3-Day, Multi-Agency, 'Real Time' Enforcement Operation Led To Dozens Of Arrests: Sheriff

PUTNAM COUNTY, NY — With the help of cutting-edge technology, and a little help from some friends, law enforcement in Putnam County went on a cleaning spree.

The Putnam County Sheriff's Office says that, in collaboration with the New York State Police and the Westchester/Putnam Real-Time Crime Center, they conducted a three-day targeted enforcement operation focused on vehicle theft, weapons trafficking, and narcotics distribution, helping to clean up the streets.

Members of the Sheriff's Office Special Investigations Unit, the Conditions Unit, and the Patrol Division conducted operations throughout Putnam County, using real-time intelligence, license plate reader technology, and coordinated patrols.

Over the three-day operation, 849 traffic stops were conducted; 273 traffic tickets were issued; 45 arrests were made; eight fugitives were captured; 23 stolen vehicles were recovered (valued at approximately $812,020); over three kilograms of narcotics were seized, and one firearm was recovered.

The following were included among those arrested:

• Anthony Luca, 47, Patterson: seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance; turned over to Carmel PD on an active warrant.
• Kristen Walsh, 41, Carmel: third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance/criminal sale; released after arraignment.
• Rayquan Cumberbatch, 39, Cortlandt: second-degree forged instrument (NY plates); released.
• Dielston Garcia De Matos Stefanis, 33, West Hartford, Connecticut: second-degree forged instrument (PA plates); released.
• Jeffrey Gottsfeld, 50, Carmel: fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance; remanded to jail.
• Taylor Piguave Poveda, 30, Prospect, Connecticut: fifth-degree stolen property/third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation; released with appearance ticket.
• Raymundo Lopez, 40, NYC: false impersonation; released with appearance ticket.
• Gabriel Young, 36, Yonkers: counterfeit U.S. currency (~$10,000); remanded.
• Fabian Coke, 34, Bronx: counterfeit U.S. currency (~$10,000); remanded.
• Francisco Salgado, 55, Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania: petit larceny; arrested after theft from a business.

"This operation highlights the continued efforts of the Putnam County Sheriff's Office and its law enforcement partners to proactively address criminal activity and enhance public safety," the sheriff's office said in a statement posted on social media.