A flurry of Croton-linked criminal cases is keeping local police and courts busy.

An alleged explosive device thrown on Van Wyck Street; a villager allegedly scammed of $20,000; a Croton man accused of violating a protection order; and Oliver Fernandez is out on bail.

Over the past several days, Croton and state police have been working overtime chasing alleged criminals either in or from Croton. The following is based on media releases issued by the Croton Police Department and the New York State Police.

Ralph V. Sedlmayer, 39, of Croton-on-Hudson

On May 13, New York State Police announced that Ralph Sedlmayer of Croton had been arrested on multiple charges related to violation of a protective order. According to the media release:

“On April 28, 2025, a victim reported to State Police in Somers that a vehicle nearly collided with her vehicle. The victim identified the driver as resembling her ex-boyfriend, Sedlmayer, who is the subject of an active Temporary Order of Protection.

A thorough investigation conducted by BCI determined that Sedlmayer had been operating the vehicle in question and was observed in close proximity to the victim on multiple occasions. Investigators also discovered that Sedlmayer had created a social media account used to contact the victim, further violating the court order.

As a result of the investigation, Sedlmayer was arrested and charged with the following:

• Criminal Contempt in the First Degree (class E felony)

• Stalking in the Fourth Degree (class B misdemeanor)

• Harassment in the First Degree (class B misdemeanor)

• Menacing in the Second Degree – Violation of Order of Protection (class A misdemeanor)

Sedlmayer was arraigned in the Town of Somers Court and remanded to Westchester County Jail on $750 cash bail. He is scheduled to appear in the Town of North Salem Court on May 19, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.”

Dengjin Chen, 44, of Flushing

Yesterday, May 13, Croton police announced the arrest of Dengjin Chen for allegedly attempting to scam at least $20,000 from a Croton resident. According to the media release, on May 9 a village resident contacted what he thought was Hewlett-Packard customer support for help with some printer problems, but had instead reached a scammer. The scammer convinced the victim to withdraw $20,000 from his bank, and an unknown male came to Croton to pick up the money. The victim, then realizing he had been scammed, contacted police, and a second pickup was arranged. Croton police, assisted by Carmel, Ossining, and Westchester County police, eventually apprehended Chen after he attempted to flee through the woods near Glengarry Road and Hessian Hills Road.

Chen was charged with attempted grand larceny in the third degree, a class D felony, and released. His next court appearance in Croton Village Court is on May 21.

Shea Kirschbaum, 38, of Croton-on-Hudson

Today, May 14, Croton police announced that they had arrested Shea Kirschbaum after an incident in which, on May 11 at approximately 6:48 PM, an explosive device was allegedly thrown at a residence on Van Wyck Street. Police reported that the explosion “damaged multiple items on private property” and that the device had been thrown after a neighbor dispute. The Westchester County Police arrived to identify the device and determined that it was “a 3-inch commercial display mortar” illegal to possess in New York State.

Kirschbaum was arrested and charged with Criminal Mischief in the First Degree. He was arraigned in Croton Village Court and released on his own recognizance; his next court date in Croton is May 28.

The Chronicle reached Kirschbaum, who is proprietor of AJE Repair in Croton—a plumbing, heating, and cooling service—by telephone today and asked for comment. Kirschbaum, who is currently represented by an attorney from the Westchester County Legal Aid Society, declined to discuss the case until he had a chance to confer with his attorney.

Oliver Fernandez, 30, of the Bronx

The Chronicle has been following multiple court cases involving Fernandez, who was arrested by Croton police on January 31 on charges of illegally possessing a handgun after he drove out of Maple Commons and briefly gave chase. The gun charges have been proceeding in Westchester County Court in White Plains, where Fernandez’s next appearance is July 30; he has other cases pending in Ossining (assault and endangering the welfare of a child) and Croton (criminal contempt.) After being incarcerated in the Westchester County Jail in Valhalla for several months, he has now made bail. The Chronicle is making further inquiries into the conditions of his bail and will update this report when that information becomes available.

Fernandez appeared in Croton Village Court today, May 14, where his case was adjourned until May 28.

The Chronicle routinely attends Croton and other courts to follow current cases, and we will provide updates as they become available.

**********************************************************************************************************

To share this post, or to share The Croton Chronicle, please click on these links.

Comments policy: Please be polite and respectful at all times.