Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith reports the arrest of an Orange County man twice in the same day during two separate incidents.

On November 28, 2016 at 8:44 a.m., Deputy Sheriff Benjamin Levine stopped a speeding motorist on Route 9D in the Town of Philipstown. Upon approach, the deputy detected the odor of marijuana emanating from the interior of the vehicle and observed evidence of marijuana usage in the interior of the vehicle. The deputy identified the driver as Kyle B. Hetman, 18, of Fort Montgomery, New York. An investigation revealed that Mr. Hetman was in possession of a quantity of marijuana. The deputy arrested Mr. Hetman and charged him with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, a violation. The defendant was processed at the scene and released in his own recognizance pending a December 19, 2016 appearance in the Town of Philipstown Justice Court.

Later that date, at 11:31 a.m., Mr. Hetman made a report to the Sheriff’s Department concerning a burglary in progress at a residence in the Town of Philipstown. Hetman stated to Sheriff’s Department investigators that earlier that morning, while acting as the caretaker of the residence of a friend, he encountered a man inside the residence. Mr. Hetman states that the man assaulted him in the residence and then fled into surrounding 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. The efforts of all agencies were unsuccessful in locating the subject. At the request of Sheriff’s Department investigators, Mr. Hetman drove himself to PCSDheadquarters in Carmel for a further interview. After being questioned about inconsistencies in his story, Mr. Hetman admitted to having fabricated his story. Mr. Hetman was then placed under arrest and charged with Falsely Reporting an Incident in the Third Degree and with Making a False Punishable Written Statement, misdemeanors. Mr. Hetman was released in his own recognizance pending a December 13, 2016 appearance in the Town of Carmel Justice Court.

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