Stolen firearm recovered near Route 17, two men arraigned and remanded
New York State Police say troopers responding to a report of a stolen vehicle near Route 17 on November 4 located four people and recovered a loaded Beretta 9 millimeter later determined to be stolen, along with metal knuckles and a knife. Two men were arrested, arraigned in Middletown, and remanded to Orange County Jail, a development that raises local questions about weapon circulation, public safety, and criminal justice procedures.
Troopers from New York State Police Troop F responded on November 4 after a report of a stolen vehicle and suspicious persons near Route 17. Officers located four individuals and, during interviews and searches, recovered a loaded Beretta 9 millimeter that was later determined to have been stolen from one person and metal knuckles and a knife from another. Two people were taken into custody and charged, according to a Troop F press release dated November 6, 2025.
The men identified in the press release are 21 year old Shane L. Williams and 22 year old Jeremiah Leckey. Williams faces charges that include Criminal Possession of Stolen Property Fourth Degree in relation to the firearm, Criminal Possession of a Firearm Class E, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon Second Degree for possession of a loaded firearm Class C. Leckey was charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon Third Degree Previous Conviction Class D. Both defendants were arraigned in City of Middletown Court and remanded to Orange County Jail in lieu of cash or bond.
The recovery of a loaded stolen handgun and other weapons in the vicinity of Route 17 is a concrete enforcement outcome for local law enforcement. For residents, that outcome carries immediate public safety implications because stolen firearms can be connected to broader patterns of violent crime and illegal trafficking. The presence of metal knuckles and a knife alongside a firearm underscores the range of weapons that police encounter in roadside stops and calls for service.
The decision to remand both defendants in lieu of cash or bond places the case within ongoing local and statewide conversations about pretrial detention, public safety, and fairness in the criminal justice system. Arraignments in City of Middletown Court will set the schedule for further proceedings. The charge against Leckey that notes a previous conviction signals that prosecutors will likely seek to press on factors related to past criminal history, while the stolen property firearm charge against Williams elevates the potential penalties and prosecutorial interest.
For Orange County voters and civic leaders, the incident highlights institutional responsibilities at several levels. State troopers conducting patrols on Route 17 played a primary investigative role. Local prosecutors and the courts will determine charging and pretrial outcomes. Elected officials and community safety committees may face renewed calls to address illegal weapons flows, invest in prevention and intervention programs, and ensure transparency in court handling.
Residents can expect court dates to be posted publicly and can follow case developments through City of Middletown Court records and New York State Police communications. The arrests will continue through the legal process, and outcomes will provide clearer information about criminal accountability and public safety effects in the months ahead.
