By Dan Murphy
An unfortunate incident occurred in the Shrub Oak Shopping center parking lot outside of Lakeland High School on March 5.
On March 5, 2025, at approximately 2:20 PM, officers were sent to the Shrub Oak Shopping Center parking lot on reports of a possible assault in progress. Officers arrived on scene and an investigation was commenced. The investigation alleges the following: The defendant pulled his vehicle in front of the victim (16 years old) as she was walking, exited his vehicle wearing a police type badge around his neck and verbally identified himself as law enforcement (later determined to be a false statement). The defendant shoved the victim against the building, pulled the victim’s phone out of her hands as she was recording him, and threw her onto the ground, causing injuries to the victim. Two uninvolved persons intervened and separated the defendant from the victim. The defendant was arrested at the scene and processed at the Yorktown Police Department. The victim was treated and released at a local hospital.
According to Yorktown Police, a 42-year-old Putnam Valley, NY, resident was arrested for Robbery, 2nd, a class “C” Felony; criminal impersonation of a police officer, 1st, a class “E” felony; reckless endangerment, 2nd, a class “A” misdemeanor; Acting in a manner injurious to a child, a class “A” misdemeanor; and assault, 3rd, a class “A” misdemeanor.
The defendant was arraigned by the Honorable Judge Cohen-Pierson, who issued a Temporary Order of Protection protecting the victim. Judge Cohen-Pierson set bail at $3500.00 cash, which the defendant later posted, and he was released. The defendant is due back to the Yorktown Justice Court on 03/20/25 at 6:00 PM.
Media reports identified the defendant as Charles Santiago. Santiago is facing a number of serious charges, including 2 felonies. One of those felonies, impersonating a police officer, is one that prosecutors and law enforcement take seriously.
Add to that the 99% of comments on social media calling for a stiff sentence for Santiago, with many vowing to attend the next court hearing in Yorktown court (March 20) to observe the proceedings.
One or two comments alluded to the fact that the child of Santiago was being bullied by the 16-year-old student, identified by the family as Hailey Cuozzi.
“On March 5th, our Daughter Hailey Cuozzi was viciously attacked by a 42-year-old man who was the father of a male student she goes to Lakeland High School with. It was retaliation for a verbal argument that she and the boy had in school. This adult man caused injuries to our daughter, causing her to be hospitalized. To make things even worse, this man identified himself as a police officer displaying fraudulent credentials. He has been charged with multiple violent felonies including Robbery, assault, impersonating a police officer and more! I am asking friends, family, parents, and students to be in attendance at the courthouse for this man’s court appearance in support of our daughter. Let’s send a message that this will not be tolerated in our town! Let’s send a message that NO plea deals should be considered! These are crimes against a CHILD!! I hope you will join me at the Yorktown town court on 3/20/25. Court Session starts at 6 pm!! Thank you for your support!!
And “Our daughter was attacked viciously by an adult male yesterday for calling this man’s son a “snitch and a pussy” in school.
This “man” grabbed our daughter by the neck and smashed her head into a brick wall and then proceeded to hit her head on the asphalt.
Trying to come down off of what happened to our daughter has been so extremely hard. We fear for her safety and our safety, due to potential retaliation from a very sick man that beat our child.
It is NOT OK on ANY LEVEL for an adult to assault a child. It’s not ok that our daughter and us as parents have to worry about our safety going forward,” posted the family.
First, let me say that as the father of a former Lakeland High School student, if anyone ever did this to my daughter, I would react in the same way as her parents.
What baffles me is why Santiago decided to put his hands on Hailey and to add to his troubles, impersonate a police office? We understand that his son was being bullied, but how do you take it from wanting to protect your son to facing jail time?
Editor’s Note: One video of the incident, from News 12, shows Santiago pulling up next to Hailey and pursuing her. But there appears to be no confrontation on the wall of the supermarket, as reported. The video also shows Hailey attempting to enter the empty car of Santiago. That is when Santiago pulled Hailey out of his car, thus the assault charge.
Watch the video here: https://www.newsbreak.com/news/3846100797169-putnam-valley-man-accused-of-impersonating-police-officer-assaulting-teenage-girl
