CLAVERACK — Eight Columbia County residents were arrested Tuesday, and police continue to search for a ninth suspect, following a lengthy investigation into the theft of catalytic converters and other items across Columbia County, Aaron Hicks, public information officer for state police Troop K, said Wednesday.
Stolen catalytic converters, various power tools, binoculars and spotting scopes, a dump trailer and woodchipper were recovered, and a large amount of illegal narcotics were seized in the raids, Hicks said.
Arrested on Tuesday were: Brad R. Hapeman, 48, of Claverack; Elizabeth Poulter, 31, of Claverack; Tonya T. Perez, 39, of Claverack; Crawford Boice, 29, of Ghent; Angela Bridgham, 37, of Claverack; James P. Charron, 23, of Claverack; Denise M. Charron, 57, of Claverack; and Nichole L. Spillane, 24, of Hudson.
State police have an outstanding arrest warrant for Robert E. Perez, 41, of Claverack, on felony charges stemming from the investigation. Police are continuing the search for Perez, Hicks said.
Since December of 2021, the police have been investigating numerous larceny complaints in and around the Claverack area. Investigators tracking local crime trends asked the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement, specifically about catalytic converter thefts.
As a result, eight arrests were made Tuesday after several lengthy and intense investigations thanks to tips from members of the community, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and Columbia County District Attorney’s Office, Hicks said.
The arrests were made after the execution of several search warrants, including one at a home on Route 217 in Claverack, and two traffic stops, Hicks said.
Drugs that were seized included approximately 32.3 grams of cocaine, 4.3 grams of crack cocaine, 2.7 grams of fentanyl, 9.9 grams of 3,4-MDMA, 5.6 grams of amphetamine heroin mixture, 3.4 grams of fentanyl heroin mixture, 15.8 grams of lorazepam, 0.9 grams of clonazepam, 0.4 grams of alprazolam, dozens of oxycodone pills and a small amount of Percocet, Hicks said.
Hapeman was charged with five counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class B felony, third-degree grand larceny, a class D felony, third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, a class D felony, fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class D felony, fifth-degree conspiracy, a class A misdemeanor, seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor, criminal use of drug paraphernalia, a class A misdemeanor, and reckless driving, Hicks said.
Poulter was charged with four counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class B felony, third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, a class D felony, fifth-degree conspiracy, a class misdemeanor, and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor, Hicks said.
Tonya Perez was charged with four counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class B felony, fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class C felony, third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, a class D felony, first-degree criminal nuisance, a class E felony, first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, a class E felony, fifth-degree conspiracy, a class A misdemeanor, two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor, second-degree reckless endangerment, a class misdemeanor, and driving while ability impaired by drugs, Hicks said.
Boice was charged with four counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class B felony, third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, a class D felony, fifth-degree conspiracy, a class A misdemeanor, and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor, Hicks said.
Bridgham was charged with four counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class B felony, third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, a class D felony, fifth-degree conspiracy, a class A misdemeanor, and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor, Hicks said.
James Charron was charged with four counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class B felony, third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, a class D felony, first-degree criminal nuisance, a class E felony, fifth-degree conspiracy, a class A misdemeanor, and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor, Hicks said.
Denise Charron was charged with four counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class B felony, third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, a class D felony, first-degree criminal nuisance, a class E felony, fifth-degree conspiracy, a class A misdemeanor, and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor, Hicks said.
Spillane was charged with four counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class B felony, third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, a class D felony, fifth-degree conspiracy, a class A misdemeanor, and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor, Hicks said.
All eight were arraigned before Town Justice Michael Cozzolino in Town of Claverack Court. Hapeman was sent to the Columbia County Jail without bail, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for June 20.
All the others were released on their own recognizance to reappear in court July 12.
Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Robert Perez, should contact the New York State Police immediately. You should not take any police-action yourself other than to call state police at (518)851-3111 or (845) 677-7300. Please reference case- 10885236, Hicks said.
The investigation is continuing, Hicks said.