STONY POINT MAN ARRAIGNED ON MURDER & WEAPONS CHARGES

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announced today the arraignment of Robert Rodriguez, 36 of Stony Point, New York following an indictment by a Rockland County Grand Jury. Rodriguez was indicted on Murder in the Second Degree (PL § 125.25(1)), Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (PL § 265.03(1)(b), Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (PL § 265.03(3)), Arson in the Second Degree (PL § 150.15), Tampering with Physical Evidence (PL § 215.40(2)), and Concealment of a Human Corpse (PL § 195.02).

On the evening of February 15, 2021, the defendant Robert Rodriguez shot the victim, Ronald Mann on the property at Rodriguez’s home located at 417 Call Hollow Road, Haverstraw. The defendant then drove the victim’s car with the deceased inside to Exit 16 on the Palisades Interstate Parkway, located in the Town of Stony Point. After parking the car in a snowbank off the side of the road near Exit 16, in the early morning hours of February 16, 2021, the defendant doused the victim’s car in gasoline and set the car ablaze, with the victim still inside the vehicle. The defendant then fled the area.

An extensive investigation was led by the New York State Police, which ultimately led to the arrest of Robert Rodriguez on February 9, 2024. He was remanded to the Rockland County Jail and was thereafter indicted by the Rockland County Grand Jury on February 14, 2024.

District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II said, “Today’s arraignment is a crucial step in our pursuit of justice for the victim. I commend the thorough investigation by the New York State Police, who worked closely with Assistant District Attorneys from my Office and other agencies. As alleged, the defendant’s actions on that day resulted in the tragic death of the victim. This case shows any individual who commits a heinous crime that you will be held fully accountable under the law.”

The case was investigated by the New York State Police, New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control, Rockland County Sheriff’s Department, Town of Stony Point Police Department, Village of Suffern Police Department, Town of Haverstraw Police Department, Town of Clarkstown Police Department, NYPD, Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office (New Jersey), Bergen County Sheriff's Office (New Jersey), and the Rockland County Medical Examiner's Office. Executive Assistant District Attorney Nabeela McLeod, Executive Assistant District Attorney Michael Dugandzic, and Supervising Assistant District Attorney Michael Peterson prosecuted the case.

The defendant appeared before Judge Kevin Russo and was remanded to Rockland County Jail.

It should be noted that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation, and that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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