Westchester, Putnam police seize more than 100 guns, arrest 11 in firearms investigation

More than 100 weapons were seized and 11 people were arrested this week following a six-month multi-agency investigation into so-called “ghost guns” and other illegal firearms in Westchester and Putnam counties.

Investigators dubbed the probe “Operation Casper,” which the Westchester County police announced the results of on Thursday.

Gun violence has plagued some communities in the Lower Hudson Valley for years, with gangs running certain neighborhoods and young people getting their hands on firearms. A 16-year-old New Rochelle boy was shot and killed Tuesday afternoon, allegedly by another 16-year-old, in the latest tragedy involving the region’s gun problems.

Search warrants were executed Tuesday at eight locations in Westchester and Putnam counties by Westchester County, local and federal law enforcement agencies. Rifles, handguns and high-capacity drum magazines were seized, too. The drum magazines were of a type similar to the one used in the fatal shootings of New York City police officers Jason Rivera and Wilbert Mora last week.

Some of the weapons lacked a serial number, making them so-called “ghost guns,” and other weapons had defaced serial numbers. Several silencers, ballistic vests, counterfeit police shields and quantities of ammunition also were seized in the probe.

“As we prepare to pay our final respects to Officer Jason Rivera tomorrow and Officer Wilbert Mora next week, we are reminded of the dangers of illegal guns, not just in New York City,” Westchester County Executive George Latimer said in a statement Thursday. “It is our moral responsibility to work together to reduce the availability of these weapons and keep our communities safe.”

The investigation began in June 2021 when police departments in Westchester, the 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 region. Detectives in the multi-agency task force were directed to find innovative ways to reduce gun crimes and prevent violence.

These detectives were assisted by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the New York City Police Department, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office.

“Working collaboratively with our law enforcement partners is a critical way we keep Westchester safe,” Westchester Public Safety Commissioner Thomas Gleason said in a statement.

Prosecutors from the 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.

Arrests were made by police in North Castle, New Rochelle, Harrison, Yorktown, Westchester and Putnam. The following people were arrested on felony charges:

Juan Sanchos, 28, of New Rochelle, was charged with six counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, five counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and 40 counts of unlawful possession of an ammo feed device.

Jacob Rockover, 22, of Carmel was charged with three counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and one count of criminal possession of a firearm.

David Goldberg, 24, of Carmel, was charged with one count of first-degree criminal possession of a weapon, two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and one count of criminal possession of a firearm.

Brandon Brois, 24, of North Castle, was charged with second- and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

John Pittelli, 35, of Harrison, was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Rogers Singleton, 40, of Yorktown, was charged with criminal possession of a firearm and fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Theodore Brois, 67, of North Castle, was charged with first-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

Helene Brois, 61, of North Castle, was charged with criminal possession of a firearm.

Christopher Canzone, 49, of Yorktown, was charged with first-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

Andrew Lopez, 36, of Carmel, was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

Adam DiMaggio, 43, of Carmel, was charged with unlawful possession or receipt of a firearm or ammunition by a prohibited person.