James O'Rourke

jorourke@lohud.com

Drivers warned to secure valuables before leaving their cars unattended

NANUET – Clarkstown police are warning drivers to be careful with their belongings after several items were stolen from a number of cars in the hamlet.

Authorities said the thefts have all occurred in the last two weeks.

Drivers are urged not to leave valuables like laptops, cameras or cell phones in plain sight, but are also being told to keep an eye on items like car registrations and garage door openers. Police also suggest parking in well-lit areas when possible, closing car windows and locking car doors.

Anyone who witnesses any suspicious activity should call the Clarkstown Police Department at 845-639-5800.

Spring Valley man charged in Nanuet burglary

NANUET – John Allen of Spring Valley was arrested after police found him in possession of a crack pipe while investigating a burglary he is alleged to have committed, authorities said.

An employee at the Chili's restaurant on Route 59 found Allen hiding in storage closet about 12:40 p.m. Friday, according to police. After Allen saw the employee, he ran from the restaurant, knocking over the employee and causing a minor injury.

Police arrived and found Allen, 50, a short distance from the restaurant. Authorities said he was found with a crack pipe containing trace amounts of the drug.

Allen was arraigned in Clarkstown Town Court, where he was charged with second-degree burglary, a felony, and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor. Bail was set at $5,000. He is to return to court at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Chestnut Ridge man gets 12 years for sexually abusing 10-year-old

NEW CITY – Victor Marryshow, 50, of 1 Foxhill Road, Chestnut Ridge, was sentenced Tuesday to 12 years in state prison after pleading guilty to a felony count of course of sexual conduct against a child, according to the Rockland County District Attorney's Office.

Marryshow, who also will have to serve 10 years probation when he is released from prison, abused a 10-year-old on several occasions between Oct. 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013.

Congers man charged with felony DWI

NANUET – A Congers man is facing felony charges after crashing into two parked cars on Main Street while drunk, police said.

Guillermo Garcia, 58, remained at the scene of the 5:30 p.m. Friday crash near 134 Main St., police said. Witnesses told police that Garcia was driving northbound on the road when he struck the two parked vehicles.

When Clarkstown police officers arrived, Garcia, who was uninjured, refused to submit to field sobriety tests. He later refused to take Breathalyzer, police said.

Garcia was arraigned in Clarkstown Town Court. Because he has a previous driving while intoxicated conviction in the last 10 years, he was charged with felony counts of DWI and first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation. Police said he also was charged with circumventing an interlock device/operating a vehicle without a device, a misdemeanor.

Garcia's bail was set at $7,500. He is to return to court at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Stony Point woman charged with DWI

NANUET – A 27-year-old Stony Point woman is facing a misdemeanor driving while intoxicated charge after a traffic stop on Route 59, police said.

Melissa Rau is accused of being drunk behind the wheel about 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, Clarkstown police said. An officer stopped her near Middletown Road for a traffic infraction and, while speaking with her, began to suspect she was drunk, police said.

Rau is accused of failing several field sobriety tests at the scene before being taken into custody. She later refused to submit to a Breathalyzer, police said.

Rau was arraigned in Clarkstown Town Court, where she was charged with the misdemeanor. She was later released without bail and is to return to court at 9:30 a.m. on July 21.

Bardonia woman charged with felony DWI

NEW CITY – Maria Cooke, 48, has been indicted on a felony count of driving while intoxicated, according to the Rockland County District Attorney's Office.

Cooke, of 76 Ash St., Bardonia, is accused of being drunk during a traffic stop on Ludvigh Road in Bardonia about 1:15 a.m. on Oct. 30, according to the district attorney.

The DWI charged was elevated to a felony because Cooke, who was indicted by a Rockland County grand jury on June 13, had previously been convicted of DWI in 2009 in Stony Point.

New City man charged with grand larceny

STONY POINT – A 31-year-old New City man was taken into custody recently by town police after he was found to have an active warrant for his arrest on a felony count of fourth-degree grand larceny, authorities said.

Michael A. Ramos, of 51 Grand St., was arrested by Clarkstown police on June 14 after officers found the warrant issued out of Stony Point Town Court, authorities said. Ramos was turned over to Stony Point police and arraigned in Town Court, where bail was set at $1,500.

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