The Albany County District Attorney’s Office will not pursue charges filed against a Delmar homeowner who allegedly tackled a Glenmont teen fleeing the scene of ding dong ditch prank on Saturday, July 17, according to the man’s lawyer.
Daniel Van Plew will still have to show up in court on Tuesday, Aug. 3, where his attorney will enter a motion to Judge Paul Dwyer to have the case dismissed.
`We’re grateful to the district attorney for conducting the investigation and coming to that conclusion,` Peter Gerstenzang, Van Plew’s attorney, said. `Dan is very relieved. … We see the end is in sight and he can get his life back.`
A spokeswoman for the Albany County District Attorney’s Office said both parties have been spoken to and a letter indicating the DA’s decision on how to proceed with the case will be issued to Bethlehem Town Court. She declined to say what the decision was, though.
`We’re not commenting because the court hasn’t been notified yet,` she said.
The teen suffered lacerations to his elbow, bruises to his face and a bloody lip, according to police reports. A lawyer representing Robert Madeo, whose son was visiting a friend’s house for a sleepover when he and three other teens went to pull the prank, said the some of boy’s braces were also knocked loose of his teeth, and he might lose his two front teeth.
The boy’s father decided to press charges largely due to the injuries, said attorney Kristie Hanson.
Van Plew was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor, and harassment in the second degree, a violation.
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