DELMAR – These are the Police briefs that appeared in November 3rd edition of The Spotlight.
Rotterdam man wanted for check fraud initially stopped for DWAI drugs
LATHAM — On Friday, Oct. 21, Brian H. Fernau, 32 of Rotterdam was arrested by State Police in Princetown for DWAI drugs. After an investigation, Troopers transferred him to State Police in Latham because he was wanted for his involvement in a series of fraud crimes.
On August 15, State Police were notified by two First Choice Financial Federal Credit Union branches in Fulton County that four fraudulent checks had been cashed at the financial institutions that day. An investigation determined Fernau and Elijah N. Jacobs, 31, of Gloversville each possessed and cashed two checks at the branches.
An additional investigation determined Fernau attempted to cash a forged check on August 17, at a TCT Federal Credit Union in Saratoga County.
Police arrested Fernau and Jacobs on August 19 for the incidents in Fulton and Saratoga and they were arraigned. Jacobs was held for other warrants while Fernau was released on his own recognizance. He did not show up for court, however, and was free until the DWAI stop.
NowIn addition to the Fulton county charges, State Police received a complaint on August 17, that Fernau attempted to cash a forged check valued at $2,100 at the Pioneer Bank in Colonie. The bank identified the check as forged and withheld both the funds and the check which were turned over to State Police investigators. An additional investigation determined the next day, Fernau allegedly cashed two more checks, one in Bethlehem and one at SEFCU in Colonie for $2,500.
He was issued an appearance ticket.
Man arrested for two thefts at Tractor Supply
GLENMONT — Bethlehem police arrested an Albany man on Thursday, Oct. 20, who was detained at the Albany County Jail on other charges, for stealing from Tractor Supply twice in September.
On September 10, police were called to the store after Guillermo Santiago, 50, placed seven Carhartt jackets into a cart, left the store and drove away. Four days later, he returned to the store and put six more Carhartt jackets into a bag and left the store.
After an investigation by detectives identified Santiago as the suspect, Bethlehem Town Court issued an arrest warrant on September 27. He was at the jail for unrelated charges when Bethlehem police were notified.
Santiago was charged with two counts of petit larceny and the outstanding warrant. He was arraigned by Town Justice Andrew Kirby and turned over to State Police for another outstanding warrant out of Clifton Park. He is scheduled to return to Bethlehem Town Court on Tuesday, November 15.
Wanted man arrested after larceny at Walmart
GLENMONT – On Saturday, Oct. 22, an Albany man allegedly filled various reusable shopping bags and backpacks with merchandise from Walmart and left the store without paying.
Police took Julio Vazquez, 47, into custody and transported to the police station where an investigation determined that he had another outstanding warrant from Guilderland.
He was given an appearance ticket to return to Bethlehem Town Court on Tuesday, Nov. 15 and turned over to Guilderland police.
Woman arrested on outstanding warrants
GLENMONT – Bethlehem police were called to the Glenmont Plaza on Feura Bush Road on Thursday, Oct. 20 at approximately 9:23 p.m. for a report of a woman acting erratically, stumbling and spitting in the parking lot.
When officers arrived, they made contact with a 39-year-old Albany woman. She said that she was going through withdrawals from heroin and fentanyl use and initially refused to provide her name and date of birth.
The woman was later identified and a search found she had numerous outstanding warrants in the area. Bethlehem contacted Guilderland police and they said they would take her on the warrant they had. Officers also secured a glass pipe found in her bag for destruction. She was picked up by Guilderland police.
Tenant assaults landlord
COEYMANS – On Saturday, Oct. 15 at approximately 11:02 p.m., Albany County Sheriff’s Deputies were called to a Ringwald Road residence for a neighbor dispute.
Upon arrival, deputies found a tenant of the building, Crystalshine Mcewan, 45, upset that her power and water had been shut off. According to reports, Mcewan stated she went to her landlord’s door to ask him to turn it back on.
The landlord stated he did not shut them off and Mcewan allegedly punched him in the face.
She was arrested and charged with felony criminal contempt and misdemeanor assault. The victim has an order of protection against her.
Mcewan was given an appearance ticket for Coeymans Town Court for Thursday, Oct. 27 and released. She was advised not to make any contact with the landlord.
Matteson arraigned after indictment for River Road stabbing
SELKIRK – The man who was arrested for a September 16 stabbing and assault on River Road was arraigned and sent back to jail.
Adam Matteson Jr, 36, of East Greenbush, pleaded not guilty to a six-count indictment before the Albany County Judge Andra Ackerman on October 26, according to Albany County District Attorney David Soares.
The indictment, handed up on October 21,includes one count each of burglary in the first degree, assault in the first degree, assault in the second degree, assault in the third degree, endangering the welfare of a child, and grand larceny in the fourth degree.
The indictment alleges that on or about September 16, Matteson unlawfully entered a location in the Town of Bethlehem, and caused physical injury to two victims. Specifically, the defendant is accused of stabbing one victim, and striking a second victim, in the presence of a child. Additionally, the indictment alleges Matteson stole a vehicle during the early morning hours at a different location in the area the following day. The defendant was remanded to jail without bail.