Police Blotter

ARREST MADE: LARGE QUANTITY FIREWORKS

On June 28th, 2022, at about 4:49pm, New Rochelle Police received a tip that large boxes of fireworks were being loaded into a van on St John’s Place.  New Rochelle Police responded to the area to investigate and did observe a van driving near the location mentioned by the anonymous caller.  A traffic stop was conducted, and Officers observed in plain view, numerous large boxes of fireworks.  The occupants of the vehicle were arrested, and the fireworks were taken and were further secured by the Westchester County Police Hazardous Device Unit.

ARRESTED: Paul Fortuna, 60 years of age, of New Rochelle, NY and Michael Porretto, 53 years of age, of New Rochelle, NY.

CHARGES: Penal Law 270.00 Unlawfully Dealing with Fireworks and Dangerous Fireworks – A Misdemeanor

STOLEN CATALYTIC CONVERTERS RECOVERED

On June 21st, 2022, at about 2:15PM, New Rochelle Detectives were alerted by the Westchester County Police Real Time Crime Center that a Dodge Challenger suspected of being used by catalytic converter thieves entered New Rochelle via I-95 at Exit 15. Detectives canvassed the area and located the vehicle in the Home Depot parking lot. The operator of the vehicle was observed to be in the middle of exchanging a suit case with a driver of black Jeep Cherokee.  Upon seeing the police, the suspect with the Dodge Challenger then fled on foot and the Jeep fled via I-95.  The suitcase was left, and 3 catalytic converters were found in the suitcase.  The Dodge Challenger was impounded for further investigation and a total of 36 catalytic converters were found in the vehicle along with a Sawzall and extra blades.  The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call the New Rochelle Police Department at 914-654-2300.

ARREST MADE: EXTORTION 

On June 24th, 2022, New Rochelle Detectives arrested one Jose Maldonado, 51 years of age, of the Bronx, for Larceny by Extortion.  Mr. Maldonado was involved in a scheme where a New Rochelle resident was contacted via telephone and told that her grandson was in custody and injured, and that she needed to get $30000 cash to secure his release.  Multiple calls were made preying on the emotions of the victim for her grandson and some money was given to the suspect.  New Rochelle Police were contacted, and a rouse was set up to have the suspect get the rest of the cash.  As the suspect approached the house, New Rochelle Detectives converged on the suspect and he was taken into custody without incident.  This type of scheme is a common occurrence and residents should take great caution when receiving calls such as these where professional thieves use techniques to prey on the emotions of unsuspecting victims.

ARRESTED: Jose Augustin Maldonado, 51 years of age, of the Bronx, NY

CHARGES: Penal Law 155.35 Grand Larceny in the 3rd Degree – D Felony

NEW ROCHELLE MAN SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS IN STATE PRISON FOR RAPE AND SEXUAL ABUSE OF A MINOR

Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah announced that New Rochelle resident Jamaal Jackson was sentenced to state prison for rape and sexual abuse of a minor.  

Jackson, 43, was sentenced on May 31, 2022, to 25 years in state prison, with 20 years of post-release supervision. Upon his release from prison, Jackson will be required to register as a sex offender. Jackson was convicted by a jury after trial of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree and Rape in the First Degree, both felonies, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a misdemeanor, for his abuse and rape of a 12-year-old in 2018.

“This trial demonstrates how the prosecutors and victim specialists of this Office, working with our law enforcement partners, will do everything within our power to fight for the most vulnerable victims, especially children,” DA Rocah said. “We commend and recognize the bravery of the victim and hope this conviction and sentence provides some justice for the victim and the victim’s family.” 

The New Rochelle Police Department arrested Jackson on September 11, 2020, following an investigation. The New York City Police Department assisted in the investigation.  

The case was tried before Judge Susan Cacace in Westchester County Court, and was prosecuted by Child Abuse Deputy Bureau Chief Owein Levin and Assistant District Attorney Mollie O’Rourke of the Special Prosecutions Division. 

ARREST MADE: STOLEN AUTO 

On June 2ND, 2022, at about 2:30am, New Rochelle Detectives observed a Toyota Highlander with no license plates driving through a neighborhood on the southwest side of the city.  When police attempted to stop the vehicle, it fled Northbound on I-95.  Detectives were able to follow the vehicle undetected on I-95 where it exited in Mamaroneck and then immediately returned to I-95 South.  While traveling Southbound between Exits 16 and 15 in New Rochelle, the vehicle encountered stopped traffic.  Detectives, who were following it undetected, called for more units to surround and box in the suspect vehicle.  When Detectives pulled behind the suspect vehicle in an unmarked police car and attempted to pull the vehicle over, the suspects put their vehicle in reverse, and rammed the police car, injuring the two officers inside.  The Detectives then apprehended the suspects and placed all 4 occupants under arrest.  The vehicle was confirmed to be stolen out of New Jersey.

ARRESTED: Tariq Kyam, 56 years of age, from Newark, NJ; Alex Carroll, 35 years of age, from Newark, NJ; David Fate, 38 years of age, from Newark, NJ; Kymeasha Selph, 34 years of age, from Newark, NJ.

Suspects Kyam, Carroll and Fate are all wanted by Saddle Brook, NJ Police for 6 robberies, 1 armed robbery as well as motor vehicle thefts in four different counties in New Jersey.  Full extradition warrants are forthcoming.

CHARGES: All were charged with: Penal Law 165.50 Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 3rd degree – D felony. In addition to the above, Mr. Tariqu Kyam was charged with: Penal Law 120.05 Assault 2nd Degree; injuring a police officer – D Felony and Penal Law 270.25 Unlawfully Fleeing a Police Officer 3rd Degree – A Misdemeanor.

VIRGINIA MAN INDICTED ON MURDER CHARGES FOR FATAL SHOOTING IN NEW ROCHELLE

Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah announced that Virginia resident Percell Ross Blakely was indicted for robbing and fatally shooting a New Rochelle man in 2021.

Ross Blakely, 52, of Covington, Virginia, was indicted by a Westchester County Grand Jury for Murder in the First Degree, two counts of Murder in the Second Degree, two counts of Robbery in the First Degree, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, all felonies. The defendant was arraigned on June 2, 2022 and is being held without bail.

The Indictment alleges that on Oct. 14, 2021, at approximately 2:46 a.m., Ross Blakely forcibly stole property from and shot 62-year-old Andres Valenzuela on Main Street in New Rochelle. The victim was transported to New Rochelle Hospital, where he died.

The New Rochelle Police Department arrested Ross Blakely on Oct. 17, 2021, following an investigation, with assistance from the FBI’s Westchester Safe Streets Task Force, the Real Time Crime Center of the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, the Covington Police Department, the Fairfield Police Department and the New Haven Police Department.

The case is before Judge Anne Minihan in Westchester County Court, and is being prosecuted by Senior Trial Counsel Brian Bendish and Assistant District Attorney Catalina Blanco Buitrago.

The charges against the defendant are merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

STOLEN AUTO AND GUN ARREST

On June 1st, at about 4:42pm, New Rochelle Police were alerted by the Westchester County Police Real Time Crime Center that a stolen car was possibly entering New Rochelle from I-95 South. New Rochelle Detectives took up observation of I-95 and observed the vehicle travelling South and get off at Exit 15. When Detectives attempted to stop the vehicle on the exit ramp a brief pursuit ensued, and the vehicle fled South on I-95 again.  Detectives terminated the pursuit but did observe the vehicle take Exit 13, Connor Street.  Westchester County Police and NYPD responded to assist in searching for the vehicle.  New Rochelle Detectives spotted the vehicle stuck in traffic and made an approach on foot.  The two vehicle occupants observed the police converging and tried to flee on foot.  After a brief foot chase, both suspects were apprehended.  A search of the stolen vehicle revealed a loaded Smith and Wesson 9MM handgun.

ARRESTED: Victor Bourne, 23 years of age, of Brooklyn, NY; Naquan McMaster, 28 years of age, of Brooklyn, NY.

CHARGES: Penal Law 165.50 Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 3rd degree; over $3000 value – D Felony; Penal Law 265.03 Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd degree; loaded firearm – D Felony.

ARRESTS MADE – STOLEN AUTO AND POSSESSION OF STOLEN PROPERTY

On May 31st at about 2:37pm, the Westchester County Police Real Time Crime Center notified New Rochelle Police that a stolen vehicle was traveling into New Rochelle on Lincoln Avenue.  New Rochelle Police Officers located the vehicle on North Avenue near the Intermodal Transportation Center parking garage and confirmed that the vehicle was stolen out Bridgeport, CT.  A felony car stop was conducted, and the 4 male occupants of the vehicle were placed under arrest.  A search of the vehicle revealed numerous stolen debit cards, fraudulent drivers’ licenses, stolen checks and drugs.

ARRESTED: Bakary Ceesay, 27 years of age, of the Bronx, NY; Edirissa Fall, 27 years of age, of the Bronx, NY; Richard Bah, 18 years of age, of the Bronx, NY; Asif Zakaria, 23 years of age, of the Bronx, NY.

CHARGES: Penal Law 165.50 Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 3rd degree; over $3000 value – D Felony; Penal Law 165.45 Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 4th Degree; credit card – E Felony; Penal Law 165.40 Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 5th Degree – A Misdemeanor; Penal Law 220.03 Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th Degree – A Misdemeanor; Penal Law 170.25 Possession of a Forged Instrument 2nd degree – D Felony; Penal Law 155.35 Grand Larceny 3rd Degree – D Felony.