Crime

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

Published

10 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

Two Arrested in Orangetown Package Scam Involving $43K in Fraud Losses

Published

3 weeks ago

May 1, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

ORANGETOWN, N.Y. — Detectives with the Orangetown Police Department arrested two men after intercepting a suspected fraud scheme that funneled tens of thousands of dollars in cash to a vacant residence in Tappan, authorities said.

Police said the investigation began on April 28, 2026, when a man from Utah reported that his wife had been scammed out of $6,700 through a bank account scheme. Authorities determined the money had been sent via a package delivery service to an unoccupied home in the Tappan section of Town of Orangetown.

Detectives conducting surveillance observed two individuals retrieve three packages from the residence before attempting to leave the area. Officers stopped the pair and recovered the parcels, which investigators say were tied to three separate fraud cases across the country.

According to police:

One package contained $6,700 linked to a bank scam involving a victim in Utah
A second package contained $12,500 connected to a computer virus scam targeting a victim in Illinois
A third package contained $24,500 associated with an FBI impersonation and identity theft scam involving a victim in Colorado

Authorities identified the suspects as Tian Quan Xie, 20, of Brooklyn, and Wei Ping Sun, 39, of Queens. Both were charged with third-degree grand larceny and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, each classified as felonies under New York law.

The suspects were arraigned in Orangetown Justice Court and released pending a return court date of May 18, 2026.

The Orangetown Police Department’s Detective Bureau credited the Rockland County Intelligence Unit for its assistance in the investigation.

Crime

Article Update : Spring Valley Man Charged After Haverstraw Officer Struck by Vehicle

Published

3 weeks ago

April 29, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

Authorities have identified and charged a suspect in connection with an incident in which a police officer was struck by a vehicle during a traffic stop in the Village of Haverstraw.

According to the Town of Haverstraw Police Department, Peter Theus, 34, of Spring Valley, has been charged with second-degree assault, third-degree unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, and second-degree obstructing governmental administration.

Police said Theus was arraigned in the Village of Haverstraw Justice Court and remanded to the Rockland County Correctional Facility in lieu of bail set at $100,000 cash, $200,000 bond, or $300,000 partially secured bond.

The charges stem from a traffic stop incident in which an officer was struck by a fleeing vehicle. The injured officer was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Officials emphasized that the charges are accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.