Gun used in the incident, photo from NYSP
Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced that Michael Alarcon, 20 years old of Mahopac, was arraigned yesterday on weapons and other charges stemming from an incident that occurred on the Taconic Parkway in February. The defendant was arraigned on a 9-count indictment charging him with the following:
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree-Class C felony- 2 counts
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 3rd Degree-Class D felony- 2 counts
• Menacing in the 2nd Degree- Class A misdemeanor
• Endangering the Welfare of a Child- Class A misdemeanor- 3 counts
• Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the 3rd Degree- misdemeanor
Alarcon was arraigned by Judge Melissa Loehr. He remains free on bail and is due back in court on October 14.
On February 4, 2026, while driving on the Taconic Parkway in the Town of Mount Pleasant, the defendant allegedly pointed what appeared to be a pistol at a school bus driver who was transporting three young special needs children. The defendant was observed driving the vehicle later that day and police recovered a loaded Walther P22 .22-caliber handgun equipped with a green laser and weapon-mounted light from a duffel bag on the front passenger seat. The firearm’s serial number had been defaced and could not be read.
DA Cacace said: “The defendant’s alleged actions in this case were egregious. The fact that the victims in this incident were special needs children only amplifies the recklessness. Thankfully, he was quickly apprehended by police and no one was injured.”
This case was investigated by the New York State Police and is part of an effort from the Cacace administration and the NYSP to ensure safer roadways for Westchester residents. Recently, both agencies announced a joint initiative, named D.A.S.H., that is stepping up enforcement against reckless driving on Westchester’s highways.
For more on this initiative, please visit our website at: https://www.westchesterda.net/june-2026/da-cacace-and-nysp-announce-resumption-of-d-a-s-h-traffic-safety-initiative
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Kevin Jones and Alexandra Petrullo.