LIBERTY, NY —On May, 5, 2018, the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Patrol was called to investigate a dumping complaint on Barton Road in the Town of Liberty. At the location deputies met with Town Supervisor Brian Rourke who pointed out where several bags of garbage had been thrown. The deputies examined the scene and gathered evidence which led them to a residence at #6 Carrier Street in the Village of Liberty. After interviewing the occupants, the deputies arrested Deborah E. Male, 66, and Larigo J. Male, 17, for illegal dumping under the Town of Liberty Local Law. Both suspects were issued appearance tickets to appear in the Town of Liberty Court on May 29, 2018 at 10:00 AM.

This incident is the latest in a string of dumping complaints that the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office has investigated in the Town of Liberty. In November a Bethel man was accused of stealing a camera that had been set up by the Town to catch illegal dumpers. When deputies attempted to arrest Josh Vanduser, 35, on a warrant for petit larceny, he led police on a chase from Swan Lake to Cochecton, nearly ramming a Constable’s car. Vanduser was recently indicted by a grand jury in that case and is awaiting trial.

Sheriff Mike Schiff says that his office considers dumping complaints a serious “quality of life” crime. “We will investigate,” said the Sheriff, “and if we can make an arrest, we will”.