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State Police Release Names Involved In Fatal Shooting in the Town of Ramapo

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HILLBURN, NY – On January 3, 2024, at approximately 2:53 p.m., Troopers Steven J. Missale and Ronald Raymond observed a 2009 Mercedes E350 traveling southbound on I-87 in the area of mile marker 30.7, between exit 15 (NJ/I-287) and exit 15A (Sloatsburg). The vehicle matched the description of a suspect vehicle identified in an attempted homicide out of the city of Albany earlier in the day. A traffic stop was conducted on the Mercedes. The driver, later identified as Rakim A. Tillery, 35, of Albany, NY, immediately fired on the troopers who both returned fire, striking Tillery. Tillery was pronounced deceased on the scene.

Troopers Missale and Raymond, both assigned to Troop T, SP Newburgh, were transported to Westchester Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries and later released.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call SP Middletown at 845-344-5300.

On January 3, 2024, at about 2:55 p.m. State Troopers stopped a vehicle that was identified in a homicide Be On the Lookout (BOLO) on I-87 in the Town of Ramapo.

During the traffic stop the suspect and sole occupant of the vehicle opened fire on Troopers and Troopers discharged their division-issued firearms striking the subject. The subject is deceased. One Trooper sustained minor injuries and the other Trooper is unharmed.

There is currently no threat to the public and the investigation is ongoing. Any updates will be posted to the NYSP Newsroom. Anyone with information is asked to call SP Middletown at 845-344-5300.

Photo by Rockland Buff

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Crime

Haverstraw Police Arrest Suspect in Connection with Residential Burglary

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On March 31, 2025, the Haverstraw Police Department located and arrested Carlos Sepulveda, 43, of West Haverstraw, New York, in connection with a residential burglary that recently occurred. Mr. Sepulveda was identified as the suspect depicted in a circulated image related to the incident.
The arrest stemmed from an investigation into a reported incident where a suspect allegedly entered a residence and stole a package.
Mr. Sepulveda has been charged with the following:
Burglary 2nd Degree (Class C Felony)
Criminal Trespass 3rd Degree (Class B Misdemeanor)
Petit Larceny (Class A Misdemeanor)
Following his arrest, Mr. Sepulveda was arraigned in Clarkstown Justice Court. He was subsequently remanded to the Rockland County Correctional Facility.

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Crime

Rockland County Court Rejects Convicted Murderer’s Eighth Attempt To Vacate Conviction

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Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh, II, announced today that, in a decision issued on March 25, 2025, Rockland County Court Judge Kevin F. Russo rejected the latest attempt by convicted murderer Amer Zada to have his conviction vacated. The court noted that this motion is the eighth time Zada has sought to reverse or vacate his conviction.
In 1980, Zada was convicted of the murder of seventeen-year-old Shirley Smith in a Village of Nyack parking lot. He was also convicted of Attempted Sodomy in the First Degree and Aggravated Sexual Abuse as a result of his attack on Ms. Smith. At his trial, Zada was represented by William Kunstler, a world-renowned defense attorney who had gained notoriety for successfully defending many high profile and controversial clients.
In its decision, the court described the defendant’s current motion as being largely based on Zada’s claim that certain documents were not turned over to him prior to trial.
“The court found that Zada had failed to adequately establish this speculative claim as he provided no direct evidence that he had never received the documents. I would like to commend Executive Assistant District Attorney James Dolan for his dedication and professionalism representing the Office in this proceeding.” said District Attorney Tom Walsh.
The court also found that, even assuming that the documents had not been turned over, they were of little importance in the case against Zada and none of them were exculpatory within the meaning of the law. In addition, the court found that Zada’s motion to vacate his conviction raised only minor inconsistencies in the case against him, most of which were thoroughly explored by Mr. Kunstler during the trial. In conclusion, the court found that Zada had not offered anything to justify vacating his conviction.

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