Connect with us

Crime

Troopers Issue Nearly 14,000 Tickets, Arrest 155 For Impaired Driving During Campaign Over The Thanksgiving Holiday

Published

5 years ago

on

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New York State Police issued 13,887 tickets during this year’s Thanksgiving traffic enforcement initiative, which targeted unsafe driving behaviors during the holiday weekend. The special traffic enforcement period, which is funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, ran from Wednesday, November 25 through Sunday, November 29. State Troopers also arrested 155 people for DWI and investigated 757 crashes, including three fatalities, during the holiday period. The three fatal crashes that NYSP responded to occurred in Allegany, Nassau and Orange counties.

“Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs endangers every single traveler on the road, and it simply will not be tolerated,” said Governor Cuomo. “Not only during the holidays, but at all times, the message is clear – be responsible and drive sober or make plans for finding a safe ride home. It’s literally that simple and by following those rules, our roads will be safer and lives will be saved.”

The State Police supplemented regular patrols statewide during this crackdown with fixed sobriety checkpoints, an underage drinker initiative and the “Operation Hang Up” initiative, which targets distracted drivers by utilizing Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement patrol vehicles to better locate drivers talking or texting on handheld devices. These unmarked vehicles blend in with everyday traffic but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated.

Acting State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen said, “I commend our Troopers and our local law enforcement partners for the work they do each day to keep our roads safe. State Police will continue to be highly visible throughout the holiday season, looking out for reckless and aggressive drivers. We urge drivers to do their part by making the right choices when they get behind the wheel – drive sober, follow posted speed limits and put away your smart phones.”

GTSC Chair and DMV Commissioner Mark J. F. Schroeder said, “I applaud all law enforcement who took part in this mobilization to keep our roads as safe as possible. We want everyone to have a safe and happy holiday season. No one’s holiday memories should be marred by a needless tragedy. If you plan to drink as part of your celebration, please do not drive. Having a plan to designate a sober driver or arrange a ride home could save a life.”

As part of the enforcement, Troopers also targeted speeding and aggressive drivers across the state. Below is a sampling of the total tickets that were issued.

Speeding 4,871

Distracted Driving 228

Seatbelt violations 1,825

Move Over Law 188

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Crime

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

Published

3 days ago

on

April 21, 2026

By

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.

Continue Reading

Crime

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

Published

5 days ago

on

April 18, 2026

By

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.

Continue Reading

Trending