Claverack, New York – Since December of 2021, the State Police in Columbia County have been investigating numerous larceny complaints in and around the Claverack area.  Investigators tracking local crime trends had asked the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement.

As a result, eight arrests were made on June 14, 2022, after several lengthy and intense investigations thanks to the help of members of the communities we serve, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office.

After the execution of numerous search warrants including one at a residence on Route 217 in Claverack and two vehicle traffic stops the following subjects were arrested:

Brad R. Hapeman, age 48, of Claverack, arrested for:

• Five counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3^rd degree – B felony
• Grand Larceny in the 3^rd degree – D felony
• Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the 3^rd degree – D felony
• Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 5^thdegree – D felony
• Conspiracy in the 5^th degree – A misdemeanor
• Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7^th degree – A misdemeanor
• Criminal use of Drug Paraphernalia – A misdemeanor
• Reckless Driving – unclassified misdemeanor

Elizabeth Poulter, age 31, of Claverack, arrested for:

• Four counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3^rd degree – B felony
• Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the 3^rd degree – D felony
• Conspiracy in the 5^th degree – A misdemeanor
• Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7^th degree – A misdemeanor

Tonya T. Perez, age 39, of Claverack arrested for:

• Four counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3^rd degree – B felony
• Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 4^thdegree – C felony
• Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the 3^rd degree – D felony
• Criminal Nuisance in the 1^st degree – E felony
• Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the 1^st degree – E felony
• Conspiracy in the 5^th degree – A misdemeanor
• Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7^th degree – A misdemeanor
• Reckless Endangerment in the 2^nd degree – A misdemeanor
• Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs – unclassified misdemeanor

Crawford Boice, age 29, of Ghent, NY, arrested for:

• Four counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3^rd degree – B felony
• Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the 3^rd degree – D felony
• Conspiracy in the 5^th degree – A misdemeanor
• Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7^th degree – A misdemeanor

Angela Bridgham, age 37, of Claverack, arrested for:

• Four counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3^rd degree – B felony
• Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the 3^rd degree – D felony
• Conspiracy in the 5^th degree – A misdemeanor
• Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7^th degree – A misdemeanor

James P. Charron, age 23, of Claverack, arrested for:

• Four counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3^rd degree – B felony
• Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the 3^rd degree – D felony
• Criminal Nuisance in the 1^st degree – E felony
• Conspiracy in the 5^th degree – A misdemeanor
• Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7^th degree – A misdemeanor

Denise M. Charron, age 57, of Claverack, arrested for:

• Four counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3^rd degree – B felony
• Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the 3^rd degree – D felony
• Criminal Nuisance in the 1^st degree – E felony
• Conspiracy in the 5^th degree – A misdemeanor
• Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7^th degree – A misdemeanor

Nichole L. Spillane, age 24, of Hudson, NY, arrested for:

• Four counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3^rd degree – B felony
• Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the 3^rd degree – D felony
• Conspiracy in the 5^th degree – A misdemeanor
• Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7^th degree – A misdemeanor

Stolen catalytic converters, various power tools, binoculars and spotting scopes, a dump trailer, and woodchipper were all recovered.  Drugs seized included approximately 32.3 grams of cocaine, 4.3 grams of crack-cocaine, 2.7 grams of fentanyl, 9.9 grams of 3,4-Methyl?enedioxy?methamphetamine (MDMA), 5.6 grams of amphetamine heroin mixture, 3.4 grams of fentanyl heroin mixture, 15.8 grams of lorazepam, 0.9 grams of clonazepam, 0.4 grams of alprazolam, dozens of oxycodone pills, and a small amount of Percocet.

The above suspects were arraigned before the Honorable Judge Cozzolino of the town of Claverack Court.  Brad Hapeman was remanded to the Columbia County Jail without bail, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for June 20, 2022, at 5:00 p.m.  All others were released on their own recognizance to reappear before the court on July 12, 2022, at 5:00 p.m.

The State Police have an arrest warrant and are still searching for Robert E. Perez, age 41, of Claverack, for felony charges stemming from this investigation.  Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Robert Perez, should contact the New York State Police immediately.  You should not take any police-action yourself other than to call the New York State Police at (518) 851-3111 or (845) 677-7300.  Please reference case# 10885236.

This investigation remains ongoing.