Crime & Safety
Putnam Couple Accused Of Hate Crime In Somers
Police said they violated an order of protection and tried to remove the victim from a vehicle by force.
SOMERS, NY — State police charged a Putnam County couple after accusing them of a hate crime. Around 8:15 p.m. July 6, troopers responded to the Chili's Bar and Grill parking lot on Route 6 in the Town of Somers for a report of a domestic dispute.
Police said Antonio Vuksanaj, 50, and Gina L. Vuksanaj, 50, of Carmel, violated an order of protection and blocked a victim from getting away.
According to authorities, the Vuksanajs tried to get the victim out of a car using force. They also damaged the victim's vehicle with a tire iron.
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Police said the crimes committed against the victim appear to be biased in nature due to the victim's sexual orientation.
Both Antonio and Gina Vuksanaj were charged with second-degree criminal mischief as a hate crime and first-degree criminal contempt, felonies, and second-degree unlawful imprisonment and first-degree harassment, misdemeanors.
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Additional, Antonio Vuksanaj was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a felony, due to a previous weapon-related conviction.
The couple was arraigned in the Town of Somers Court and sent to the Westchester County Jail in lieu of $7,500 bail or $7,500 bond.
An additional full stay away order of protection was requested on behalf of the victim and granted by the court.
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