Please find and view the most up to date news and information regarding the Town of New Windsor Police Department listed below.
Missing Person Investigation - Issued January 22, 2026
Jessica Lopez, also known as Yessica Lopez, was reported missing to the City of Newburgh Police Department on November 3, 2019. Investigation into her whereabouts has now shown that the last place she was seen was the Windsor Motel on Rt 9W in the Town of New Windsor in the early morning hours of November 3, 2019. Ms. Lopez has not been heard from since and she is missing under suspicious circumstances.
Ms. Lopez’s silver 2005 Toyota Camry, NY Registration JDC9597, has been located by police at Showtime Cinema on Rt 300 in the Town of Newburgh, as previously reported. Police are now asking for the community’s help in determining where her vehicle traveled on Sunday, November 3, 2019 before it was parked at Showtime Cinema. Anyone having seen Ms. Lopez’s vehicle (see photos) between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on November 3, 2019 is asked to contact police at (845)565-7000. We are also urging local businesses and homeowners to review their security camera footage during this timeframe to see if her vehicle happens to be captured on video. The Town of New Windsor Police Department is now the lead agency investigating this missing person report. Since taking over the investigation, police investigators have followed up on over 200 leads. In addition to following up on leads, over the past several days an extensive ground search has been undertaken in the Northern New Windsor area including areas in the City and Town of Newburgh. Assisting the New Windsor Police in this investigation is: The New York State Police, Town & City of Newburgh Police Departments, FBI Safe Streets Task Force, Orange County District Attorney’s Office, Hudson Valley Crime Analysis Center, New York State DEC Police and Forest Rangers, DEA, Orange & Putnam County Sheriff’s Offices, Westchester County Police Dept., and the Ramapo Search & Rescue. This matter is still under active investigation and police are continuing to follow up on several leads. Anyone that may know something about Ms. Lopez’s whereabouts is urged to call the New Windsor Police immediately at (845)565-7000. Additional press releases will be distributed by the New Windsor Police Department when more information becomes available. See vehicle photos provided. Thank you.
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
PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE #23-12 Issued on: August 14, 2023
The New Windsor Police Department has announced a new program to aid members of vulnerable populations. The department has created a voluntary registry where family members may supply vital information about loved ones who are prone to wandering. This may include individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia, Autism, Traumatic Brain Injury or any other type of special needs, physical or mental disability.
Participation in this program is completely voluntary and information provided will be kept at the Police Department and only used when necessary to identify or locate a missing or wandering person. In the event of an emergency, this information can allow officers to quickly and efficiently handle any incident that may arise. It provides officers with relevant and pertinent details that aid in identifying and reconnecting vulnerable persons with their loved one when minutes count.
New Windsor Police Chief, Dan Valeri stated, “Often times, police officers encounter individuals who may not be able to identify themselves or provide their home address. Being able to search the registry, can assist officers in identifying these individuals and getting them home safely. Additionally, when a family member needs to report their loved one missing, the necessary information is already available for police to disseminate and begin a search.”
The goal of the program is to promote community safety, improve officer safety, increase the efficiency of operations, and give community members some peace of mind for loved ones that may be prone to wandering.
Registration forms are available online by clicking HERE or in person at the Police Department or Town Clerk, Kelly Allegra’s Office. For further information about the program, contact Sgt. Sylvester at 563-4660.
The New Windsor Police Department has concluded its investigation into the cause of the October 21, 2020 fatal three vehicle collision involving a Washingtonville Central School District bus, a commercial tree service truck and a BMW sedan. The two-month long investigation determined that the commercial tree service truck, operated by Ian K. Jennings, crossed over the double yellow line and entered the oncoming Eastbound lane of traffic causing the collision with the school bus and the sedan.
Toxicology results from the New York State Police lab determined that alcohol and drugs were not a contributing factor in this collision. Accident reconstruction investigators were able to rule out excessive speed as well as any type of mechanical failure on the part of the commercial tree service truck. Investigators also determined that Mr. Jennings was not using his cellular phone nor did he suffer any type of medical event just prior to the collision.
Ian K. Jennings, 25 years old from Grahamsville, New York was cited for two violations of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law which include failure to keep right (section 1120A) and failure to wear a seatbelt (section 1229). He was given a court date of February 2, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. before New Windsor Town Justice George J. Meyers IV.
Chief of Police Robert L. Doss commented on the investigation, “As a result of our investigation, it was determined we do not have evidence to support any criminal charges in this case. It comes down to this being a case of a driver that was inattentive behind the wheel. Whether Mr. Jennings was drowsy or distracted by something in or around the vehicle he was operating we will never know. Mr. Jennings received two traffic summonses for his role in this horrific collision that unfortunately took the life of Andrew Sanchez and seriously injured a six-year old girl. In a matter of just a few seconds, so many lives were changed forever. The family and friends of Mr. Sanchez suffer his loss every day and the Washingtonville Central School District lost a very special employee. I want to thank the New York State Police and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance in this investigation.”
District Attorney David M. Hoovler stated, “I commend the Town of New Windsor Police Department and the New York State Police for their diligence and thoroughness in this investigation. The tragic consequences of this collision are no doubt most keenly felt by the family and friends of the deceased, the severely injured six-year old girl and her family and friends. The whole community is saddened by their loss. Although there was no finding of criminal liability in this case, my office has assigned an experienced assistant district attorney to prosecute the traffic summonses which were issued.”
Media Contact: Deputy Chief Michael Farbent - mfarbent@newwindsor-ny-gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE #23-10 Issued on: 06/09/23
On June 8, 2023, The Town of New Windsor Police Department, in conjunction with investigators from the New York State Police, conducted an undercover investigation into prostitution and unlicensed / illegal massages being conducted at several locations in the Town of New Windsor. This investigation resulted in the arrest of three (3) persons, all charged with one (1) count of Unauthorized Practice of a Profession, under the NYS Education Law – Section 6512 (E-Felony) and one (1) count of Prostitution – Penal Law 230.00 (B-Misdemeanor).
None of the defendants held professional licenses, as required by law, to practice the acts, each performed on the undercover officers and each also solicited the officer for sexual acts.
This investigation was initiated, after the New Windsor Police Department received several complaints from residents and local businesses of suspicious activity occurring at these locations.
The following persons were arrested at the following businesses:
A & A Spa – 357 Windsor Hwy, New Windsor: Jung Sook Kim, 62, of Jackson, NJ Sun & Moon Spa – 357 Old Forge Hill Road, New Windsor: Enshu Kim, 49, of Flushing, NY The Massage Spa – 3141 Rt. 9W, New Windsor: Heni Zhou, 41, of New Hyde Park, NY
All three (3) were released on appearance tickets and are scheduled to appear on July 11, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. in the Town of New Windsor Justice Court.
Police Chief Dan Valeri stated, “I anticipate additional undercover operations and inspections of these types of massage parlors in the future. Let this be a warning to those who operate these types of illicit businesses and to those individuals who visit them. We will not tolerate this type of activity in this town.”
Supervisor George Meyers added, “If this activity doesn’t cease, we will be monitoring the license plates of those that patronize these businesses.”
PRESS RELEASE
Police assist first person into ‘Hope Not Handcuffs’ program for treatment
Release Date – August 12, 2020:
The Town of New Windsor Police Department assisted its first person into the Hope Not Handcuffs program today, just more than a week after the program went live with the department. The person heard about the program and walked into to the Police Department lobby looking for help with his drug addiction. He was soon greeted by Officer Anthony Weed and Officer Brian Levy, who began the first steps in the process with him. As part of the program, the Officers contacted a volunteer ‘angel’ to respond to the police station to complete the process of locating a treatment facility for the individual.
Police Chief Robert Doss stated, “It is my hope that this is just the first of many people who will come to the Police Department for help with their addictions. We all know that there are several people in our community that are battling with addiction related issues every day. I want people to understand that we are here to help and to assist them in any way possible. It is a huge moment in a person’s life when they finally decide that they just can’t live a certain way anymore and they decide to do something about it. This program works but it can only work with community trust in the Police Department. This man trusted us when he had nowhere else to turn and we were able to help him begin his journey to recovery. It is truly a wonderful thing to be able to help people in this way.”
Photo: Officer Brian Levy (L) and Officer Anthony Weed (R) stand near the new Hope Not Handcuffs sign at Police Headquarters
The Hope Not Handcuffs organization works with local law enforcement agencies to provide support. A person struggling with any addiction can voluntarily walk in to a participating Police Department, like in New Windsor, and ask for help. They will be greeted with support, compassion and respect. A trained Angel volunteer will be called to the station to help find treatment. The Hope Not Handcuffs program is a community outreach program designed to reach people struggling with drug addiction to encourage them to seek recovery and regain control of their lives. It is community members taking care of community members.