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Saturday, December 30, 2023
Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Bronx Business News You Can Use
Friday, December 29, 2023
Attorney General's Office of Special Investigation Opens Investigation into Civilian Death in The Bronx
The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has opened an investigation into the death of Michael Dotel, who died on December 23, 2023 after an encounter with members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in the Bronx.
On the morning of December 23, NYPD officers responded to a residence in the Bronx following reports of a domestic dispute. Upon arrival, officers found Mr. Dotel with his arm wrapped around a woman’s neck with a knife. She and a second woman present at the scene appeared to have been slashed by Mr. Dotel. An officer fired at Mr. Dotel, striking him in the head. Mr. Dotel was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Officers recovered a knife at the scene. The two injured women are expected to recover.
Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer may have caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident.
These are preliminary facts and subject to change.
Attorney General James Takes Down Car Theft Ring in The Bronx
Investigation Led by Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force and NYPD Auto Crime Division Leads to Indictment of Two Individuals
Attorney General Letitia James announced the indictment of brothers Ricky Paulino, 25, and Rahinier Paulino, 30, who have been charged with 16 crimes related to theft and possession of vehicles between January and October 2023. The indictment, unsealed in Bronx Supreme Court, came as a result of a joint investigation by the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) and the New York City Police Department’s (NYPD) Auto Crime Division.
“For many New Yorkers, their car is their most valuable possession, and having it stolen can be devastating,” said Attorney General James. “These individuals used sophisticated methods to steal cars throughout New York City, but we are bringing them to justice. I want to thank the NYPD and our partners in law enforcement for their assistance in this investigation to help protect New Yorkers.”
“These men were involved in a complex, high-tech undertaking that victimized innocent New Yorkers,” said NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban. “I commend the dedicated NYPD detectives from our Auto Crime Division who brought these vehicle thieves’ operation to a screeching halt, and I thank our many law enforcement colleagues – especially the investigators and prosecutors from the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force – for recognizing the seriousness and intricacy of this case and helping to build a solid prosecution.”
Surveillance footage of Ricky Paulino entering stolen vehicles
Footage of Ricky Paulino in a stolen vehicle
As alleged in the indictment, from January to October 2023, Ricky Paulino stole at least four Honda vehicles throughout New York City. The investigation revealed that the stolen cars were identified and selected, and on the date of the theft, Paulino and others drove in a “follow car” to the parked location of the desired vehicle. Once they arrived, Paulino would break into the desired vehicle and reprogram the vehicle’s computer system to gain control of it. In a matter of minutes, Paulino was able to steal a vehicle without sounding alarms or drawing any attention, even in a dense urban setting. Paulino was also able to reprogram the vehicle to stop recognizing the true owners’ electronic keys, so that their keys stopped working. The stolen vehicles were then transported into the Bronx. Paulino’s crimes did not stop at New York’s borders. During one of the thefts, the follow car was tracked to a location in Massachusetts where the stolen vehicle was later observed and identified.
The investigation further revealed that Ricky Paulino and Rahinier Paulino acted together to sell a stolen vehicle in the Bronx. The investigation included covert cameras, as well as analysis of data from cellular telephones, license plate readers, vehicle infotainment, and tracking systems.
In a 16-count indictment, Ricky Paulino is charged with Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Second and Third Degrees, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, and Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree. Rahinier Paulino is charged with Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle in the First Degree, and Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree. If convicted, Ricky Paulino faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, and Rahinier Paulino faces a maximum of 7 years in prison.
The charges against the defendants are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Attorney General James would also like to thank the Massachusetts State Police, the Randolph Township Police Department in New Jersey, the Clinton Township Police Department in New Jersey, the Yonkers Police Department, and the Bronx District Attorney’s Office for their valuable participation and assistance in this investigation.
The investigation was jointly led by NYPD Auto Crime Division’s Detective Scott Berger and OCTF Detective Luis Flores. Detective Berger is under the supervision of Sergeant Dominick Pazmino and Lieutenant Daniel Gallagher, and the overall supervision of Inspector Robert LaPollo. Detective Flores is under the supervision of Supervising Detective Bradford Miller, OCTF Assistant Chief Ismael Hernandez and OCTF Deputy Chief Andrew Boss. The Office of the Attorney General’s Investigations Division is led by Chief Oliver Pu-Folkes.
Governor Hochul Announces New York National Guard Leads Nation in Recruiting and Retention
New York Army National Guard Exceeds 107 Percent Strength with Over 11,100 Soldiers Assigned
New York Number One in Quality Strength; Soldiers Attending their Required Military Training
Governor Hochul Met With New York National Guard Leadership to Congratulate Them on Leading the Nation in Recruiting and Retention;
Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the New York Army National Guard was first in the nation in recruiting and retaining soldiers for the federal Fiscal Year 2023. The New York National Guard achieved a score of 118.12 percent for the 12 months from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023, according to a year-end analysis of each state’s recruiting and retention success. The score is based on the number of enlisted soldiers, the number of new officers and warrant officers who joined, and the number of soldiers who reenlisted as a percentage of each state’s total Army Guard strength. A score of 100 percent means the state met its recruiting goals. Scores above 100 percent indicate a state exceeded those recruiting goals.
“The New York National Guard has proven time and time again that when they are needed in times of crisis they will be there with the resources and the power to keep their communities safe,” Governor Hochul said. “Their strength, recruiting and retention show impressive leadership and dedication, an organization like no other. Congratulations and thank you to all who serve their fellow New Yorkers – we are grateful for your work.”
Governor Hochul today met with New York National Guard leadership and greeted recruiters and new recruits of the National Guard to congratulate them. This was the third time that New York was rated best in recruiting among the states with “large” Army National Guard contingents and the second time the New York Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion has been rated best in the nation, according to Lt. Col. Josh Heimroth, the commander of New York’s recruiting force.
At the beginning of fiscal year 2023, the NYNG authorized a strength of 10,209 Soldiers and had 10,706 personnel assigned. The NYNG finished the fiscal year with 10,969 Soldiers in the ranks. This reflects an increase of 270 soldiers, 760 soldiers above the authorized strength for the NYNG. During this same year the NYNG recruited 1,594 Soldiers, with 1,521 new enlisted Soldiers and 73 officers who were not previously in the ranks.
Another 1,731 Soldiers chose to reenlist in the NYNG during the year, while 1,235 Soldiers left the force. All these gains and relatively few losses resulted in New York finishing first in overall recruiting achievement for 2023.
Adjutant General of the New York National Guard Major General Ray Shields said, “We just had the best year for our retention mission that we have ever had. Our soldier-first strategy is now showing results and our recruiting and retention teams are performing at an exceptionally high performing level of effort and achievement.”
Success in recruiting and retention also led to the Army Guard ranking New York as the number one state for Army Guard “Strength Health” in 2023. The combination of assigned strength, recruiting efforts, and moving Soldiers who missed drills out of the ranks without delay resulted in this designation for fiscal year 2023. This recruiting success has also allowed New York to add a division artillery headquarters and a finance battalion headquarters to the New York Army Guard force structure.
Statewide Deployment
Throughout the COVID pandemic the NYNG was deployed throughout New York, providing more than 1.8 million workdays over a 27-month period. Additionally, since September of 2022, the NYNG has been responding to the Asylum Seeker support mission where our service members have assisted New York City and Western New York with 612,000 workdays to date.
Nationwide Deployment
In June, Governor Hochul deployed the New York Air National Guard's 106th Rescue Wing to assist the United States Coast Guard search and rescue operation for a missing submersible which had been exploring the wreckage of the Titanic. NYNG Soldiers are also currently deployed in Arizona at the Southern Border.
Global Deployment
NYNG Soldiers have been deployed in Europe to support training for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Africa, and other overseas missions throughout 2023.
The NYNG is also continuing to strengthen ties with foreign militaries. The NYNG and the Danish military command responsible for patrolling Greenland plan to start conducting joint training, key leader discussions, and exchange observers in 2024 and 2025. A Statement of Intent outlining the partnership arrangement was signed during a November 7 meeting between Major General Ray Shields and Major General Søren Andersen, commander of the Danish Joint Arctic Command, at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham.