The City of Poughkeepsie Police Department is investigating the murders of two women.  The first women is Iris Rogers a 45 year old female resident of the City of Poughkeepsie.  Iris  was murdered June 21, 2007 in the Kennedy's Fried Chicken parking lot located at 472 Main St.  The second woman is Terry Wendover a 45 year old City of Poughkeepsie resident.  Terry was murdered on July 29, 2007 in the Rite Aid Parking Lot located at 690 Main St. Both women were residents of the City of Poughkeepsie and frequented the Main St. corridor. 

The City of Poughkeepsie is offering a $1,000.00 reward for information leading to arrests in the murders of Terry Wendover and / or Iris Rogers.

ALL CALLS WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL

CALL THE TIP LINE AT 845-451-7577

DETECTIVES 845-451-4142

Crime Prevention Tips

Vehicle Break-ins:

According to Department of Justice statistics, approximately one-third of all larcenies reported to police involve thefts from parked vehicles. There are some simple steps all automobile owners can take to reduce their risk of property loss or damage from this type of crime:

Secure your vehicle – lock your car and keep windows rolled up when your vehicle is unattended, even for short periods of time. If your car has an alarm system, use it.

Never leave valuables in plain view – secure them in your trunk. Do not leave purses, briefcases, personal music players, CDs, shopping bags, or even loose change in plain view. A thief is more likely to break in to a car if he or she knows there is valuable property inside.

Be careful where you park – if possible, park in a garage or driveway. Unfortunately, many people living in a small city must park on the street. If you do not have access to off-street parking, avoid leaving your vehicle in poorly lit areas, or areas where concealment is available – in other words, areas that offer thieves a place to hide, such as overgrown bushes, fences or walls.

Know your neighbors – be aware of who belongs in your neighborhood. Report suspicious persons and/or activity to the police.

If your vehicle is broken into, report it to the police immediately. Do no touch your vehicle or rummage through it to avoid contaminating potential evidence.

 If you see suspicious activity report it to the City of Poughkeepsie Police at 845-451-4000

Crime Prevention Tips

Burglaries:

Being the victim of a burglary is a traumatic experience. You have lost valuable property and the sanctity of your home has been violated. However, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself from this crime.

Most burglaries occur during the day when houses are less likely to be occupied. While some burglaries do occur when occupants are home, most burglars look for signs of vacancy when choosing a target. If you are going to be away from your home for an extended period of time for a vacation or business trip, it is important to have your mail and newspaper delivery stopped for the duration of your absence as a burglar will notice these items piling up. Most newspapers offer a program that will suspend your delivery and donate the issues you missed to a local school. You can also call the police department and request extra checks of your property while you are away.

Homes that appear to be occupied are far less likely to be burglarized. A car in the driveway or audible noise from within may be enough to deter a burglar from attempting to access your house. Houses with dogs are also less likely to be burglarized, as are those with alarm systems. Most insurance companies offer discounts on homeowner’s and renter’s insurance to clients with security systems and/or dogs on the premises.

Studies indicate that alarm systems and other security devices reduce burglaries. These include window locks, dead bolts, security lighting, interior light timers and devices that prevent windows from opening more than a few inches.

The most important step you can take to prevent your home from being burglarized is to secure it. Lock your windows and doors (including sliding glass doors and garage doors) whether you are home or not. Leave your curtains or blinds closed. Do not advertise recent expensive purchases – such as a new television – by leaving the item’s packaging outside of your garbage cans. Tear up cardboard boxes from such purchases and mix them into your trash.

Burglars also target homes that are difficult to see from the street or neighboring homes as this offers them more privacy. Do not provide burglars places to hide on your property. Avoid placing too much shrubbery near your doors and windows (although thorny bushes may deter a burglar). Poor lighting may also attract a burglar. Side or back doors and windows are particularly attractive entry points for burglars – do not neglect to keep these areas well-lit. Motion-activated lighting is a cost-effective way to keep the outside of your home lit.

In the City of Poughkeepsie, the majority of burglaries occur in multiple dwellings, that is apartment buildings or duplexes. Keep common doorways locked and invest in a deadbolt lock for your apartment door. Always lock windows that are accessible via porch roofs or fire escapes.

Get to know your neighbors and look out for each other. Call the police immediately if you note any suspicious persons or activity.

If your home is burglarized, report it to the police immediately. Do not touch anything to avoid contaminating potential evidence – leave your home exactly as you found it until Officers arrive.

If you see suspicious activity report it to the City of Poughkeepsie Police at 845-451-4000

Deon Traylor is wanted by the Dutchess County Court for failure to appear for a scheduled trial which was scheduled to begin on Tuesday October 23, 2007.  He is also wanted by New York State Parole.  Deon Traylor is a City of Poughkeepsie resident who last resided at 168 Winnikee Ave.  He is described as a black male, 5'7" tall and 225lbs. 

Anyone who has information about the whereabouts of Deon Traylor is asked to contact the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department at 845-451-4000.  Do not attempt to stop or detain this individual if contacted call the Police.

Making Graffiti is a crime. It is a Class-A misdemeanor under New York State Law to mark public or private property without permission of the property owner. Cleaning graffiti from public property costs taxpayers millions of dollars a year. Graffiti that is not removed blights neighborhoods. If you witness someone making graffiti, or observe young people in possession of graffiti-making tools (such as cans of spray paint), report it to the police immediately.

The City of Poughkeepsie Police Department is investigating the murders of two women.  The first woman is Iris Rogers a 45 year old female resident of the City of Poughkeepsie.  Iris was murdered June 21, 2007 in the Kennedy’s Fried Chicken parking lot located at 472 Main St.  The second woman is Terry Wendover a 45 year old City of Poughkeepsie resident.  Terry was murdered on July 29, 2007 in the Rite Aid Parking Lot located at 690 Main St. Both women were residents of the City of Poughkeepsie and frequented the Main St. corridor. 

The City of Poughkeepsie Police Department and the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office are offering a $2,000.00 reward for information leading to arrests in the murders of Terry Wendover and / or Iris Rogers.

ALL CALLS WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL

CALL THE TIP LINE AT 845-451-7577

DETECTIVES 845-451-4142

The City of Poughkeepsie Police Department is investigating an incident that occurred on Wilbur Blvd. in the area of Miller Rd. on the bicycle path on Monday October 22, 2007 at approximately 8:15 PM.  A female jogger reports she was grabbed from behind by a male subject possibly Hispanic.  The male subject grabbed at the female joggers clothes and put his hands down her pants.  The male subject fled on foot into the woods after the victim screamed.  He is described as a Hispanic male 5’7" tall last seen wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt. 

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department.  

The City of Poughkeepsie Police Department received three reports of vehicles being broken into between 7:00PM on Thursday, October 25^th and 2:45PM on Friday, October 26^th.  The break-ins occurred on South Perry Street, Flannery Ave. and on Bain Ave.

The Police Department reminds you to secure your vehicle at all times.  Lock your car and keep vehicle windows rolled up when you vehicle is unattended, even for short periods of time.  If your car has an alarm system, use it. 

Never leave valuables in plain view.  Secure them in the trunk.  Do not leave purses, briefcases, computers, personal music players, CD’s, shopping bags or even loose change in plain view.  A thief is more likely to break in to a car if he or she knows there is valuable property inside.

If your vehicle is broken into, report it to the Police IMMEDIATELY.  Do not touch your vehicle or rummage though it to avoid contaminating possible evidence. 

A female student at Poughkeepsie Middle School reported to the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department at 8:19 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 30, that she was approached by a white male while walking to school. The male said hello and made comments that caused concern for the student who reported this incident. He is described as 5'7" tall, slim, 30 to 40 years old, last seen wearing a white shirt and blue jeans. Anyone with information is urged to contact City of Poughkeepsie Police.

At 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 1, in the area of 27 South White Street, a 16-year-old male was approached by a white male in an older brown Toyota Camry. The suspect called the teenager over to his car and told him to get in; he then exited car and came toward the victim. The victim punched him and ran. The suspect is described as a white male with curly brown hair, in his 30s, with a one-inch scar under his left eye, approximately 5’7” to 5’9”, wearing glasses. The vehicle was described as an older model Toyota Camry with rust under the passenger-side door handle and a loud muffler.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact City of Poughkeepsie Police.

The City of Poughkeepsie Police Department received numerous reports of damage to vehicles from BB guns over the weekend. Several incidents were reported from Sunday evening into Monday morning in the 300 blocks of Church and Mill streets. Additional incidents were reported Friday evening in the area of Winnikee Avenue in the Upper North area of the city. There was another incident in the area of Charles Street and one in the area of Fox Terrace. Residents are urged to report any suspicious persons or activities to city police immediately by calling the main number (845) 451-4000 or the Tip Line at (845) 451-7577. Parents are urged to remind their children that intentionally damaging another person’s property is a crime. Parents should also be aware that it is unlawful for any person under the age of 16 to possess a BB gun.

On Nov. 3, City of Poughkeepsie Police arrested Juan Jorge Santiago-Toledo for the murder of Terry Wendover, who was killed on July 29 in the parking lot of 690 Main St.

Santiago-Toledo, 33, of Roosevelt Avenue, was charged with second-degree murder.

City police are continuing to investigate the June 21 murder of Iris Rogers, who was killed behind the parking lot of 472 Main Street. Rogers, 45, was a resident of the City of Poughkeepsie who frequented the Main Street corridor.

Anyone with information concerning either of these investigations is urged to contact city police by calling the main number (845) 451-4000, the Tip Line (845) 451-7577, or the Detective Division at (845) 451-4142. All calls will be kept confidential.

Police are also seeking information on Santiago-Toledo or people who are associated with him.

The City of Poughkeepsie and the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office are offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in these cases.

Wendover Homicide Case Number: 07-21447

Rogers Homicide Case Number: 07-17252

City of Poughkeepsie Police responded to numerous complaints of tires slashed on vehicles in the downtown area this weekend.

Over a dozen vehicles were damaged Friday night in the Financial Parking Deck at 41 Civic Center Plaza, the parking lot at 21 Garden Street and the lot next to the Financial Deck. At least one car parked in the area of 307 Main Street was also damaged. In that incident, a witness reported seeing a group of young black males, approximately 12 years of age, kneeling near one of the damaged cars. It is unknown exactly what time these incidents took place, but they are believed to have occurred prior to 10:00 p.m.

Anyone with information concerning these incidents is urged to contact city police at (845) 451-4000 or the Tip Line at (845) 451-7577. Parents are also urged to remind their children that intentionally damaging another person’s property is a crime.

The City of Poughkeepsie Police Department has received four reports of vehicle break-ins since Friday, Nov. 9.

On Friday, Nov. 9, at 8:51 a.m., a vehicle break-in was reported on Franklin Street. A suspect was seen rifling through the victim’s vehicle before fleeing west on Franklin Street. He is described as a black male wearing blue jeans, a black hooded sweatshirt with a black jacket over it. A Palm Pilot and cash were taken.

Vehicle break-ins were also reported in the areas of Duane Street, Cannon Street and Mansion Street. Property stolen includes purses, school books, an MP3 player and change. The City of Poughkeepsie Police Department reminds residents not to leave valuable items in their vehicles and to lock their vehicles when unattended, even for short periods of time.

Anyone with information about these incidents is urged to call city police at (845) 451-4000 or the Tip Line at (845) 451-7577.

Franklin Street Case Number: 07-32297

Duane Street Case Number: 07-32480

Cannon Street Case Number: 07-32536

Mansion Street Case Number: 07-32567

City of Poughkeepsie Police are investigating an armed robbery at a North Hamilton Street store in the area of High and Cottage streets.

The robbery occurred at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 13. The suspect, who is described as a white male with a medium build, wearing all black, a black mask and gloves, pointed a gun at the store’s clerk and demanded money. The suspect was possibly operating an older black pick-up truck.

Anyone with any information about this incident is urged to contact city police at (845) 451-4000 or the Tip Line at (845) 451-7577. Refer to Case Number 07-32581.

City of Poughkeepsie Police are investigating three possibly-related robberies in the Upper South area of the city.

At 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 13, in the area of 551 Main Street, a woman was the victim of a purse snatching. The suspect is described as a black male wearing black jeans, a black hooded sweatshirt and a black hat. He fled north on Palmer Avenue and then West on Main Street.

At 8:00 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 12, in the area of 1 Gray Street, the victim was approached by two black males, one of whom displayed a handgun while the other took the victim’s wallet. Both are described as being their 20s, of thin builds, wearing all black with hoods covering their faces. They fled south on Gray Street through backyards towards May Street.

At 2:50 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 11, two victims were robbed in the area of 11 South White Street. One was grabbed from behind and had a knife put to his throat. The other victim had a gun pointed at him by a second suspect who demanded money. Both suspects fled towards Main Street. They are described as black males, approximately 6’2” with medium builds and dark complexions. One was clean-shaven and wearing a black hooded sweatshirt. The other had some facial hair and a diamond earring in his left ear; he was wearing a red hooded sweatshirt with white writing on the front.

Anyone with any information about any of these incidents is urged to contact city police at (845) 451-4000 or the Tip Line at (845) 451-7577.

Main Street Robbery Case Number: 07-32708

Gray Street Robbery Case Number: 07-32615

South White Street Robbery Case Number: 07-32512

Nancy E. Schaefer, who was wanted by the Dutchess County Court for a felony warrant, was apprehended by City of Poughkeepsie Police on Nov. 13. She is no longer sought by this department.

Three vehicle break-ins were reported to City of Poughkeepsie Police on Nov. 14 and 15.

One occurred overnight on Gaskin Road and was reported to police at 7:55 a.m. on Nov. 15. The driver side window was smashed with a brick and the vehicle owner’s wallet was stolen.

Between 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. on Nov. 14, a car was broken into on Washington Street. The window was broken and a purse was stolen.

On Rinaldi Boulevard, a wallet and loose change were stolen from an unlocked vehicle between 7:00 p.m. on Nov. 13 and 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 14.

City Police remind citizens to never leave valuable property in your vehicle and to lock it at all times. If you observe suspicious subjects in or around vehicles, call police immediately at (845) 451-4000. 

Ronald Pace is wanted by City of Poughkeepsie Court for a felony charge related to an illegal drug offense in the City of Poughkeepsie. He is a 43-year-old black male who last resided at 455 Main Street, Apt. 302. Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Pace is asked to contact the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department at (845) 451-4000.

The City of Poughkeepsie Police Department responded to eight reports of vehicle break-ins over the weekend and this morning (Nov. 19). In most cases car windows were broken and purses were taken.

The incidents occurred on the following streets: Garden Street, Parker Avenue, Mill Street, Academy Street, Market Street, Forbus Street and Virginia Avenue.

The City of Poughkeepsie Police Department urges all motorists to never leave their valuables in their vehicles. Vehicle break-ins are crimes of opportunity and thieves look for valuable items to steal. If you must leave valuables in your vehicle, secure them in your trunk.

If your vehicle is broken into, report it to the police immediately. Do no touch your vehicle or rummage through it to avoid contaminating potential evidence.

Anyone with information about these incidents is urged to contact City Police at (845) 451-4000 or the Tip Line at (845) 451-7577.