Traffic stop on Route 9 reveals warrant
A loud muffler led to the arrest of a Pennsylvania driver on Route 9 in Philipstown on March 22 after a Putnam County sheriff’s deputy found he had an outstanding bench warrant for a probation violation. The driver also was allegedly in possession of narcotics and a stolen, loaded .32 caliber handgun.
Deputy Sheriff Ronald Yeager stopped a vehicle driven by Benjamin F. Stine IV, 24, at 1:19 a.m. on Wednesday, March 22, for having an excessively loud muffler. A computer check revealed Stine, of Hop Bottom, Pennsylvania, was wanted on a bench warrant issued in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania for a probation violation.
Besides the gun, Stine also allegedly had an illegal gravity knife, hypodermic needles and substances suspected to be crystal methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana.
Stine was charged with two felonies (possession of a weapon and possession of stolen property), three misdemeanors (possessing a hypodermic instrument and possession of controlled substances), a violation (possession of marijuana) and traffic infractions. He was arraigned before Putnam Valley Town Justice Gina Capone, acting on behalf of the Philipstown Justice Court.
Capone sent the defendant to the Putnam County jail in lieu of $75,000 cash bail or $150,000 bail bond, pending an appearance in the Philipstown court. Susquehanna County authorities said they planned to extradite Stine on the warrant.