TOWN OF NEWBURGH – A 33-year-old Newburgh man was arrested by Newburgh Town Police on Thursday afternoon while at the Walmart store on Route 300 following a report of a larceny in progress and the suspect fighting with an officer.

Police took Jeffrey Odom into custody at the scene.

Odom has 10 open charges from previous incidents where he fled after stealing several times from Walmart, Target and Market 32, all in the Town of Newburgh.

He was arraigned and charged with four counts of burglary and eight counts of petit larceny.

Odom was released without bail pending a future court date.

Town of Newburgh Police were assisted at the scene by New Windsor Police, State Police and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

Odom had a female accomplice at the scene, who fled the store during his arrest. She is also wanted for questioning in several previous larcenies committed by Odom.

WARWICK- The Town of Warwick Police Department (WPD) has opened registrations for their annual Junior Police Academy (JPA) to be held in July and August of 2023.

The JPA provides children with the opportunity to experience the various aspects of police work in a fun and structured setting.  Registration is currently open to all children ages 10 to 15 residing in the Town of Warwick and the academy is a collaborative effort between the WPD and the Warwick Valley Central School District.

Two separate sessions will be held at the Warwick Valley High School, located at 89 Sanfordville Road in Warwick.  Session one will be take place from July 10 through July 21, and session two will be held from July 31 through August 11.  The program begins at 8:30 a.m. and concludes at 3:00 p.m.  In order to qualify, children must be available to attend all 10 days of the program.  

Led by the WPD’s school resource officers, the goal of the program is for children to enjoy themselves and gain an understanding of the demands of police training and service.  The JPA consists of physical training, lectures, presentations, field trips, and hands‐on activities. 

All children wishing to apply must first complete a two-question essay.  It is recommended to register early for this program due to limited capacity.  The cost for the program is $250 and includes two WPD JPA shirts, a hat, and a water bottle.  To register by the June 10 application deadline, visit www.wpdjpa.com.

WASHINGTON- Congressman Pat Ryan invited high school students from New York’s 18th District to participate in the annual Congressional Art Competition, in which the winner’s piece will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year alongside winning artwork from all 50 states.  This annual contest is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the artistic talent of young New Yorkers.  Full details and instructions can be found on Ryan’s website.

“I could not be more excited to see the talent, creativity and skill of students across the Hudson Valley as we kick-off this year’s annual Congressional Art Competition,” said Representative Pat Ryan.  “This is an opportunity for students in New York and across the country to express themselves through art, and I encourage all high schoolers in NY-18 to submit entries.  The winning artwork will hang in a hallway I walk through every day to the House Floor, and I look forward to seeing the masterpieces from New York and all 50 states.”

Student entries may include paintings, drawings, collages, prints, mixed media, computer-generated art, and photography.  Any high school student who resides in New York’s 18th District may submit one piece for consideration.

Students must drop off or mail submissions to the Congressman’s Newburgh district office located at 650 Broadway, Newburgh, NY 12550 by 4:00pm on Friday, April 21, 2023.

Click here for full details and submission instructions.

MIDDLETOWN – A 25-year-old Middletown man is under arrest in the City of Middletown following execution of a search warrant early Friday morning.

The police department’s narcotics unit and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Group arrested Kenneth Middleton for the sale and trafficking of heroin in and around Middletown.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office assisted in the investigation.

During the no-knock warrant at 147 Prospect Avenue, police recovered 139 bags of heroin/fentanyl, one gram of crack cocaine, 28 rounds of 9 mm ammunitions, two scales and $247 in cash.

Middleton was charged with criminal possession of drugs as well as on an outstanding bench warrant for failing to appear in Middletown City Court on a separate charge of aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

He was arraigned and remanded to the Orange County Jail on cash bail due to the outstanding bench warrant.

A second person, Montana Stephenson, 25, of the City of Middletown, was also arrested and charged with one misdemeanor count of drug possession.

Earlier this week, Middletown Police responded to the same neighborhood for a report of shots fired.

Police said while the two incidents are not definitively related, individuals involved with narcotics trafficking have a strong propensity for violence and often possess illegal weapons.

City police will continue to crack down on drug crime, officials said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the police at 845-343-3151 or on the anonymous narcotics tipline at 845-346-4009.