News Staff

Saratoga Springs police are seeking information about a man apparently responsible for four robberies in the city since last Saturday. According to WNYT, one was on Saturday around 5 p.m. at Super Smoke N Save on West Avenue. The other three were on Monday. Those robberies started at 1:45 p.m. at the Xtra Mart on South Broadway, 4:22 p.m. at I Love New York Pizza on Congress Street and 4:30 p.m. at Post Time Wine and Spirits on South Broadway.

State Police in Clifton Park arrested 45-year-old Allison L. Bechtold of Albany for Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated,
At approximately 12:34 a.m. on February 21, 2022, a troop car occupied by two troopers was stopped at the traffic light on Vischer Ferry Road at the intersection of Crescent Road in the town of Halfmoon when it was struck from behind by another vehicle. No one was injured in the crash. Allison Bechtold, was administered roadside sobriety tests and taken into custody for driving under the influence.

The state Labor Department says they have added more employees to their call centers to answer tax questions. Callers to WNYT had said they were directed through a series of prompts only to be disconnected. Gov. Hochul has now lifted a hiring freeze, they have added more employees to assist in call centers.

NXIVM’s Nancy Salzman was expected to begin her prison sentence Monday. The Times Union reports that was the deadline for Salzman to report to Alderson Federal Prison Camp in West Virginia. Salzman was sentenced to 3 ½ years behind bars after pleading guilty to racketeering conspiracy in 2019.

State Police in Wilton arrested Austin S. Griffith of Gansevoort for Burglary, Criminal Mischief, Petit Larceny and Harassment .
State Police were called to a Gansevoort residence for a domestic dispute at approximately 4:42 a.m. on the morning of February 13, 2022. A couple hours later police say Griffith was involved in a home burglary. He took off by the time police got there but was found shortly thereafter at the scene of the first incident.

On February 12, 2022, the New York State Police conducted an Underaged Drinking Enforcement Detail in Saratoga County. During the initiative 20 businesses were checked for compliance. One person was charged with Unlawful Dealing with a Child 1st degree after selling alcohol to persons under the age of 21. The business found not to be in compliance during the check was Saratoga Wine & Spirits on Maple Ave. in Saratoga.

Gov. Hochul says New York state has seen a 97% drop in cases since January 7. According to WNYT, there’s also a 72% drop in hospitalizations since the January 12 peak. The 7-day average positivity is below 2.98%, the lowest since November 10th.

State Police in Brunswick arrested 49 year old Thomas B. Waicul of Halfmoon for driving while intoxicated. WRGB reports
Waicul also had 2 previous conviction which included Aggravated Unlicensed Operation and Circumventing an Interlock Device. Police say he was initially stopped after he committed multiple traffic violations white traveling on Brickyard Road in Schagticoke.

A 36-year-old has pled guilty to aggravated identity theft and distribution of methamphetamine, plus, making fake government identification documents. WRGB reports Matthan Carroll admitted in court to selling 277,41 grams of of methamphetamine and sending a portion of that methamphetamine through the U.S. mail. He was also accused of using a Clifton Park P.O. box to receive shipments of methamphetamine.

Police don’t suspect foul play in the a deadly fall this week at DeCrescente Distributing in Mechanicville. WNYT reports the victim has been identified as 36-year-old Jeffrey Pasinello of Brunswick. He fell about 30 to 40 feet Wednesday, while working with a subcontractor.