New York State Police
The New York State Police announced that it issued 5,576 tickets during this year’s St. Patrick’s Day enforcement initiative. The campaign began on Friday, March 15, and continued until Sunday, March 17. During the campaign, funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, State Police utilized sobriety checkpoints, additional DWI patrols, and underage drinking and sales to minors detail. State Police also ticketed distracted drivers who use handheld electronic devices. State Troopers arrested 132 people for DWI and investigated 199 crashes, which resulted in 25 people being injured and no fatalities. As part of the enforcement, Troopers also targeted speeding and aggressive drivers across the State. Total tickets issued included: Speeding - 1,788; Distracted Driving – 124, Seatbelt violations – 201; Move Over Law – 44. During last year’s St. Patrick’s Day enforcement period, the State Police issued 9,106 tickets and arrested 196 people for DWI. Specifically in the Capital Region Troop designation, 107 total tickets were issued.
Saratoga Springs Police Department
On March 16, at approximately 10:30 a.m., members of the Saratoga Springs Police Department Patrol Division observed the Woodlawn Avenue public parking garage when they observed two individuals enter the vestibule and begin to allegedly engage in the smoking of an illegal substance. After speaking with those involved, a subject identified as 43-year-old Schenectady resident Derek Labutta was detained and arrested for illegally possessing a loaded firearm and numerous narcotics violations. Labutta was arraigned in City Court and held pending a future court date.
Two days later, Labutta was pronounced dead at the Saratoga County Correctional Facility. The Sheriff’s Office reported it was investigating the death of an incarcerated person that was reported at 7:12 p.m. on March 18. Labutta had been found alone in his cell and lifesaving measures were unsuccessful, according to the county Sheriff’s Office. The investigation is ongoing, and the New York State Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation exercised its jurisdiction due to the death of a person in a jail.
Man Charged with Falsely Reporting an Incident, Saratoga Hospital Evacuated After Bomb Threat: A 31-year-old man was charged with falsely reporting an incident, a felony, in connection with an alleged bomb threat at Saratoga Hospital on March 21.
At approximately 8 a.m. on March 21, the Saratoga Springs Police Department was contacted by Saratoga Hospital Staff regarding statements made by someone treated and released by the hospital allegedly claiming to be in possession of bomb while in the Emergency Department. Saratoga Hospital began to evacuate the Emergency Department and Patrol Division members responded to the hospital and located the person suspected of making the threat, according to police.
After a sweep by an explosive detection canine team, it was determined that the suspect did not possess a bomb.
The suspect, Jonathan Gardner, of Schenectady, was arrested and taken to the police department for processing and charged with Falsely Reporting an Incident in the second-degree. Gardner was processed and arraigned in City Court and held pending a future court appearance and $500 cash bail, $2,500 partial bond, or $5,000 bond.
Saratoga County Court
Tiffany M. Salak, 35, of Saratoga Springs, pleaded March 15 to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth-degree, a felony, charged July 2023 in Saratoga Springs. Sentencing May 17.
Ryan T. Matatall, 39, of Gansevoort, pleaded March 15 to driving while ability impaired by drugs, a felony, charged October 2023 in Clifton Park. Sentencing May 17.
Michael A. Rouse, 25, of Troy, pleaded March 18 to criminal possession of a firearm, a felony, charged April 2023 in Waterford. Sentencing May 28.
Matthew J. Gifford, 30, of Saratoga Springs, pleaded March 18 to felony DWI, charged February 2024 in Saratoga Springs. Sentencing May 20.
William A. Perry, 44, of Mechanicville, was sentenced March 20 to 5 years’ probation, after pleading to felony DWI, charged June 2022 in Saratoga Springs.
Lauren J. Demetreus, 29, of Malta, pleaded March 21 to felony DWI, charged October 2023. Sentencing May 30.
John V. Mattison, 58, of Queensbury, was sentenced to 5 days’ incarceration and 5 years’ probation, after pleading to felony DWI, charged November 2023.
