Rockland County Intelligence Center.

All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Continue Reading

Crime

Spring Valley Police, FBI Recover Missing Juveniles After Ransom Threat

Published

on

SPRING VALLEY, N.Y. — Spring Valley Police, with assistance from federal authorities including the FBI NY–Westchester Safe Streets Task Force, successfully recovered multiple missing juveniles following an investigation prompted by an alleged ransom threat.

According to police, officers located a missing 12-year-old girl on Sunday, February 8, 2026, after her parents reported she had been missing since the early morning hours. The family also reported receiving a phone call from a foreign phone number in which the caller claimed to have their child and demanded $1,000, threatening the family would never see her again if the demand was not met.

Spring Valley Police officers and detectives immediately launched an investigation. Due to the seriousness of the report and the potential risk to the child, federal partners were brought in to assist.

Through coordinated efforts between local and federal law enforcement, the missing juvenile was located at a residence in Spring Valley. During the course of the investigation, three additional missing juveniles from other Rockland County jurisdictions were also found at the same location.

Authorities said that, at this time, none of the juveniles appeared to have been harmed or held against their will. The investigation remains ongoing, particularly regarding the alleged ransom demand and the circumstances surrounding the juveniles’ presence at the residence.

The Spring Valley Police Department emphasized that the response was based on a report of a potentially kidnapped juvenile and credited the swift cooperation between local and federal agencies for the safe recovery of all involved.

Information and photo courtesy of Monsey Scoop.

Continue Reading

Trending