Town of New Windsor Police Press Releases

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Police Arrest Man in Connection to Flag Pole Vandalism Incidents

PRESS RELEASE


Police Arrest Man in Connection to Flag Pole Vandalism Incidents


This is a joint press release by New Windsor & Washingtonville Police Departments


Release Date – August 14, 2020:


The Town of New Windsor Police Department arrested a man today in connection with two flag poles being cut down in the Town of New Windsor. The first incident was reported on July 9th at a commercial strip mall on Windsor Highway and the second incident was reported at a cemetery on Erie Ave. on July 10th. Additionally, this same man was charged by the Village of Washingtonville Police Department for their July 8th incidents involving the cutting down of a flagpole at their 911 memorial and for vandalism to a church owned sign in their village.


Arrested was: Andre P. Narbonne, 40 years old, of the Town of New Windsor. He was charged with 2 counts of Criminal Mischief, second degree (class D felonies), 1 count of Criminal Mischief, third degree (class E felony) and 1 count of Criminal Mischief, fourth degree (class A misdemeanor). Mr. Narbonne was arraigned by New Windsor Town Justice George J. Meyers IV. Mr. Narbonne was released without bail due to the charges in this case being non-bail qualifying offenses under the new bail reform provisions of the law. Mr. Narbonne is scheduled appear in New Windsor Town Court on Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. and in the Village of Washingtonville Court on Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. for further court action.


Mr. Narbonne left the area for the State of Washington just after committing the crimes in New Windsor and this delayed his arrest until recently when he returned to New York.


New Windsor Police Chief Robert L. Doss commented on the two New Windsor incidents, “I am very proud of the New Windsor Police Officers that were able to identify Mr. Narbonne as the perpetrator of these crimes and I am very thankful to our Law Enforcement partners that assisted us in this investigation. These deeply disturbing incidents involving flag poles being cut down in New Windsor are disgraceful and offensive. The fact that both flag poles involved were proudly flying American flags when they were cut down just adds to the outrageousness of these crimes. Our country’s flag has been an inspiring symbol of democracy, justice and freedom for over 200 years. It is sickening to me that someone could do something like this while not caring about the sacrifices that have been suffered by those who have defended our freedom.”

Village of Washingtonville Police Chief Brian Zaccaro commented on the incidents that occurred in Washingtonville, “Today brings some closure from the unsettling incidents that were discovered in the Town of New Windsor and the Village of Washingtonville early this past July. This individual would have never
expected that the damage he deliberately caused would have resulted in the mass outpouring from the community and the attention of the nation. While there is some negative publicity that law enforcement has been receiving lately, I want to point out that this arrest, is a perfect example of how different law enforcement agencies work closely together every single day to solve crimes. If it was not for the dedicated and professional men and women in our law enforcement agencies, crimes like these could easily go unsolved. But that did not happen here, we worked tirelessly and shared information with each other so we could bring closure to both our great communities. I am profoundly proud of the hard work that everyone did to bring someone to justice on these cases.” 

Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler stated, “Obviously, the deliberate defacing and destruction of flag-poles and property in areas set aside to remember the fallen heroes of September 11, 2001, and at places of religious worship is especially distressing to all in the community. I am deeply grateful for the hard-work, professionalism and cooperation that our local, state and federal law enforcement partners have shown in this investigation, which is emblematic of their overall untiring efforts to protect all Orange County’s residents and property.”

The Town of New Windsor Police Department and the Village of Washingtonville Police Department were assisted in this investigation by several partner Law Enforcement agencies. They include: the New York State Police, the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the U.S. Marshall’s Service, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office,
the Orange County District Attorney’s Office and the Hudson Valley Crime Analysis Center. 

Anyone with additional information regarding these crimes can contact the New Windsor Police Department at (845)565-7000 or the Village of Washingtonville Police Department at (845)496-9123.



Photos:
1. Shows a subject standing next to a flagpole at a commercial strip mall on Windsor Highway in New Windsor as it is being cutting it down and the American Flag is seen coming down with it.
2. Shows the damaged flagpole at Washingtonville 911 Memorial and the writing left on pole

The New Windsor Police Department and the Village of Washingtonville Department will not be releasing the booking photograph of Mr. Narbonne due to it now being prohibited under New York Public Officers Law, Section 89, which was amended in mid-2019 to prohibit the release of booking photographs due to it being an “unwarranted invasion of personal privacy” unless it serves a Law Enforcement purpose.


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.
 



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