Crime

Suffern Clergy Member Charged With Multiple Sex Crimes

Published

6 years ago

February 21, 2020

Suffern Police Department working in conjunction with the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Special Victims Unit charged Fidel Hernandez, age 51, with the crimes of Rape 1st Degree, Criminal Sexual Act 1st Degree, Sexual Abuse 1st Degree and Forcible Touching. Hernandez is a member of Tagaste Monastery and Sacred Heart Church located in the Village of Suffern.

The investigation started after a congregant notified a Priest at Tagaste Monastery about an incident that occurred in 2018 where she alleges she was sexually assaulted here in Suffern. The clergy member then contacted the NY Archdiocese who contacted the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office. The District Attorney’s Office then contacted the Suffern Police Department Detective Bureau who opened an investigation. During the course of the investigation a second victim came forward stating that she was sexually assaulted by the defendant as well.

This is an ongoing investigation and anyone that feels they were a victim or knows of a potential victim is asked to contact either the Suffern Police Department or the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office. Hernandez was arraigned this afternoon in Suffern Justice Court and released on $50,000 bail pending a future court date.

Crime

Spring Valley Man Arrested After Body Found in Parking Lot, Ramapo Police Say

Published

3 days ago

April 21, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

SPRING VALLEY, N.Y. — The Town of Ramapo Police Department has arrested a man following the discovery of a body in a parking lot Saturday morning.

Officers responded around 7:15 a.m. on April 18 to 18 Park Avenue in the South Spring Valley section of Ramapo. They found a 30-year-old man’s body beneath a parked pickup truck.

Police said the parked vehicle was not involved.

Investigators from the department’s Investigations Unit and Crash Investigation Unit launched a joint investigation. They reviewed surveillance footage, conducted interviews, and collected evidence.

Later that day, officers identified and located a suspect vehicle in Chestnut Ridge.

Police arrested Manuel Milton Yantalema Parco, 36, of Spring Valley.

He is charged with:

Leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death (D felony)
Concealment of a human corpse (E felony)
Tampering with physical evidence (E felony)

Police say the incident happened during the early morning hours. Investigators believe the victim was struck by a vehicle and dragged.

According to authorities, the suspect then drove into the parking lot. The victim was removed from the vehicle and placed beneath a parked pickup truck.

The defendant was arraigned in Ramapo Justice Court. Bail was set at $500,000 cash, $1,000,000 bond, or $2,500,000 partially secured bond.

He was remanded to the Rockland County Jail and is awaiting a future court appearance.

Police said the incident appears to be isolated. There is no ongoing threat to the public.

Crime

Attempted Murder Arrest After Barbershop Shooting in Ramapo; Suspect in Custody

Published

6 days ago

April 18, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

Police in Ramapo have arrested a suspect in connection with a late-night shooting that left a man seriously injured.

According to the Ramapo Police Department, officers responded around 10:30 p.m. on April 17, 2026, to reports of gunfire at Veloz Barbershop. When officers arrived, they found a 59-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

Emergency responders from Rockland Paramedics and Spring Hill Ambulance treated the victim at the scene before transporting him to Westchester Medical Center. Officials said he is currently listed in stable condition.

Authorities said the suspect fled the scene in a vehicle but was later located by a patrol unit from the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office near 150 West Eckerson Road. Responding Ramapo officers took the 50-year-old man into custody without incident.

The Spring Valley Police Department and New York State Police assisted at the scene. Investigators later recovered both the vehicle believed to have been used in the incident and the firearm at a separate location, with help from the Rockland County Sheriff’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

The suspect has been charged with attempted murder in the second degree, assault in the first degree, reckless endangerment in the first degree, and criminal use of a firearm. He was arraigned before Judge Silva, who set bail at $750,000 cash, $900,000 bond, or $1,000,000 partially secured bond. The defendant was remanded to the Rockland County Jail pending a future court appearance.

Police said the shooting appears to be an isolated incident and that there is no ongoing threat to the public.