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Dutchess Man Uses Brother’s Identity to Avoid Arrest
A Dutchess County resident was arrested by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department on December 17, 2006 after he allegedly falsely identified himself to police during an investigation in order to prevent being arrested.
According to the Sheriff’s Department, at about 3:22pm on December 17th, Deputy Sheriff Johnathan Bradley was on patrol along Route 301 in the Village of Nelsonville when he initiated a traffic stop of a speeding vehicle. When the vehicle finally stopped, in the Village of Cold Spring, Deputy Bradley made contact with the driver, identified as Stephen Birrittella, 37, of Poughkeepsie.
During the interview, the deputy recognized Mr. Birrittella had a warrant for his arrest, issued by the Town of Philipstown Justice Court, on a forgery charge. When informed of the warrant, the subject identified himself using his brother’s name.
During the investigation and subsequent arrest, Mr. Birrittella continued to insist he was his brother. Mr. Birrittella’s identity was confirmed after New York State Trooper Kosilla spoke to the subject’s brother while Cold
Spring Police Officer Russell provided photographs of Mr. Birrittella that were on file at the department. The defendant was taken into custody and charged with Criminal Impersonation in the Second Degree and Obstructing Government Administration of Justice in the Village of Cold Spring, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the Third Degree and a traffic summons for speeding in the Village of Nelsonville, and the warrant charge in the Town of Philipstown.
Mr. Birrittella was arraigned before Philipstown Town Judge Alan Steiner and remanded to the Putnam County Correctional Facility in lieu of $5,000 bail. Mr. Birrittella will make appearances in the respective courts in the near future. The investigation into this matter is ongoing.
The underlying forgery charge is a felony punishable by up to 7 years’ imprisonment and a maximum fine of $5,000. The impersonation and obstruction charges are misdemeanors each punishable by up to one year in jail and a maximum fine of $1,000. The AUO charge is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a maximum fine of $500.
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