July 7, 2008

Illegal immigrant held in Brewster burglary, trespass

Terence Corcoran
The Journal News

BREWSTER - An illegal immigrant from Guatemala is being held today at the Putnam County jail after he entered a woman's apartment without her permission, police said. He is also facing burglary and imprisonment charges in another incident involving the same woman.

Marcos Morales, 23, of 138 Main St. was charged Wednesday with second-degree criminal trespass, a misdemeanor, after he climbing through an open window, according to the Putnam County Sheriff's Office. Morales and the woman are neighbors, police said.

Putnam Sgt. John Alfano and Deputy Thomas DesJardins handled the initial investigation with assistance from Brewster village police.

They then turned the case over to Sheriff's Investigator Stephen Tricinelli, who determined that on April 9 Morales entered the home illegally and held the woman against her will, police said.

Morales was charged in that case with second-degree burglary, a felony, and unlawful imprisonment, a misdemeanor, police said. The victim had not reported that incident at the time, police said.

Tricinelli interviewed Morales with assistance from Trooper Eric Rosado, who is assigned to the Brewster barracks and speaks Spanish.

Once Putnam County jail officials determined that Morales was in the country illegally, they contacted federal immigration officials, per jail policy.

Morales is scheduled to appear in Village Court at 5:30 p.m. today for a felony hearing.


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