New York State Police are handling several active investigations across New York as of August 9, 2026, including a homicide search, fatal water incidents, a deadly UTV crash, arrests and major criminal investigations.
The latest reports cover incidents in communities from Western New York to Long Island and the Hudson Valley. Recent activity includes a search for a homicide suspect, a fatal boating incident, a missing-swimmer recovery, a stabbing investigation and arrests involving drugs, weapons and fraudulent documents.
Homicide Investigation in Orange County Remains Active
One of the most serious current investigations involves a fatal house fire in the Town of Greenville, Orange County.
Troopers responded to a residence on Greenville Turnpike at approximately 7:30 p.m. on August 6 after receiving a report of a structure fire. Once firefighters extinguished the blaze, investigators discovered a deceased 70-year-old man inside the residence.
Investigators determined that the fire had been intentionally set. The case is being investigated as a homicide.
The victim has been identified as Robert Ryan, 70, of Greenville.
Investigators are seeking Thomas Ryan in connection with the homicide. Authorities say he is believed to be armed and dangerous.
The State Police have warned members of the public not to approach him. Anyone who sees him should immediately contact 911 or law enforcement.
The investigation is being led by the Troop F Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Several specialized units are involved, including the Major Crimes Unit, Computer Crimes Unit, Forensic Identification Unit, Community Stabilization Unit and investigators assigned to the Violent Gangs and Narcotics Enforcement Team.
The investigation also involves the City of Middletown Police Department, City of Port Jervis Police Department, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, New York City Police Department and FBI.
Investigators have asked residents in the Greenville area to review home security footage recorded from approximately 6 p.m. on August 6 through the overnight hours.
A gray 2016 Toyota Prius with New York registration HNH7671 has also been connected to the investigation.
Thomas Ryan is known to frequent the Plattsburgh area in Clinton County. The State Police have asked anyone with information about his whereabouts to avoid contact and immediately notify authorities.
As of the latest update on August 8, the search remained active.
Buffalo Harbor Swimmer Found Dead
A separate fatal investigation is underway in Buffalo following the disappearance of a swimmer at Buffalo Harbor State Park.
Shortly after midnight on August 8, investigators assisted New York State Park Police and the Buffalo Police Department after receiving a missing-swimmer report.
Investigators determined that 21-year-old Kenyan S. Potter of West Seneca had been swimming in the outer harbor before being reported missing.
A coordinated search followed.
The Buffalo Police Department’s Marine Unit and Underwater Recovery Team eventually located Potter deceased.
Several agencies assisted with the response. They included the Buffalo Fire Department, Erie County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police and Erie County Sheriff’s Office Air 1.
The State Police also used unmanned aircraft resources during the search.
The Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene. An autopsy was scheduled as investigators continued determining the circumstances surrounding the death.
The initial report did not announce a final cause of death.
Fatal Boating Incident at Captree State Park
Long Island authorities are investigating another fatal water incident after a boat capsized at Captree State Park.
At approximately 8:37 p.m. on August 7, emergency personnel responded to the Captree State Park piers in the Town of Islip.
The investigation found that a 58-year-old man was attempting to launch a 16-foot Boston Whaler.
The vessel struck the docks several times before capsizing.
The man became trapped beneath the boat.
Responders recovered him and transported him to Good Samaritan Hospital. He was later pronounced dead.
The response involved New York State Police, New York State Parks Police, Suffolk County Marine Patrol and the U.S. Coast Guard.
The investigation remains active. Authorities have not announced a final determination regarding the circumstances that caused the vessel to strike the docks and overturn.
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Deadly UTV Crash Under Investigation in Lewis County
A fatal crash involving a pickup truck and multiple utility terrain vehicles is under investigation in the Town of Montague.
Troopers responded to Liberty Road at approximately 5:06 p.m. on August 6.
Investigators determined that two UTVs had stopped on the northbound side of the road. One of the vehicles, a 2023 Yamaha, had become disabled because of a broken belt.
The operator of another UTV, a 2024 Polaris, attempted to help tow the disabled vehicle.
A 2023 Ram pickup truck traveling northbound then struck the Polaris.
The impact caused the Polaris to spin and overturn.
Its operator, 61-year-old Michael E. Rounds of Carthage, died at the scene.
The pickup truck driver was identified as 26-year-old Lucas J. Goutermout of Copenhagen.
The crash continued to involve another UTV after the pickup driver attempted to move into the southbound lane. The truck struck a third UTV, a 2017 Polaris operated by 80-year-old John I. Failing of Pearl River.
Failing and Goutermout were not injured.
A Drug Recognition Expert conducted standardized field sobriety testing on Goutermout. Investigators reported that no signs of impairment were observed.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Lewis County Search and Rescue and the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene.
Sodus Stabbing Investigation Involves Two Teenagers
State Police are also investigating a stabbing in Sodus.
Troopers responded to the Subway parking lot on West Main Street at approximately 8:10 p.m. on August 6 after receiving a report of a stabbing.
Investigators determined that two 17-year-old males became involved in a physical confrontation.
The two teenagers reportedly had a history of altercations.
During the confrontation, one teenager suffered a stab wound to the abdomen.
Emergency personnel transported the victim to Strong Memorial Hospital for treatment. He was listed in stable condition in the initial State Police report.
The other teenager was identified as a suspect. His parents later brought him back to the scene after learning that investigators were searching for him.
The suspect and his parents cooperated with investigators.
Because the individuals involved are minors, authorities did not release additional identifying information.
The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the investigation.
Three Arrested After Mount Vernon Traffic Stop
A traffic stop in Mount Vernon led to three arrests and the seizure of cocaine, fraudulent documents and a U.S. Treasury check.
Members of the State Police Troop K Community Stabilization Unit conducted the traffic stop at approximately 7:06 p.m. on August 6.
The stop took place near Sanford Boulevard and South 3rd Avenue following vehicle and traffic violations.
Investigators reported finding cocaine, fraudulent documents and a U.S. Treasury check during the investigation.
Three people were arrested.
The case remains part of the State Police’s broader criminal enforcement activity in the Hudson Valley region.
The investigation demonstrates how traffic enforcement can develop into a larger criminal case when officers identify additional evidence during a stop.
Black Brook Search Leads to Weapons Arrest
A major weapons investigation in Clinton County resulted in the seizure of dozens of firearms and other items.
Members of the State Police Violent Gangs and Narcotics Enforcement Team executed a search warrant on August 4 at a residence on Birchwood Drive in the Town of Black Brook.
Investigators seized 42 firearms.
The seized weapons included two fully assembled assault rifles and a modified sawed-off shotgun.
Police also recovered components for additional assault rifles, 11 high-capacity ammunition feeding devices and a large quantity of assorted ammunition.
Investigators also seized approximately 50.9 grams of psilocybin mushrooms.
Michael S. Ward was arrested following the search.
Ward faces three counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree and one count of Criminal Possession of a Firearm.
The weapon possession charges include felony counts.
Ward was arraigned and remanded to the Clinton County Jail.
The case demonstrates the work of specialized State Police teams that investigate suspected weapons and narcotics activity.
Drug Arrest Follows Traffic Stop in Potsdam
Another recent investigation began with a traffic stop in St. Lawrence County.
At approximately 11:05 a.m. on August 4, troopers observed a 2016 Subaru committing a vehicle and traffic violation on Austin Ridge Road in the Town of Potsdam.
The driver was identified as 49-year-old Tabitha M. Martin of Nicholville.
During the stop, troopers reported suspicious behavior and requested assistance from the St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office.
A Sheriff’s Office K9 alerted to narcotics inside the vehicle.
Investigators conducted a search and reported recovering narcotics and drug paraphernalia.
Martin was arrested and taken to the State Police barracks in Massena for processing.
She was released on an appearance ticket and scheduled to appear in Potsdam Town Court.
Fake Inspection Sticker Found During Homer Stop
State Police also made an arrest after discovering an allegedly fraudulent vehicle inspection sticker during a traffic stop in Homer.
A trooper stopped a 2013 Subaru Legacy on Interstate 81 at approximately 11:54 a.m. on August 6.
The vehicle had committed vehicle and traffic violations.
During the investigation, police determined that the vehicle did not have a valid inspection.
Department of Motor Vehicles records showed that its inspection had expired in 2024.
Despite the expired inspection, the vehicle displayed what appeared to be a valid inspection sticker.
The trooper determined that the sticker was fraudulent.
Investigators also found that the driver’s license had been revoked.
The driver was identified as 32-year-old Otis Lavon Tillie of Syracuse.
Tillie received tickets for Forged Inspection Certificate and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the Second Degree.
The Subaru was impounded.
State Police Warn About Gold and Cryptocurrency Scams
Beyond arrests and criminal investigations, State Police are also warning New Yorkers about financial scams involving cryptocurrency and precious metals.
Troop E recently issued a public service announcement concerning scams that target residents, particularly older adults and their families.
Scammers may present fraudulent investment opportunities involving cryptocurrency or gold bars and coins.
Authorities warn that legitimate investment companies, financial institutions, government agencies and law enforcement organizations do not instruct people to purchase gold bars to protect their assets.
They also do not direct victims to hand cash or precious metals to couriers or transfer cryptocurrency to supposedly protect their money.
People targeted by these schemes are encouraged to stop communicating with suspected scammers and avoid sending additional funds or assets.
They should also contact their financial institution and report suspected internet-related fraud through the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Recent Safety Enforcement Across New York
Traffic and occupant safety remain another important part of State Police activity.
The agency recently participated with New York State Park Police in the statewide Buckle Up New York Parks Occupant Safety Initiative.
The initiative ran from July 6 through August 6 and focused on state parks with higher numbers of child restraint violations.
The effort emphasized proper seat belt use and appropriate child passenger restraints.
State Police have also continued public safety activities involving traffic enforcement, vehicle inspections and roadside investigations.
These operations form part of the agency’s broader responsibilities across New York.
What New Yorkers Should Know About Current Cases
Several of the latest investigations remain open.
The Orange County homicide search is particularly active, with authorities asking the public to report sightings of Thomas Ryan rather than attempting to intervene.
The Buffalo Harbor death and Captree boating fatality also remain under investigation.
Meanwhile, investigators continue examining the fatal UTV crash in Montague and the stabbing in Sodus.
Recent arrests in Black Brook, Mount Vernon, Potsdam and Homer show the range of cases handled by State Police units across the state.
The latest reports also demonstrate how State Police work alongside local police departments, sheriff’s offices, fire departments, park police and federal agencies.
Investigations can continue after an initial arrest or emergency response. Authorities may conduct additional interviews, collect evidence and complete forensic examinations before announcing further findings.
For residents, the most important step during an active investigation is to follow official instructions and avoid interfering with police activity.
Latest New York State Police Update
As of August 9, 2026, the agency’s most significant active cases include the Orange County homicide investigation, the search for Thomas Ryan, fatal incidents at Buffalo Harbor State Park and Captree State Park, and the deadly UTV crash in Lewis County.
Other recent investigations include the Sodus stabbing, the Black Brook weapons case, the Mount Vernon traffic-stop arrests, the Potsdam drug arrest and the Homer fraudulent inspection case.
The continuing reports highlight the wide range of law enforcement responsibilities handled by State Police throughout New York.
What do you think about the latest New York State Police developments? Share your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned for confirmed updates.