Crime

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

Published

6 months ago

May 1, 2026

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

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.