When Resorts World opened up a small casino at The Newburgh Mall, their arrival was met with mixed views from local residents. Some felt the casino would bring crime and other problems to the community while others welcomed having a place to gamble their money on electronic machines.
After the casino’s first month in business, The Newburgh News, LLC set out to investigate whether or not crime had become a problem.
The Newburgh News has obtained police reports for all incidents at Resorts World Hudson Valley, The Newburgh Mall, and the parking lots for a time frame spanning just over one month. The period includes the casino’s grand opening on December 28, 2022 through January 31, 2023.
All police reports were obtained from the Town of Newburgh via a Freedom of Information Law request. The Town Clerk’s Office responded to the request quickly and thoroughly.
Police reports show one burglary occurred in the mall during the 35-day period with no other serious crime indicated. Only a handful of nuisance related calls were reported.
BURGLARY:
- On January 2, 2023, at 3:37pm, the Town of Newburgh Police responded to Perfume & Gifts inside The Newburgh Mall for a burglary. Officers received camera footage and found the burglary took place at 4:19am that morning. The suspect wore a mask but did not wear any gloves as he rummaged through display cases, removed merchandise, and put the stolen items into several plastic bags. The crook finally left the crime scene at 4:48am. The burglary took him nearly 30 minutes.
Mall security determined the suspect was in the area of Resorts World Casino at 4:08am, which was 11 minutes before he burglarized Perfume & Gifts.
Police are continuing to investigate.
DISORDERLY PERSONS:
- On January 12, 2023, at 3:29pm, police responded to the entrance of the mall for a report of a man yelling and screaming. Police suspected the man was on some type of narcotics. An ambulance was called to transport the man to St. Luke’s Hospital.
- On January 13, 2023, at 8:20pm, police responded to a report of five teenagers refusing to leave The Newburgh Mall’s property. As police were responding, they received a call back reporting the teenagers finally left.
- On January 22, 2023, at 9:10pm, officers on routine patrol were flagged down in the rear parking lot for a report of disorderly youths in the area. Officers investigated and found that the disorderly youths were gone prior to police arrival.
SOLICITORS:
- On December 30, 2022, at 4:44pm, police were dispatched to the mall parking lot for a complaint about a suspicious vehicle. Police arrived and found a “house on wheels” with New York license plate “CANNIBUS”. According to the police report, a subject from Wallkill, NY and a subject from the Bronx were selling items from the vehicle. Police advised the solicitors of proper licensing procedures and directed them to leave.
- On January 5, 2023, at 11:32am, police responded to a call for a person soliciting at The Newburgh Mall. The suspect left the area before police arrived.
SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE:
- On January 11, 2023, at 11:45pm, police were dispatched for a suspicious vehicle in the mall parking lot. Police responded and found a 2021 Nissan. Officers identified and interviewed the driver with no further incident.
OTHER:
- On January 5, 2023, at 5:31pm, police were called to the mall because doors were open at vacant stores near the Resorts World Casino entrance. Police called mall security to secure the doors.
