State police in Fulton arrested Franklin D. Hill, 37, from Phoenix, on one count of second-degree burglary, a class C felony and two counts of second-degree menacing, a class A misdemeanor.
On April 24, 2020, at approximately 8:20 p.m., state police responded to a reported burglary in progress at 24 W. Eleventh St., Apt. D7, Granby.
Following an investigation, Hill was arrested for forcing his way into the apartment through a locked rear door, into an upstairs bedroom, and threatening a male and female victim with a pellet handgun. Hill reportedly then ran out the back door as troopers arrived on the scene. He was subsequently taken into custody without incident.
Hill was processed at SP Fulton and transported to the Oswego County Jail for Centralized Court Arraignment.
State police were assisted at the scene by the City of Fulton Police Department and the Oswego County Sheriff’s Office.
Utica man arrested following a domestic incident in the town of Marcy
State police arrested Israel Crespo, 47, of Utica, for first-degree burglary, a B felony; third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a D felony; and first-degree criminal contempt, an E felony.
Police say on April 29, 2020, at approximately 6 a.m., Crespo went to the residence of a female acquaintance in Marcy, forced his way into the house and threatened to harm her with a knife. Crespo then left the residence and the victim contacted 911. The victim, who had an active order of protection against Crespo, was not injured.
Crespo’s vehicle was located parked in the roadway in front of 1219 Miller St., Utica. Troopers along with deputies from the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, responded to the area in an attempt to locate him. Crespo was observed running on foot from Miller Street and was apprehended after a short foot pursuit near the corner of Miller Street and Eagle Street in the city of Utica.
Investigators searched Crespo’s vehicle and subsequently located a knife and box cutter.
Crespo was processed and transported to the Oneida County Jail to await Centralized Court Arraignment.
State police were assisted at the scene by the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office.
State police investigate fraudulent COVID-19 facemasks sales
Members of the public are asked to be on the lookout for fraudulent social media ads selling custom made COVID-19 facemasks via the internet. Troopers in North Syracuse have received numerous reports of orders placed for custom facemasks via the internet where payment was rendered, but the product ordered was never delivered as agreed. Attempts by customers to follow up with the seller have been met with no response, with the seller blocking the account of the customer from further communication.
If you or someone you know has placed an order online for a facemask or made payment for a mask and feel as though you have been the victim of fraud, you are asked to provide your contact information to the state police at 315.366.6000 in reference to the ongoing investigation by Trooper Schug (case#9539453) SP North Syracuse. If you have any information regarding the social media profile above or the individual using it, the state police would like to speak with you regarding this case.
Troopers are investigating a car vs. pedestrian crash in Oneida County
State police in Marcy is investigating a car vs. pedestrian crash that occurred on Cosby Manor Road in Deerfield, Oneida County.
The investigation has revealed, at approximately 11:10 a.m., a 6-year-old female was walking east on Cosby Manor Road with a friend, when she turned and ran north into the roadway in front of a 2008 Jeep, driven by Timothy V. Flihan, 24, of Utica, who was eastbound on Cosby Manor Road. Flihan swerved in an attempt to avoid hitting the child, but he was unable to avoid striking the girl.
The 6-year-old Deerfield resident was transported to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital by Kunkel Ambulance with non-life threatening injuries. Flihan was not injured in the crash.
Flihan tested negative at the scene for alcohol or drugs in his system. No traffic tickets were issued to the driver. The cause of the crash appears to be pedestrian error.
Blossvale man killed in UTV crash
On May 16, 2020, at 11:55 p.m., state police in Lowville responded to a reported UTV crash that occurred at the Adirondack Speedway parking lot located at 8403 Artz Road in New Bremen, Lewis County.
The investigation has revealed 31-year-old Danielluis T. Diaz of Blossvale was operating his 2017 CAN AM Maverick X# UTV on a gravel parking lot when he lost control after striking a rut and overturned. Diaz, who was not wearing a helmet or seatbelt was partially ejected. He was transported to Lewis County General Hospital with severe head injuries and was pronounced deceased.
The investigation continues.
Troopers are investigating a crash in the town of Van Buren
State police in Lysander investigated a crash on East Sorrell Hill Road at the intersection with West Sorrell Hill Road in the town of Van Buren.
On May 25, 2020, at approximately 6 p.m., a 2001 Dodge Pickup truck, operated by Jesse William Hummell, 22, from Memphis, was traveling east on East Sorrell Hill Road when he approached the intersection of West Sorrell Hill Road, he lost control, struck a guide rail, continued down an earth embankment and struck a fence.
A passenger in the vehicle, Mackenzie A. Flynn, 21, was transported to SUNY Upstate Medical University Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Hummell was charged with DWI. He was not injured in the crash.
Fatal ATV crash in Herkimer County
On May 24, 2020, at 6:31 p.m., state police responded to a reported ATV crash on at 1158 Jones Road in Litchfield, Herkimer County.
The preliminary investigation has revealed a 12-year-old female operator and a 12-year-old female passenger were riding a 2006 Polaris Sportsman 450 ATV southbound on Jones Road when the ATV exited the roadway and struck a utility pole. Both juveniles were ejected from the ATV and were transported to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Utica.
Kyra R. Treen, 12, of Ilion, was transported via Mercy Flight to SUNY Upstate Medical University Hospital with internal injuries and is listed in critical condition; Alivia P. Moylan, 12, of Whitesboro, was transported to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The investigation continues.
State police investigating trooper-involved shooting in the town of Manlius
On May 26, 2020, at 2:57 p.m., the Manlius Police Department, along with state police, the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office and the DeWitt Police Department responded to 140 Wilson Drive, Manlius, for a reported physical domestic involving a male who was threatening family members.
When patrols arrived, a male subject, later identified as 61-year-old Kenneth J. Bennett, exited his residence upset with his family and making suicidal threats. Law enforcement officers attempted to calm Bennett and engage him in communications; he continued to threaten law enforcement with a baseball bat and what appeared to be a rifle. After an hour of Bennett making verbal threats and physically menacing police officers with the weapon, he charged at officers. He was engaged with non-lethal and ultimately lethal means to disarm him.
During this exchange, officers unsuccessfully pleaded with Bennett to drop his weapon before employing lethal measures, causing Trooper Gary M. Novotny to fire one round from his division issued patrol rifle, striking him in the abdomen.
Bennett was transported to SUNY Upstate Medical University Hospital in Syracuse, where he was pronounced deceased.
State Police Contaminated Crime Scene Emergency Response Team (CCSERT) was called to the scene after investigators located meth-making materials inside the residence.
The investigation continues.
Hamilton woman killed after being struck while bicycling
On May 28, 2020, at 11:36 a.m., state police in Morrisville responded to a reported bicyclist struck by a vehicle on Lake Moraine Road near the intersection with Frederick Road in the town of Madison, Madison County.
The preliminary investigation has revealed 61-year-old Becky A. Eisenhut from Lake Moraine Road was riding her bicycle south on Lake Moraine Road when she was struck from behind by a 2016 Jeep Wrangler, operated by Delos J. Thurston, 22, of Whitesboro, who was also headed south on Lake Moraine Road.
Eisenhut was pronounced dead at the scene. Thurston was not injured in the crash.
A drug recognition expert responded to the scene and determined Thurston exhibited no signs of alcohol or drug impairment.
State police were assisted at the scene by the village of Hamilton Police Department and the Troop D Collision Reconstruction Unit.
The investigation continues.
Solvay man arrested for DWI
On May 29, 2020, at 11:14 p.m., state police arrested Gerald A. Albrigo, 62, of Solvay, for DWI, an unclassified misdemeanor.
Albrigo, operating a 2016 GMC Terrain, was stopped on State Fair Blvd in the town of Geddes for speeding (60 mph in a posted 40 mph speed zone) and for crossing the hazard markings on the roadway. Police say he was subsequently arrested for driving while intoxicated with a BAC of .12%.
Albrigo was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in Geddes Town Court at 4 p.m. Aug. 3, 2020.
Oneida County man charged with fleeing from police and reckless driving
State police in Remsen arrested Jerome S. Dillon, 32, of Barneveld, for second-degree reckless endangerment, third-degree unlawfully fleeing a police officer and reckless driving, all misdemeanors.
On June 7, 2020, at 6:15 p.m., state police responded to Stewart’s Shop on State Route 12, Trenton, to check on the welfare of a male who was passed out in a vehicle while parked at the gas pumps. Upon arrival, Troopers observed an ambulance crew attempting to speak with the male driver when he sped off in his vehicle. Troopers attempted to stop the vehicle; however, the driver refused to comply. Dillon finally stopped his vehicle after he pulled into his residence on Dover Road in the town of Barneveld and was taken into custody without further incident.
Dillon was issued appearance tickets and is scheduled to appear in Russia Town Court at a later date.
Fatal motorcycle crash in the town of Webb
On June 5, 2020, at 2:44 p.m., state police and the town of Webb Police Department responded to State Route 28, north of Moose River Tract Road, in the town of Webb for a reported motorcycle-vehicle crash.
Investigation revealed Kenneth G. Batz, 72, of Camden, was operating a 1995 Suzuki motorcycle northbound when he crossed over into the southbound lane and was struck by a 2018 Jeep, operated by Heather B. Thomas, 43, who was southbound on Route 28.
Batz was airlifted by Mercy Flight to SUNY Upstate Medical University Hospital in Syracuse, where he was pronounced deceased.
Two arrested following an investigation into damages caused by vehicles after bonfire
On June 4, 2020, state police in Watertown arrested Kathryndani B. Hassinger, 27, of Evans Mills; and Benjamin S. Keigley, 25,of Fort Drum, following an investigation into damage caused to private property in the amount of over $6,360.
On April 21, 2020, troopers were called to a residence on Morris Tract Road in the town of Lyme after the property owner noticed two vehicles that were stuck in the mud and caused a significant amount of damage to their property.
Hassinger was charged with second-degree criminal mischief, a class D felony; and trespass, a violation, for damages caused after a bonfire party was held on the property.
Keigley was charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, a class A misdemeanor. He is accused of driving a vehicle to the party without the owner’s consent.
Hassinger was arraigned via Skype and was released on her own recognizance. Keigley was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in Lyme Town Court at 6:30 p.m. July 20, 2020.
Canastota man arrested for rape and predatory sexual assault charges
On June 10, 2020, a complainant walked into the State Police Troop D Headquarters in Oneida to report sexual abuse of a 10-year-old child. An investigation into the allegations revealed that in the spring of this year, a 37-year-old male had engaged in a sexual relationship with a child less than 11 years of age over the course of several months at a residence located in Lenox.
The relationship was discovered after a relative discovered sexually explicit text messages and photographs exchanged between the suspect and child.
Investigators arrested Jeffrey R. Shaffner of Canastota on charges of first-degree rape (a B felony) and predatory sexual assault on a child (an A-II felony). Shaffner was located at his residence and taken into custody without incident. He was arraigned by Judge Grace Rapasadi and, at the request of the Madison County District Attorney’s Office, was remanded to the Madison County Jail on $250,000 cash bail or $500,000 secured bond. He is scheduled to return to court at 1 p.m. June 15, 2020. An order of protection was issued for the victim.
The Madison County Child Advocacy Center assisted in the investigation.
State police seek public assistance with identifying an individual in surveillance photo
On June 15, 2020, state police arrested Elizabeth L. Coy, 64, of Syracuse, on a charge of fourth-degree grand larceny, a class E felony. Coy contacted state police after she noticed her photo on the local news. She was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in the town of Geddes Court on August 3, 2020 at 4 p.m.
State police thank the public for their assistance. The investigation is continues.
Bicyclist struck by a vehicle while riding along Route 12E in Cape Vincent
On June 18, 2020, at approximately 3 p.m., state police in Alexandria Bay responded to a crash involving a bicycle on State Route 12E in the town of Cape Vincent, Jefferson County.
A 2017 Dodge pickup truck, operated by Patrick A. Amell, 37, of Dexter, was westbound on State Route 12E when he struck a bicyclist who was also traveling westbound.
The investigation determined the passenger side mirror of the truck struck the bicyclist causing him to be ejected from his bike and strike his head. The bicyclist, 71-year-old Willard A. Moulton of Syracuse was conscious and alert upon patrol’s arrival. He was transported to Samaritan Medical Center and later transferred to SUNY Upstate Medical University Hospital in Syracuse with a severe head injury and is listed in critical condition.
The investigation is continues.