WESTCHESTER – More than 100 weapons were seized and 11 persons were arrested this week following a six-month multi-agency investigation into “ghost guns” and other illegal firearms in Westchester and Putnam counties.
Search warrants were executed Tuesday at eight locations with rifles, handguns, “ghost guns” and high-capacity drum magazines seized. Some of the weapons lacked a serial number – making them so-called ghost guns – and other weapons had defaced serial numbers.
Several silencers, bulletproof vests, counterfeit police shields and quantities of ammunition were also seized in the probe, dubbed Operation Casper by investigators.
The high-capacity drum magazines that were seized are of a similar type to the one used in the murders of two New York City police officers last week.
The investigation was launched in June 2021 when police departments in Westchester, along with the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office and the FBI created a task force to address an influx of ghost guns and other illegal firearms into the Westchester County region. Detectives in the multi-agency Real Time Crime Center were tasked with finding innovative ways to reduce gun crimes and prevent violence.
Those detectives were assisted by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, New York City Police Department, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and the Rockland County DA’s office. Prosecutors from Westchester County District Attorney’s Office and the Southern District of New York provided guidance and case support as specific targets and locations were identified.
The following is a list of the persons arrested and the agency lodging the charges, which are felonies:
North Castle PD
Theodore Brois, 67, of North Castle.
– Criminal Possession of a Weapon
Helene Brois, 61, of North Castle
– Criminal Possession of a Firearm
Brandon Brois, 24, of North Castle
– Criminal Possession of a Weapon, two conts
New Rochelle PD
Juan Sanchez, 28, of New Rochelle
– 7 Counts Criminal Possession of a Weapon
– 40 Counts Unlawful Possession Ammo Feed Device
– 4 Counts Criminal Possession Weapon
Harrison PD
John Pittelli, 35, of Harrison.
– Criminal Possession of a Weapon
– Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance
Westchester County PD
Christopher Canzone, 49, of Yorktown
– Criminal Possession of a Weapon
Yorktown PD
Rogers Singleton, 40, of Yorktown.
– Criminal Possession of a Firearm
– Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance
Putnam County Sheriff’s Department
Jacob Rockover, 22, of Carmel
– Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd Degree (assault rifle)
– Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd Degree – ammo clip
– Criminal Possession of a Weapon (three or more)
– Criminal Possession of a Firearm
David Goldberg, 24, of 90 Bullethole Road, Carmel
– Criminal Possession of a Weapon, three counts
– Criminal Possession of a Firearm
Andrew Lopez, 36, of Carmel
– Criminal Possession of a Weapon
FBI Safe Streets Task Force/ Putnam County Sheriff’s Office
Adam DiMaggio, 43, Carmel
– Unlawful Possession or Receipt of a Firearm or Ammunition by a Prohibited Person
