Joint Investigation leads to arrest of Rome man
(Utica, NY – Jan. 29, 2016) An eight month investigation by the New York State Police Special Investigations Unit in Utica, with assistance from the Oneida County Drug Enforcement Task Force resulted in the arrest of a Lee Center man following the execution of search warrants in the towns of Floyd and Lee in Oneida County.
Seized as a result of these searches was more than (251) cartons of untaxed, unstamped cigarettes, (1) carton of untaxed cigars and assorted untaxed tobacco products. Property seized has an estimated retail value of between $ 24,000 and $ 28,000.
Christopher L. Hallberg, 35, of 9129 Turin Road, Lot #27, Rome was arrested following a traffic stop on Route 49 in the town of Floyd at which time he was found in possession of more than (200) cartons of untaxed cigarettes and tobacco products. A subsequent search of his residence in the Town of Lee resulted in the additional seizure of (39) cartons of untaxed cigarettes.
Hallberg was thereafter charged with Violation of NYS Tax Law Section 1814 C2, 
Possession and Transportation of Unstamped, Untaxed Cigarettes, (Class D Felony), and Violation of NYS Tax Law Section 1803, fourth-degree Criminal Tax Fraud (Class E Felony).
All untaxed cigarettes and tobacco products were turned over to investigators from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance at the scene.
Hallberg was arraigned in the village of New York Mills Court and remanded to Oneida County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash or $5,000 bail bond.
Hallberg is scheduled to reappear in the Village of New York Mills Court Feb. 3 at 3 p.m.
This investigation is ongoing, and additional charges in Oneida County are anticipated.
Any information or questions regarding this case should be directed to Investigator Alfonse Nitti of the New York State Police Special Investigations Unit in Utica at (315) 793-2531.
Lysander Woman charged with stealing more than $93,000 from former employer
(Town of Lysander, NY – Jan. 29, 2016) Tina M. Blanchard, 54, of Van Buren was arrested by the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation based in Lysander.
Blanchard was charged with second-degree Grand Larceny, first-degree Scheme to Defraud and first-degree Falsifying Business Records.
Blanchard is accused of stealing approximately $93,291 from her former employer, Central New York Services, Inc. where she worked as a supervisor in the financial management unit.
Blanchard was arraigned in Syracuse City Criminal Court and released on pre-trial release. She was directed to re-appear on a later date.
Former Court Clerk arrested after Investigation into Missing Funds
(Town of Parish, NY – Jan. 29, 2016) The New York State Police in Pulaski conducted an investigation in conjunction with the Office of Court Administration regarding the theft/misappropriation of funds from the Town of Parish Court.
Following an audit conducted by the Office of Court Administration, it was determined that funds in excess of $4,000 were missing from the court. The audit period conducted was between January 2012 and March 2014.
Investigation revealed that former court clerk, Sue E. Wert, 62, from Parish was responsible for the funds received and deposited through Judge Harold Wert’s court.
Wert was subsequently charged with fourth-degree Grand Larceny, a class “E” felony; second-degree Forgery, a class “D” felony; and first-degree Tampering with a Public Record, a class “D” felony.
She was arraigned in the Town of Richland Court and released on her own recognizance. She is scheduled to appear back in the Town of Richland Court Feb. 22 at 7 p.m.
Wert resigned from her position as court clerk in January 2014.
Meth Lab Shut Down After Investigation
(Town of Lenox, NY – Jan. 27, 2016) On Jan. 27 following an investigation that lasted nearly four months, Madison County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Investigators and the Sheriff’s Special Operations Unit executed a pair of search warrants at two separate locations on Wilson Cove Road in the Town of Lenox.
Three adults were detained at the scene and later questioned by investigators. Three children, ages 8, 13 and 15 were removed from the residence, evaluated at the scene by emergency medical personnel from Greater Lenox Ambulance Service, and released to the care of a family member.
Members from the Canastota Fire Department were also on hand as a precautionary measure.
Investigators arrested Jason J. Buskey, 40, of 9116 Wilson Cove Road, on the strength of an arrest warrant charging him with fourth-degree Grand Larceny (Class E Felony), Computer Trespass (Class E Felony), and second-degree harassment (a violation).
Buskey was arraigned on those charges and is currently held in the Madison County Jail on $5,000 cash/$10,000 bail bond. The two other adults who were detained for questioning were later released.
The Town of Lenox Animal Control Officer responded to the scene and secured at least four dogs and several other animals.
Sheriff’s Investigators resumed their search of the residences and adjoining properties. Investigators were assisted at the scene by Town of Lenox Codes Enforcement officials, NYS Police Contaminated Crime Scene Response Team (CCSERT), the Madison County Department of Public Health, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, National Grid and OCWA.
The residence was declared unfit for occupancy by Town of Lenox Codes Enforcement officials at this time due to significant violations both in and outside of the residence.
The Investigation is ongoing at this time and additional charges are pending.
Utica Man arrested for Grand Larceny
(Marcy, NY – Jan. 27, 2016) On Jan. 26 New York State Police in Marcy arrested 28 year-old, Anthony F. Dobrzenski of Utica for third-degree Grand Larceny.
The arrest came after a three week joint investigation with Utica Police and the New York State Police. Dobrzenski, who turned himself in to police, has been accused of stealing cash and jewelry from members of his family.
He was arraigned in the Town of Marcy Court and scheduled to re-appear Feb. 1.
He was remanded to the Oneida County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail.
Syracuse Man arrested on Burglary Charges
(Watertown, NY – Jan. 25, 2016) State Police in Watertown arrested Chion J. Burrage, 39, of 521 Cortland Ave., Syracuse for second-degree Burglary, a class “C” felony.
Burrage was arrested Jan. 24 with forcibly entering a residence on Jan. 23 on State Route 193 in the Town of Ellisburg, Jefferson County.
The suspect was confronted by the homeowner, and refused to leave. The homeowner struck the suspect multiple times in the head with a frying pan, and continued to do so until police arrived.
The suspect was transported to the Samaritan Medical Center for treatment of his injuries, and was released into State Police custody.
Burrage was subsequently arraigned in the Town of Ellisburg Court and remanded to the Jefferson County Public Safety Building with no bail due to previous criminal history.
This case is pending Grand Jury action.