Highway Dept. Employee Accused of Firing Nail Gun at Co-Worker

Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith reports the arrest of a Mahopac man on charges of menacing and reckless endangerment following an incident at Tilly Foster Farm, where the county is doing a lot of construction work.

Deputy Sheriff Michael Sutherland responded to the farm at 100 Route 312 in Southeast at 12:09 p.m. Jan. 20 for a report of a man firing a nail gun at a co-worker.

An investigation revealed that two employees of the Putnam County Highway Department had become involved in an argument over the use of a ladder at that location.

The man, identified as Santino Pietrosani, 55, of 200 Shear Hill Road, Mahopac, is reported to have picked up a nail gun and fired several 3-inch nails in the direction of the complainant, nearly hitting him or her in the head.

Prior to the deputy’s arrival, Pietrosani was relieved of his duties by a supervisor and directed to report to the Highway Department offices at 842 Fair Street in Patterson, police said.

An eyewitness corroborated the complainant’s account of the incident. The complainant indicated to the deputy that he wished to file criminal charges.

The deputy located Pietropani at 842 Fair Street, arrested and charged him with Menacing in the Second Degree and with Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, misdemeanors. He was arraigned before Town of Kent Justice Kevin Douchkoff on behalf of the Town of Southeast, and released in his own recognizance pending a future court appearance. Judge Douchkoff issued a temporary order of protection against Pietrosano on behalf of the complainant.

If found guilty of the misdemeanor charges, he could face up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.00 for each charge.