May 21, 2003

Contact: Ian Michaels (718) 595-6600

Statement Of DEP Police Chief Edward J. Welch On Arrest In Town Of Olive, Ulster County

On Tuesday, May 20, 2003 at 6:10 a.m. Environmental Police Officers Tavin Novi and Travis Bernstein, assigned to the NYC Department of Environmental Protection Police Division’s 4th Precinct, arrested a 16-year male on State Route 28 in the Town of Olive, Ulster County, for multiple felony counts of grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property under the following circumstances:

Pursuant to an investigation, officers approached the subject occupying a gray 1995 Subaru station wagon. Investigation revealed the auto was recently stolen and that there were two loaded shotguns in the back seat. Further investigation determined that the subject also stole four other vehicles in Otsego and Delaware Counties and committed several other larcenies in order to make good his escape from Otsego County.

Department of Environmental Protection Police arrested the subject for two counts each of Grand Larceny, 3rd degree (D Felony) and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, 4th degree (E Felony). Subject was arraigned by Justice Wright in The Town of Olive Court and remanded to the Ulster County Jail in lieu of $25,000.00 bail. Charges are pending in Delaware and Otsego Counties. Investigation is continuing by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection Police and the New York State Police.