News

An Airmont man has been arrested and charged in connection with several car break-ins earlier this month. Ramapo Police Detective Lieutenant Christopher Franklin says 29 year-old Keith Casas was identified as one of the suspects who is believed to be responsible for several larcenies in the village, in which cash, credit cards and personal items were stolen from unlocked vehicles. Casas and other suspects then tried to use the stolen credit cards at retail stores in Rockland County and New Jersey. Casas was arrested Friday and charged with multiple counts of Larceny and Conspiracy. He was released on desk appearance tickets and he’s due back in the Village of Airmont and the Town of Clarkstown Court on later dates. The Ramapo Police Investigations Division is still working to identify the other suspects.

Local Story #3
A Sloatsburg man has been arrested and charged with recruiting people, including a juvenile, to beat and rob the employee of a local business last month. Ramapo Police Detective Lieutenant Christopher Franklin says 42-year old Roberto Astacio, who had been on parole for similar crimes, was charged with Conspiracy, Criminal Solicitation and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. He was sent to the Rockland County Jail for violating parole.

Retail chain Big Lots, which filed for bankruptcy a few months ago, has reached a deal that’s expected to keep hundreds of its stores and distribution centers open. The chain is being sold to Gordon Brothers Retail Partners, which specializes in distressed companies. WRCR market analyst Ken Mahoney of Mahoney Asset Management says Gordon Brothers has a decent track record in situations like this…

The Big Lots location in Nanuet closed in early January. No word yet on whether it or what other locations might re-open. That and another troubled retailer are drawing the attention of another former retail operator. The New York Post reported that Mitch Modell, the former CEO of Modell’s Sporting Goods, which itself went out of business four years ago, is interested in buying Party City and Big Lots.

Funeral services have been set for a former Nyack Fire Department Chief who died Saturday. Miles Taylor began serving as a volunteer with the Nyack Fire Department at the age of 16. He competed in Track at Nyack High School and earlier this year went on to become a Hall-of-Fame coach. He was a video producer with several major networks and worked with the famous Grucci Fireworks Group. Visitation is being held from 3 to 6pm Thursday, January 2nd, and Friday, January 3rd at Hannemann Funeral Home in Nyack. The Nyack Fire Department will hold a Firematic Service at the funeral home on Friday at 6pm, and a memorial service will be held Saturday, January 4th, at 11am at Oak Hill Cemetery in Nyack. Taylor was 60 years old.