RAMAPO MAN CONVICTED AT TRIAL ON MULTIPLE FELONY CHARGES
Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announced today that Bernard Salas, 46, of Ramapo, New York was convicted on felony and misdemeanor charges following a jury trial in the County Court of Rockland County before the Honorable Anne B. Bianchi on May 16, 2024.
The charges for which the defendant was convicted stemmed from two incidents.
On July 14, 2023, the defendant went into an unoccupied parked vehicle in the Village of Spring Valley and stole a bag containing keys, paperwork, an electric scooter, and expired credit cards. He also stole air pods from a second unoccupied vehicle. Both vehicles were parked in the driveway of the residence.
On December 7, 2023, the defendant attempted to cash a check, at a local bank. The check was reported stolen out of a parked vehicle in the driveway of a home within the Town of Ramapo the evening before. This check, which was previously blank, was now falsely completed containing the victim’s forged signature. The check was made out for $7,500 and the payee listed was the defendant. The employees at the bank became suspicious of the check and refused to cash it for the defendant. Upon hearing their refusal, the defendant became irate and would not leave when told to do so by the bank staff. Police were called to the scene. The defendant refused to leave and continued cursing at and threatening the bank staff and responding officers. He was placed under arrest for Trespass and Disorderly Conduct. He resisted arrest and spit in the face of one officer. He also scratched and clawed at the hand of another police officer, causing the officer to bleed. Members of the Town of Ramapo Police Department took custody of the check. The entire incident was captured on video surveillance at the bank.
Bernard Salas was convicted on the following charges:
1 count of Criminal Possession of a Forged instrument in the Second Degree (a class D Felony)
1 count of Attempted Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (a class E Felony)
1 count of Petit Larceny (a class A Misdemeanor)
1 count of Resisting Arrest (a class A Misdemeanor)
1 count of Attempted Assault in the Third Degree (a class B Misdemeanor)
1 count of Trespass (a violation)
1 count of Harassment in the Second Degree (a violation)
1 count of Disorderly Conduct (a violation)
District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II said, “The defendant in this case has shown on multiple occasions a clear disregard for the rule of law. Today's conviction shows the dedication and commitment of law enforcement and our Assistant District Attorneys to hold individuals accountable for their criminal activities. We will continue to work with our partners in law enforcement to ensure that our neighborhoods are safe for all residents.”
Salas was remanded after the verdict and is currently incarcerated in the Rockland County Jail. He is scheduled to be sentenced on August 13, 2024. The defendant faces a mandatory minimum of at least 2-4 years in state prison or up to 3 ½-7 years in state prison with respect to the top count in the Indictment upon which he was convicted, Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree. The defendant is a mandatory predicate felon, with 4 prior felony convictions, and 9 previous misdemeanor convictions. At the time of sentencing, the Court could hold a hearing and has the discretion to sentence the defendant as a persistent felony offender to a minimum of 15 years to life in prison.
Supervising Assistant District Attorney Michael Peterson and Senior Assistant District Attorney Morgan Czarnik prosecuted this case.
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