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MIDDLETOWN POLICE ARREST 2 LOCAL MEN WITH 3 HANDGUNS AND MARIHUANA
JULY 31, 2009

 The City of Middletown Police has arrested two Middletown men for possession of several handguns and marihuana. On July 30, 2009, at approximately 1:30 pm, during the course of an investigation into recent burglaries, officers from the City of Middletown Police Department assisted investigators from the New York State Police Troop F with conducting a vehicle stop in the area of 161 Wisner Ave. While the vehicle stop was underway, a male subject was observed jumping from a south-facing second story apartment window of 161 Wisner Avenue. The subject, later identified as Jamie Cates, a.k.a. "Malice" age 33, of Middletown, briefly fled northerly, on Wisner Avenue, but was apprehended a few yards from the residence. While investigating further, officers were alerted by the occupant of an adjacent apartment at 161 Wisner Avenue that a subject, later identified as Rahman Alexander, age 31, also of Middletown, had trespassed through his apartment and proceeded to the back of the building.

A search warrant was obtained for apartment 2, 161 Wisner Avenue. The execution of the search warrant was conducted by members of the Middletown Police, the Middletown Narcotics Unit, the Crime Suppression Team, and the Detective Bureau. Three handguns and 13.65 ounces of marihuana were recovered during the search. The handguns were described as a Ruger 9mm semi-automatic handgun, a .38 Smith and Wesson revolver and a STAR .380 semi-automatic handgun. In addition to the 13.65 ounces of marihuana, digital scales, drug paraphernalia and numerous items used for packaging marihuana were secured. The street value of the marihuana is estimated at about $2000. Sgt. Joseph Tobin, of the Middletown Community Policing Unit, led the warrant search. “It is important to get these 3 handguns off the streets of Middletown and out of the hands of these 2 men.” Chief Matthew Byrne was quick to give credit to Tobin’s team and the New York State Police. “These two defendants jumped when they saw the police in their driveway. They had felony weight marihuana, packaging material, 3 handguns, and a bullet proof vest. It is all part of the illegal drug trade that so many are quick to label as ‘non-violent’. The heads up police work by the State Police and the follow through by our officers and detectives made this possible and will make our streets safer.”

Rahman Alexander, age 31, of 32 Prospect Street in the City of Middletown, was charged with three counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree a misdemeanor and one count of Criminal Possession of Marihuana in the Third Degree, a felony. In addition, Alexander was charged with Criminal Trespass 2nd, a misdemeanor.

Jamie Cates, age 33, of 527 Overlook Drive in the City of Middletown, was charged with three counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree and one count of Criminal Possession of Marihuana in the Third Degree, all of which are felonies.

Both defendant were arraigned before Hon. Judge Michael Schwartz this morning. Cates is being held without bail due to 2 previous felony convictions; Alexander's bail was set at $3000. cash or $6000. bond on the felonies and $750. cash or $1500. bond on the misdemeanor.

The initial vehicle stop by the New York State Police and City of Middletown Police Officers resulted in multiple arrests by the New York State Police for recent burglaries. Details of those arrests are forthcoming from Troop F Middletown.