HIGHLAND, NY – A 24-year-old Wallkill woman is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly robbing a liquor store in Highland and assaulting a responding New York State Trooper, officials announced Thursday.
Robbery Report Leads to Arrests
State Police were dispatched around 8:40 p.m. following a report of a robbery at a liquor store located on Route 9W in Highland. While heading to the scene, Troopers spotted a vehicle matching the suspect description — a Nissan Murano — traveling west on Route 44/55. A traffic stop was conducted, revealing four adult occupants and two children inside the car.
Suspect Becomes Combative During Stop
The driver, later identified as Selena Fonda Bressendorff, 24, of Wallkill, became combative during the traffic stop and physically assaulted one of the Troopers while being questioned. After regaining control of the situation, police detained all four adults and transported them to the State Police barracks in Highland for processing.
Liquor Store Altercation Caught on Investigation
Further investigation revealed that Bressendorff and the other three suspects — Jahnya Bressendorff, 22, Jennifer A. Robertson, 20, both of Wallkill, and an 18-year-old whose name has not been released due to age — were involved in the incident at the liquor store. Robertson reportedly got into a physical altercation with a store employee before the group fled the scene.
Multiple Felony Charges Filed
Selena Bressendorff was charged with the following:
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Second-degree robbery (felony)
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Second-degree assault (felony) – for intentionally causing injury to a law enforcement officer
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Conspiracy to commit a Class B or C felony (felony)
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Two counts of endangering the welfare of a child (misdemeanor)
Meanwhile, Jahnya Bressendorff, Jennifer Robertson, and the 18-year-old juvenile each face second-degree robbery charges and additional related offenses.
Children Transferred to Third Party
The two children present in the vehicle were turned over to a third party after the arrests. Their relationship to the suspects has not been publicly disclosed.
Arraignment and Detention
All four individuals were arraigned in Ulster County Jail CAP Court on Thursday and were subsequently remanded to Ulster County Jail without bail.
Ongoing Investigation
The New York State Police were assisted at the scene by the Marlborough and Lloyd Police Departments. Authorities have confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing and further charges may be forthcoming.
Anyone with additional information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact the New York State Police.
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