Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith reports the arrest of a Putnam County man on a felony criminal charge stemming from an armed robbery which occurred in the Town of Philipstown. On Monday, July 19 at about 5:40PM, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an armed robbery at R&S Dry Cleaners, located at Philipstown Square, on Route 9.
Uniformed deputies and investigators responded to the scene to investigate the incident. According to information gathered by the officers, a man had entered the business, brandished a large kitchen-type knife and ordered the clerk to give him the money from the cash register. When the clerk didn’t move quickly enough, the robber grabbed the clerk, threw her against the counter and slapped her in the head. She sustained minor injuries as a result of the attack. The suspect then went around the counter, removed cash from the cash register and fled from the scene.
The case was referred to Investigators Robert Ferris and James Bambino of the Sheriff’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation. With the assistance of Deputy Robert Detlefs, investigators identified the suspected bandit as 52 year-old Kevin Michael Gleavy of 12 Broken Wings Way, Philipstown, New York.
The officers staked out the suspect’s house and arrested him several hours later as he drove on Rte 9. Gleavy was arrested without incident and charged with Robbery in the First Degree, a class “B” felony. Gleavy was arraigned before Philipstown Town Justice Steven Tomann and was remanded to the Putnam County Correctional Facility in lieu of $200,000 cash bail or $200,000 secured bond.
The clerk, who sustained minor injuries, was treated at the scene by paramedics and released.
The suspect’s vehicle was seized as evidence and asset forfeiture proceedings are underway with the assistance from the Putnam County District Attorney’s Office. If convicted of the robbery charge, Mr. Gleavy may be sentenced to a term of up to 25-years in a New York State correctional facility.
Sheriff Smith praised the deputies and investigators who worked on this case, saying “I am extremely proud of those dedicated members of the Sheriff’s Office who worked on this case bringing it to a successful conclusion within just twenty-four hours. Their swift and efficient investigative skills enabled them to remove a suspected dangerous criminal off our streets and face justice.”
