Please find and view the most up to date news and information regarding the Town of New Windsor Police Department listed below.
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Orange County News For Immediate Release Contact: Christopher Borek November 6, 2020 845.291.3276, 845.238.4245c
District Attorney Hoovler Announces Murder Charges
In Death of Missing City of Newburgh Woman
Man Indicted for Murdering 36-Year-Old Woman
Victim Missing Since November 3, 2019
Body of Victim Not Recovered
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced on Friday, November 6, 2020, that Matthew Mercado, 37, of Newburgh, was arraigned before Orange County Court Judge William L. DeProspo on charges including Murder in the Second Degree, in connection with the death of 36-year-old Jessica Lopez, a City of Newburgh woman who was last seen on November 3, 2019, at the Windsor Motel in the Town of New Windsor.
Mercado had previously been indicted on charges including Burglary in the Second Degree for breaking into room 32 of the Windsor Motel on November 3, 2019, at about 1:35 AM, and stealing two bags from the three young woman who had been sleeping in the room at the time. Mercado has been continually incarcerated since his arrest on November 6, 2019, in connection with those charges. The District Attorney’s Office superseded that case in the Grand Jury and asked the Grand Jury to consider additional evidence concerning the disappearance of Jessica Lopez, who had been staying with Mercado in room 33 of the Windsor Motel the night of Saturday, November 2, 2019, into the morning of Sunday, November 3, 2019. The Grand Jury indicted Mercado for Murder in the Second Degree for intentionally killing Jessica Lopez in room 33 of the motel as Ms. Lopez was attempting to leave the motel at approximately 5:00 AM on November 3, 2019. The Grand Jury also indicted Mercado for a separate count of Murder in the Second Degree for having killed Ms. Lopez during the commission of a robbery or kidnapping of her. Robbery under the law is forcibly stealing property. Mercado is charged with two counts of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree for having stolen Ms. Lopez bank card and stealing approximately $1,500 from her account, most of which was taken out in ATM withdrawals starting at approximately 9:00 AM on November 3, 2019.
Mercado is also charged with three felony counts of Tampering with Physical Evidence. One count alleges that he removed Ms. Lopez’s body from room 33, placed her in the trunk of her car, drove the car to an unknown location and concealed the body. Another count alleges that he deleted text messages between her cellular telephone and his cellular telephone, messages that were sent at about 5:30 AM on November 3, 2019. The third count of Tampering with Physical Evidence alleges that he disposed of Ms. Lopez’s cellular telephone so it could not be used as evidence.
The Grand Jury indicted Mercado again for Burglary in the Second Degree for breaking into room 32 and stealing bags from the three young woman, and added a charge of Criminal Impersonation in the Second Degree for Mercado having told the three young woman that he would not give their bags back and that he was an undercover police officer.
Bail was set in the amount of one-million dollars cash, or three-million dollars secured bond, or ten-million dollars partially secured bond. The case is next scheduled for a virtual conference in County Court on December 2, 2020. Mercado faces up to twenty-five years to life in state prison on the charges of Murder in the Second Degree and up to an additional fifteen years in state prison on the charge of Burglary in the Second Degree.
District Attorney Hoovler highly commended the Town of New Windsor Police Department for their investigation and unceasing efforts in the case, as well as the many law enforcement agencies that aided in the investigation, including the Town of Newburgh Police Department, the City of Newburgh Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Police, and the New York State Police, as well as the civilian volunteers who have searched for Jessica Lopez.
“By all accounts Jessica Lopez was a remarkable young woman and her loss is being severely felt by her family, friends, and many of her former students,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “While recovering her remains will continue to be a high priority for us, we are fully prepared to litigate this case even without her body being recovered. Murder convictions without bodies are permissible under the law and in fact such convictions have occurred before here in Orange County. My heartfelt condolences go out to Ms. Lopez’s family, and my office will do everything in our power to see that the person responsible for her death faces just punishment.”
Chief Robert Doss of the Town of New Windsor Police Department said, “I would like to thank every member of the New Windsor Police Department that worked so diligently on this investigation. It is because of their hard work, along with the assistance of all the other police agencies, that made a difference in this case. I also want to thank District Attorney David Hoovler and his staff for their unwavering support through the process. We will never forget the family of Jessica Lopez, who have been without her in their lives for over a year now. Her mother, father and brother, all live with the constant pain of her loss. I speak for every member of Law Enforcement that worked on this investigation when I say that we stand with them and we will continue to fight for Jessica every day until justice is brought in this case. Our hearts go out to her family and we will continue to pray for them. It is my hope that the news of this indictment will at least begin the process of closure to Jessica’s family and everyone that knew her.”
The case is being prosecuted by Chief Assistant District Attorney Christopher Borek and Senior Assistant District Attorney Kelle Grimmer.
A criminal charge is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the State of New York’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Jessica Lopez
Dispatcher Stephen A Bedetti was recently presented with the New Windsor Police Department ‘Service Achievement Award’ for recently achieving 30 years of service with the town. Dispatcher Bedetti is currently the town's dispatcher supervisor who works closely with all the emergency service agencies in the town. This includes all police, fire and ambulance services. Police Chief Robert Doss stated, “It’s quite the achievement to work at any job for thirty years. The fact that Stephen worked all of those years dispatching and coordinating emergency service personnel throughout the town under stressful circumstances is commendable and I offer my congratulations to him.”
Our latest example of helping an individual get help for their addiction struggle occurred on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 when the individual walked into our police station, bag packed and asked for help for their drug addiction. This person had interacted with one of our Police Officers on two different occasions where the Officer spoke to them about the Hope Not Handcuffs Program and how it works. The Officer “planted the seed” and now the individual is on their way to recovery and a better life.
You do not need to live with a drug or alcohol addiction struggle! Regain control of your life. If you need help, do something about it. As a participating location, the New Windsor Police Department is here to help - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are here for YOU and you will be treated with nothing but dignity and respect. You can also call the Hope Not Handcuffs Hudson Valley Program directly at (833)428-HOPE for immediate assistance.
#EndOverdose
On December 15, 2020, members of the New Windsor Police Department in partnership with the Orange County Sexual Assault Response Team, participated in the ‘Start by Believing Campaign’ by signing pledges to ‘start by believing’ anyone who tells them that they were raped or sexually assaulted. The New Windsor Police Department has long been a partner with the Orange County Sexual Assault Response Team. Members of the Police Department have received special training to investigate sexual crimes and continue to take any reports of these types of crimes very seriously.
If you need to report a sexual assault please contact the Police Department at (845)565-7000.
If you or someone you love is a survivor of sexual violence in need of support, contact Orange County Rape Crisis Team 24/7 by calling 311.
On Friday, April 9, 2021, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York released the below press release announcing the arrest of Tishawn C. Woods and an accomplice on federal charges relating to two gas station robberies that occurred in the Town of New Windsor. These two-armed robberies occurred in the early morning hours of March 22nd and March 28th, 2021 at two different 24-hour gas stations along Little Britain Road near Stewart Airport.
New Windsor Police Chief Robert L. Doss stated, “These serious crimes that were committed by Mr. Woods and his accomplice put innocent lives in danger. Armed robberies are rare occurrences here in New Windsor because we have shown that they will absolutely not be tolerated and we will not rest until the perpetrators are brought to justice. We are committed to using every resource we have at our disposal to solve serious crimes like these. I want to commend our patrol and detective divisions, both of which played a vital role in this case and the investigation. Our close partnership with the F.B.I. Safe Streets Task Force was a critical component in the success of this investigation. Our membership in the task force has undoubtedly made New Windsor a safer place and this has been proven time and time again. I also want to thank the City and Town of Newburgh Police Departments, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District, the Orange County Crime Analysis Center and the O.C. District Attorney’s Office for their valuable assistance. The teamwork and coordination displayed by all of the agencies involved is indeed commendable.”
Link to Press Release from United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York: CLICK HERE
#REPOST from Vails Gate Steam Academy – Newburgh Central School District
Our Senior Gators listen attentively as PO Arcaro from the NWPD shares anti-bullying and internet safety information. The men and women of NWPD are always ready to #ShoulderUp with us and we are thankful for their dedication and service. #NWPD #VGSA 🐊❤️
@newburghschools