Crime

Three Arrested for Grand Larceny Thanks To The Clarkstown Police Department

Published

3 years ago

March 8, 2024

On March 4, 2023, at approximately 2:20 pm the Clarkstown Police Department responded to the Rockland Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership on Rt. 304 in Nanuet, NY regarding a key fob swap incident.

Arriving officers were told by an employee of Rockland Chrysler Jeep Dodge that two males entered the dealership looking to purchase a used Jeep Grand Cherokee earlier in the day. The dealership provided a key fob to the men so that they could inspect the vehicle, it was at this time that the employee believes the suspects switched the fobs, handing the fraudulent fob to the salesman. This went unnoticed until after both suspects had left the dealership.

The Clarkstown Detective Bureau were aware of similar complaints from several dealerships in the region. A detail was created consisting of detectives, CPD Street Crime Unit and midnight patrol officers. The thought was that the suspects would return that evening to steal the vehicle in question. At approximately 11:35 pm on March 4, 2024, the suspects vehicle from earlier in the day did in fact return to the dealership and two males were observed entering the Grand Cherokee on the dealership lot. As an officer approached them and boxed the vehicle in, the two suspects exited the Jeep and ran from the scene with our officers in pursuit. Both suspects were apprehended and identified as Joel Belen, a 19 year old male from the Bronx, and Mankamang Ceesay, a 20 year old male from the Bronx. Mr. Ceesay was located only after two of our officers entered the swampy area of the cloverleaf of Palisades Interstate Parkway and the NYS Thruway. The two officers were assisted by the CPD Drone Unit and NYS Police in locating and removing the suspect to safety. The suspect, when apprehended, appeared to be in distress caused by the frigid temperature of the swampy water. EMS was on scene and he was transported to an area hospital for treatment.

As the foot pursuits were occurring the driver of the suspects vehicle failed to stop for our trailing detectives. The suspect subsequently crashed his vehicle in the area of Old Mill Rd and Snake Hill Rd. He then attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended after a brief foot chase. The third suspect (driver of the vehicle) was identified as Isaac Boateng, a 21 year old male from the Bronx.

Mr. Joel Belen was placed under arrest and charged with Grand Larceny 3 (felony), Grand Larceny Auto (felony), Obstruct Governmental Administration (misdemeanor) and Conspiracy (misdemeanor). Mr. Belen was arraigned in the Town of Clarkstown Justice Court where bail was set at $10,000.00. He was placed in the custody of the RC Sherriffs and transported to the RC Jail.

Mr. Mankamang Ceesay was placed under arrest and charged with Grand Larceny 3 (felony), Grand Larceny Auto (felony), Obstruct Governmental Administration (misdemeanor) and False Impersonation (misdemeanor). Mr. Ceesay was arraigned in the Town of Clarkstown Justice Court and released on his own recognizance.

Mr. Isaac Boateng was placed under and charged with 2 counts of Grand Larceny 3 (felony), Resisting Arrest (misdemeanor), Conspiracy 5 (misdemeanor) and several NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law infractions. Mr. Boateng was arraigned in the Town of Clarkstown Justice Court where he was remanded to RC Jail on a warrant.

It should be noted that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation and that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Crime

Victor Romero Indicted on Second-Degree Murder Charge in Koran Irvine Shooting

Published

1 week ago

October 27, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

A grand jury in Lower Manhattan indicted former NYPD detective Victor Romero on a second-degree murder charge Tuesday afternoon, upgrading the charge from manslaughter as the investigation into a fatal shooting continues.

Romero, a Haverstraw resident, was seen publicly for the first time Tuesday as he arrived at a Lower Manhattan courthouse in connection with the fatal shooting of Koran Irvine on the George Washington Bridge. He later left the courthouse following a brief court appearance.

The indictment marks a significant development in the case against Romero, who was initially charged with murder before being arraigned last week on a reduced charge of first-degree manslaughter.

Romero posted $1 million bail and remains free while the case proceeds through the court system.

Source: ABC 7 NY

Crime

Haverstraw Police Officer Run Over During Pursuit; 3 Officers Injured

Published

1 week ago

October 26, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

October 26, 2026 — Three Haverstraw police officers were injured after a suspect allegedly struck and ran over an officer while fleeing police during a response to a reported attempted break-in on October 23, according to the Haverstraw Police Department.

Police said officers responded to a residence in the Village of Haverstraw at approximately 4:41 p.m. for a report of a disorderly male attempting to break into a residence.

Responding officers located a vehicle matching the description provided. As officers gave the driver verbal commands to exit the vehicle, the suspect allegedly accelerated directly toward an officer, striking and running over the officer before fleeing the scene.

The suspect then led officers on a pursuit southbound along Route 9W into Clarkstown before turning northbound toward Haverstraw, police said.

The pursuit ended after the suspect allegedly crashed into a Haverstraw Police Department vehicle occupied by police personnel. The suspect was subsequently taken into custody.

Three Haverstraw police officers were transported to local hospitals for treatment of injuries sustained during the incident. The suspect, identified as Isaac Catedral, 24, of Haverstraw, was also transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation.

Suspect Faces Multiple Charges

According to police, Catedral faces the following charges:

Aggravated Attempted Murder
Assault in the Second Degree
Assault in the Third Degree
Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree
Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree
Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree

Catedral was arraigned on the morning of October 26 in the Village of Haverstraw Justice Court and remanded to the Rockland County Correctional Facility.

Multiple Agencies Assist

The Haverstraw Police Department received assistance from the Stony Point Police Department, Rockland County Sheriff’s Office, Clarkstown Police Department, New York State Police, and Ramapo Police Department.

The incident remains a serious reminder of the dangers police officers face while responding to emergency calls and attempting to apprehend suspects.

Legal Notice: A criminal complaint is an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.