Sheriff Brian Hess announces the arrest of a 36-year-old male from the Town of Southeast following an investigation conducted by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.
On February 11, 2026, deputies responded to a local bank in the Town of Southeast after bank officials reported concerns regarding a customer’s behavior, including frequent access to safe deposit boxes and the wearing of what appeared to be a bulletproof vest while inside the bank. Members of the Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit (SIU) initiated an investigation.
On February 17, 2026, investigators located the individual in the Village of Brewster and took him into custody without incident. At the time of his arrest, the individual was wearing a bulletproof vest and a ballistic helmet and was found to be in possession of multiple large knives and an air-powered imitation firearm.
Search warrants were subsequently executed at the individual’s residence in the Village of Brewster and on safe deposit boxes associated with him at the bank. As a result of those searches, investigators recovered multiple electronic stun devices, additional bulletproof vests and ballistic plates, imitation firearms, and other items of concern.
The individual was charged with:
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree (Class A Misdemeanor)
- Unlawful Purchase of Body Armor — First Offense (Class A Misdemeanor)
He was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Village of Brewster Justice Court at a later date.
Following the arrest, he was transported to a local hospital for mental health evaluation and treatment. Information regarding this incident has also been forwarded to the Putnam County Threat Assessment Management Team.
At this time, there is no ongoing threat to the community.
