Assault Report Sets off Manhunt, Leads to 2nd Arrest in 1 Day

CARMEL, NY — An Orange County man who set off a massive manhunt in Putnam County complete with K9s and a helicopter was actually arrested twice in the same day.

It all started at 8:44 a.m. Nov. 28, when Deputy Sheriff Benjamin Levine stopped a speeding motorist on Route 9D in Philipstown. As he approached, Levine detected the odor of marijuana emanating from inside the car and observed evidence of marijuana usage, police said.

The deputy identified the driver as Kyle B. Hetman of Fort Montgomery, NY, and charged him with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, a violation. The 18-year-old was processed at the scene and released.

About three hours later, Hetman made a report to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department concerning a burglary in progress at a friend's residence in Philipstown. Hetman told the investigator that earlier that morning, while acting as the caretaker, he encountered a man inside the residence. He said the man assaulted him and then fled into the nearby woods.

Prompted by this report, many area law enforcement agencies, including the PCSD, New York State Police, Village of Cold Spring Police Department, MTA Police and Westchester County Police responded to the area and/or assisted in the initial investigation. Police K9 units and a police helicopter were dispatched to the scene in an attempt to locate the alleged suspect. Their efforts were unsuccessful.

At the request of Sheriff’s Department investigators, Hetman drove himself to PCSD headquarters in Carmel for a further interview. Questioned about inconsistencies in his story, he admitted to having made it up.

Hetman was then charged with Falsely Reporting an Incident in the Third Degree and with Making a False Punishable Written Statement, misdemeanors.

Again he was released.

He's due in Carmel town court, on the misdemeanor charges, Dec. 13. He's due in Philipstown town court Dec. 19 on the violation.

If found guilty of the misdemeanor charges, he could face up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000 for each charge.