North Country Briefs
Philadelphia police raid
nets pot, cash; man jailed
PHILADELPHIA — Police seized nearly two pounds of marijuana, drug paraphernalia and about $1,000 in cash during a raid conducted early Thursday morning at 31 Antwerp St.
The resident, Matthew T. Schirmer, 20, was arrested on a charge of second-degree criminal possession of marijuana. He was arraigned before town of Watertown Justice Andrew N. Capone, who set bail at $7,500, placing him in the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building, Watertown.
The marijuana was packaged for sale and has a street value of more than $3,000, according to the Metro-Jeff Drug Task Force, which investigated.
Assisting in the raid were the sheriff's department's canine and emergency response teams.
An investigator said the police action, authorized by a search warrant, resulted form a summer-long investigation. Mr. Schirmer was also arrested on July 9, when a sheriff's patrol halted his vehicle on Route 26 in the town of Theresa. He was found possessing three plastic bags containing 25 grams of marijuana, deputies alleged. He faces a charge of fifth-degree criminal possession of marijuana in that incident.
Two ex-convicts arrested
after apartment invasion
Two Watertown men, both ex-convicts, were jailed without bail Thursday after being charged by city police with invading an apartment to assault the resident.
Elmer R. Davis, 41, of 108 S. Orchard St., and Kevin P. Beach, 43, of 729 W. Main St., are charged with second-degree burglary and third-degree assault. They are being held in the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building following arraignment in City Court, and await grand jury action.
Police alleged that at 3:55 p.m. Wednesday, they forced their way into the apartment of Robert A. Mauchin, 46, of 312 S. Rutland St., who was punched an kicked.
Mr. Davis has served two prison terms, for convictions of attempted third-degree burglary in 1988, and attempted second-degree burglary in 1997. Mr. Beach was in prison for about eight months after being convicted in 1990 on fifth-degree counts of selling and possessing a controlled substance.
Suspect in rape of teen
released on $30,000 bond
CANTON — An Evans Mills man accused of attempting to rape a 17-year-old girl in early September near Mullin's Family Restaurant, Gouverneur, was released Wednesday from St. Lawrence County jail on a court order.
Matthew J. Haney, 21, was charged Sept. 6 with attempted first-degree rape, first-degree sexual abuse, second-degree unlawful imprisonment and second-degree harassment, state police said.
County Court Judge Jerome J. Richards on Wednesday assigned several conditions with the $30,000 bond posted, including ordering Mr. Haney to stay away from alcohol, drugs and bars. He also imposed a daily curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., except when Mr. Haney has to report to Fort Drum for work at 5 a.m.
Public Defender Mary E. Rain, representing Mr. Haney, said in court that her client won't be deployed by the Army because of the pending case.
Winthrop woman accused
of cashing forged checks
MASSENA — Village police charged Audra M. Ash, 43, of 158 Skinnerville Road, Winthrop, with one count of fourth-degree grand larceny and 15 counts of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument.
Police allege Ms. Ash was in possession of 15 forged checks in August and September and presented those checks at several local banking institutions for cash. Police said the total of the checks was $2,545.
Joao L. Salgado of Massena told police he had written Ms. Ash a $40 check on Aug. 6 to pay her for painting at an apartment. He said the check had been altered to make it payable for $140. He also told police he had several other checks stolen from his residence.
Police said their investigation is continuing.
Man cited with burglary
after cashing stolen checks
LOWVILLE — A man who allegedly used his own name to endorse checks stolen in a house burglary is facing felony charges in both Lewis and Jefferson counties, according to state police.
Scott M. Dicob, 33, of 7569 Erie Canal Road, was arrested Thursday on a charge of second-degree burglary. He was placed in Lewis County jail, with bail set by Village Justice Patricia Yarina at $15,000.
A trooper said documentation is being presented to Watertown police for possible additional charges of forgery, grand larceny and possession of a forged instrument.
Personal checks were stolen early in September from the home of Bruce Lehman, 6682 Erie Canal Road, police said, and six were cashed for a total of $3,900 at Northern Federal Credit Union, 120 Factory St., Watertown. Bank security film shows Mr. Dicob cashing the checks that bore his signature, police said.
Gouverneur couple cited
after man injured in fight
GOUVERNEUR — A husband and wife both were charged by village police Tuesday night after a man was injured in a fight.
Daniel P. LaTray, 29, and Lindsey R. LaTray, 22, of 42 Ethel St., both were charged with trespass at 7:20 p.m. Mrs. LaTray was charged with second-degree harassment and Mr. LaTray was charged with second-degree assault.
Police said they struck Michael E. Nichols Jr., 37, of 218 E. Main St., in the face and Mr. LaTray hit Mr. Nichols on the head, causing serious injury. The couple did not leave the property when told. Mr. Nichols was taken to E.J. Noble Hospital.
Mr. LaTray was released to supervision after arraignment and Mrs. LaTray was released without bail. They are to face the charges in Town Court.
Police say camera showed
man made a false report
An outdoor security camera proved the undoing of a man who falsely reported a crime Monday night in the 100 block of West Main Street, city police allege.
Jarrod C. Randall, 25, of 1208 Superior St., Apt. E-8, was charged Tuesday with making a punishable false written statement, and is ordered to appear in City Court.
Police said he reported a menacing incident about 8 p.m. Monday. Officers were able to view footage from a security camera at an undisclosed location, and were able to see Mr. Randall at the location, but saw no evidence of the crime he reported, police said.
Other specifics of the incident were not disclosed, as the investigation is continuing, police said.
Police halt car, cite three
with being illegal aliens
CANTON — Three Pennsylvania men were accused of being illegal aliens after they were stopped early Monday on Main Street for having a bad muffler, St. Lawrence County sheriff's deputies said.
Rafael Ruiz-Garcia, 22, Javier Cruz-Garcia, 35, and Fidencio Vicente-Valazco, 17, all of Chambersburg, were turned over to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, deputies said. The car had a global positioning system device with a destination in the town of Lawrence.
Two of the men had Pennsylvania identification cards, with one also possessing a Mexican driver's license, but the third man had no identification. An investigation later revealed the three men were illegal aliens, deputies said.
Police seek truck, driver
from hit-and-run accident
NORFOLK — Town police are hoping vehicle parts left at an accident scene on River Road late Monday may help them locate a hit-and-run driver.
The Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, either an extended-cab or four-door model and gray or tan in color, should have significant front-end and driver's-side damage, police said.
The pickup was heading north on River Road about 8:20 p.m. when it hit a sign, two mailboxes and a wooden fence. Police found a rear taillight from the pickup at the scene.
Anyone with information can call town police at 384-4200.
Police say Hammond man
punched teen in mouth
HAMMOND — A 25-year-old man is accused of stopping a car Sept. 12 on Route 37 and punching a 17-year-old boy in the mouth.
Gregory M. Lantier, Hammond, was charged Tuesday with second-degree assault and unlawful possession of marijuana, state police said. Mr. Lantier reportedly had a previous disagreement with the 17-year-old. He also had a small amount of marijuana in his possession when arrested, troopers said.
He was arraigned in Morristown Town Court and released to probation supervision. He is to appear in Hammond Town Court.
Car coasts off flatbed,
hits house in Brownville
BROWNVILLE — A flatbed wrecker lost its cargo Wednesday afternoon, sending a driverless car smashing into a house at 110 Washington St., according to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department.
A defective tow hitch, and not operator error, caused the 2:05 p.m. accident at the house, owned by Christopher Watkins, a deputy said. A porch, window and door were damaged as the errant 1999 Mitsubishi penetrated the front of the structure.
The car coasted off a D&S Garage wrecker driven by Rodney Dusckas, 41, Watertown, a deputy reported.
Man staying at motel
arrested on drug charges
A man staying at a motel was arrested Tuesday afternoon after a Jefferson County deputy sheriff alleged finding him possessing crack cocaine packaged for sale.
Samuel Louis-Charles, 28, who listed the Rainbow Motel as his address, was being held without bail in the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building. He was arraigned before Adams Town Justice Donald B. Shaw on charges of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of marijuana.
The arrest followed a routine traffic stop at 1:35 p.m. Tuesday on Interstate 81 in the town of Adams, according to the sheriff's office.
Copenhagen man accused
of lying about his identity
Richard T.A. Laursen, 28, Copenhagen, was charged by Watertown police early Thursday morning with false personation, third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation and driving an uninspected vehicle.
Police said that after he was halted at about 2 a.m. in the 100 block of Mill Street, he gave his proper birth date but used the name Ted R. Laursen.
Man in Syracuse hospital
after accident in Rutland
Randy T. Smith, 21, Burnup Road, Black River, suffered "non-life-threatening" injuries Tuesday night when he was ejected from his vehicle on Burnup Road in the town of Rutland, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department.
He initially was treated at Samaritan Medical Center, and was transferred to Upstate Medical University, Syracuse.
No other details were provided about the accident, but deputies alleged that alcohol consumption was a factor. The investigation continues.
Teen accused of smashing
glass ornament at home
A 16-year-old city girl was arrested Tuesday afternoon after she threw and smashed a glass ornament in her home during a domestic fight, according to Watertown police.
Maria L. McConnell, 297 Walker Ave., Apt. C, was detained on a charge of fourth-degree criminal mischief in the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building until she was arraigned in City Court. She was given an adjournment and was released.
The complaint for her arrest was made by her mother, Toni Jo McConnell, police said.
Potsdam man charged
with slashing several tires
POTSDAM — A 21-year-old man is accused of slashing several tires in the parking lot of Evergreen Park and driving without a valid license.
Jeremy S. Clough, 21, Potsdam, was charged Wednesday with fourth-degree criminal mischief, issuing a bad check, second-degree harassment and third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle, village police said. He was also accused of writing a bad check to a village business.
He was issued appearance tickets for Sept. 30 in Village Court.
Man charged with giving
city police false ID twice
A Lowville man was jailed Wednesday on allegations that twice he lied to Watertown police officers about his identity.
Mark A. Rahman, 27, was being held in the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building, with bail set at $1,000 by Watertown City Judge James C. Harberson. He faces two counts of second-degree criminal impersonation.
Police allege that on July 20 on Gotham Street, and again four days later on Washington Street, he identified himself as Michael J. Wilson, 23, to avoid being detected as an unlicensed driver.
Police: medical condition
may have led to car crash
Watertown police said Wednesday evening that they believe a man's medical condition may have caused his vehicle to leave the road on Coffeen Street and strike a railroad crossing gate and a building at Purcell Construction, 566 Coffeen St.
Daniel Alden, 52, of 17481 Route 11, was taken to Samaritan Medical Center following his 3:55 p.m. accident. Police said he was eastbound when his auto suddenly veered across the westbound lane.
The investigation continues.
Man accused of punching
teenager in face at party
LOWVILLE — A Croghan man was charged by state police early Wednesday with third-degree assault in connection with an incident April 17 in the town of Harrisburg.
Justin J. Hellinger, 26, was arraigned in Lowville Village Court and was sent to Lewis County jail under $3,000 bail. Police said he is accused of punching a 16-year-old boy in the face during a house party.
