CHESTER- On Friday, Orange and Rockland County Sheriff’s Deputies were in the Village of Chester serving a temporary order of protection and executing a firearms surrender when deputies located a bag that contained what appeared to be an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).
Deputies were executing the search and seizure out of Rockland County Family Court on 37-year-old Aleksey Titov of Chester. During the service of the order, Titov failed to cooperate with law enforcement, became combative, and was taken into custody.
Upon discovering what appeared to be an IED, police backed out of the residence, secured the location, and began evacuating the surrounding apartments. The Rockland County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU) was activated and responded to the scene. The BDU recovered three intact incendiary devices along with materials consistent with fabricating a homemade IED. After a complete search, the building was deemed safe.
Also found during the search was a loaded firearm, four loaded magazines, approximately 17 grams of psychedelic mushrooms, and a ballistic vest.
Titov was charged with criminal possession of a weapon for the incendiary devices, as well as criminal possession of a firearm for the loaded gun, both felonies.
Titov was arraigned and released on his own recognizance to return to the Village of Chester court at a later date. Titov’s release was required under state law as the crimes with which he charged are not bail-eligible, however, following his arraignment, Titov was turned over to the Town of Haverstraw Police Department for an outstanding warrant. According to police, the investigation is continuing, and additional charges are pending.
“The success of this incident is due greatly to our partners in Rockland County,” said Sheriff Paul Arteta. “We appreciate the patience of the residents from the area and the support from all of our local partners, including Chester Town Supervisor Brandon Holdridge, who quickly offered resources for the affected residents. This really was a joint effort on all parts.”
