NEW YORK STATE POLICE
TROOP K
LIVINGSTON BARRACKS
518 851-2001
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January 16, 2012
On January 16, 2012
State Police Troopers at Kinderhook and Livingston along with BCI at Livingston arrested Jozef J. Ortiz, 18 of Valatie and
a 15 year old male of Kinderhook for Arson.
The State Police arrested the two males in connection with a series of fires in the Town
of Kinderhook between January 12 and January 14.
On January 14 at approximately 1:30 am the Niverville Fire Dept. was dispatched to a fire
at the Napa Store on SR-9 in the Town of Kinderhook. Upon arrival the Fire Chief located a utility vehicle fully involved.
The subsequent investigation
by the Fire Dept. and New York State Police revealed the fire was caused by Arson. The investigation into
other related crimes in the town is ongoing and numerous other charges are pending.
The defendants were charged with
1 count each of Arson in the 3rd degree, a Class C Felony. Ortiz was arraigned in the Town of
Greenport Court and remanded to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $15,000 bail or $30,000 bond. He is
returnable to the Town of Kinderhook court on 1/17/12. The 15 year old was issued a
Family Court Appearance Ticket returnable to the Columbia County Probation Department on 1/17/12.
