License Plate Reader Technology Helps Solve Illegal Dumping Case

PUTNAM VALLEY, NY — A 50-year-old Newburgh man has been charged with illegal dumping in Putnam Valley.

Deputy Kevin Radovich was flagged down Oct. 13 by the groundskeeper of Blair Lodge on Peekskill Hollow Road. The groundskeeper reported that recent surveillance captured footage of a pink Dodge van entering the property and dumping a couch and other items.

Working on the investigation, Radovich was able to get the license plate number of the vehicle. However, when he ran the plate in New York's DMV database it came back to a blue Dodge van.

That van was registered to Ernest Young of Newburgh.

On Sunday, Radovich sought assistance from the Westchester County Real Time Crime Center.

Police allege that, viewing footage from the Crime Center’s license plate reader database, Deputy Radovich was able to confirm that the Dodge Van registered as the blue van was the pink van that had dumped the property on the Blair Lodge property.

Radovich contacted Young and met him at noon at the Blair Lodge. Young removed the items. He was charged with violating one count of Putnam Valley Code – Illegal Dumping, a violation, and one count of Penal Law violation Trespass. He was issued an appearance ticket to return to the Town of Putnam Valley Justice Court.

“This is just another example of the importance of License Plate Readers in criminal
investigations” said Putnam County Sheriff Robert Langley.