Supervisor Grace's Son Accused of Stealing Car, Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs
Henry Grace faces criminal charges for allegedly stealing a vehicle from the Kohl's Department Store parking lot and driving while his ability was impaired by drugs.
Yorktown Supervisor Michael Grace's son faces criminal charges for allegedly stealing a vehicle from the Kohl's Department Store parking lot located on Route 6 in Cortlandt and driving it while his ability was impaired by drugs.
The vehicle's owner reported it stolen to the New York State Police Tuesday evening. The Environmental Conservation Police spotted the car on State Route 301 in the town of Phillipstown and 19-year-old Henry Grace was stopped and arrested in connection to the incident.
He was charged by the Environmental Conservation Police with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and driving while ability impaired by drugs. New York State Police charged him with third-degree grand larceny, a felony.
"Unfortunately, he is one of my kids who has had a long-standing number of issues that we've been trying to address," Yorktown supervisor Michael Grace said on Wednesday as he confirmed his son's arrest.
The defendant was issued appearance tickets returnable to town of Phillipstown Court on March 14 at 7 p.m.
Grace was arraigned by the Village of Croton Court and remanded to Westchester County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.
Plamena Pesheva
6:07 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
We will delete comments that are mean-spirited. And we will continue to report on the disposition of this case.
Suzzie
7:40 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Parents would adopt face challenging issues. The question is how along was Henry adopted by Mr. Grace. As sometimes adoptive parents have difficulty accepting their responsibility in the matter.
Evan Bray
7:22 am on Thursday, February 9, 2012
19yo is an adult. I don't care who you father is, you are responsible for yourself at that age. It certainly is juicy and it mat be uncomfortable for the supervisor, but I wouldn't categorize it as a scandal.
Evan Bray
7:24 am on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Btw, Ray Kelly is the father. Greg is the son.
Ralph Boerner
12:28 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
It appears that not only the 19 year old son of the new Town Supervisor thinks he is above the law, but so does his wife. On Primary Day, you should have seen how Mrs. Grace was usurping her power and instructing the election inspectors as to what to do. Fortunately, a co-inspector of ours (with over 30 years experience) notified the Town Clerk, and put a stop to it. We were stationed at the Municipal Building, and, Alice Roker told us to follow our prescribed rules not Mrs. Grace's. The Election Inspectors are trained to follow the letter of Election law not the letter of Mrs. Grace's presumption of Election law.
Evan Bray
2:46 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Ralph,
I've never met Mrs. Grace, but Ms. Roker is lovely. The very few interactions I've had with her have been wonderful. She is very polite, knowledgeable, responsive and follows up without any prodding. Can't ask for anything more in a town employee.
Rarity,
I'm assuming you're a bronie? I've got 3 baby girls at home and I, myself, might actually be consider such. My wife is named Celeste. Sadly, she's not princess Celestia, ruler of Equestria.
Ralph Boerner
3:04 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
I think the world of Alice Roker, and I spent the majority of my 'lunch period' on Primary Day, speaking to her and the obnoxious way that Mrs. Grace was treating the election inspectors and telling them what to do as far as the poll roster sheets are concerned. Thankfully, Mrs. Roker agreed with me 1000%. Mrs. Grace was totally out of line when she was INSTRUCTING the election inspectors to draw a line across the unfinished portions of the poll roster sheets. The election inspectors do NOT take instructions from Mrs. Grace, we take our instructions from the Town Clerk and the BOE.
mary farrell murphy
6:08 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
It's an unfortunate incident and made more unfortunate by the fact that Michael Grace is now a political figure and people are taking pot shots. What does Mrs. Grace's behavior at the polls - which was probably nerves - have to do with this personal family tragedy? Everyone should keep in mind that REGARDLESS of the many ways in which we try to protect our children, teach them right from wrong, get involved in their lives and school and sports, sometimes they turn the wrong way before hopefully turning back. We should all keep in mind the many teens this town has lost in the last few years and wish the Grace family prayers and best wishes during this time. There are many reasons why the Alliance for Safe Kids, the DARE programs, the officers from the YPD that get involved with our kids, our school support staff and our Interfaith Council, just to name a few organizations all exist. We should all be here to support each other and our youth. "There but for the grace of God go I."
CHRIS
6:38 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Thank you for your comments, I feel exactly the same way. It's unfortunate that the local press has become a forum for blaming, shaming and hurting people who are already hurting. We need to start setting some good examples as adults - showing compassion and a readiness to help our friends and neighbors.
Evan Bray
8:55 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
I don't believe the press has blamed or shamed Mr. Grace or his family. It is an unfortunate incident; there may just be some inherent shame. Good families sometimes have children that have problems and we should try and separate this issue from his governance.
I don't think it's out of bounds for the Patch or any other news organization to report the facts of such an incident. It's a thing that happened relevant to Yorktown. If you can point out a specific quote from any local coverage of the arrest (not comments on the articles) that blames or shames the Graces, I'd be impressed.
There certainly may be some hurt, but that's par for the course in these situations; the press can't be held accountable people feeling uncomfortable for relatives behavior being accurately reported.
I couldn't agree more with your sentiment that the internet could use more decorum and gentility. That is certainly a drawback of some online forums. I think we should thank Plamena (patch editor) for keeping a civil tone. Judging from her first comment, I'm betting she deleted a couple uncouth comments.
CHRIS
10:02 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
I still take issue with the headline "Supervisor Grace's Son .....". Why is that necessary? Report the incident, use Henry's name, good enough, that's the news without the sensationalism.
Evan Bray
10:18 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
Fair enough. Can we agree that, setting aside the headline, it was a factual article? I pray for Henry and is all I'm going to say on the matter. I think I need to see a counselor about my compulsive internet commenting; pretty sure my wife is going to file divorce on those grounds:)
Rarity
10:39 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2012
After re-reading the article, its just another kid arrested.
Yorktown Tattler
7:17 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012
My heart goes out to Michael Grace on this issue, but I believe the press reported just the facts, nothing more.
Yorktown Tattler
7:21 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012
What I find difficult to fathom is how Mrs. Grace would be pulled into the discussion, which I find totally off point.
Yorktown Tattler
7:22 pm on Sunday, February 12, 2012
I have never met her and, while I am told that she is somewhat ungracious, let's not start name calling before her husband even gets his feet wet.
joshua tanner
5:50 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
"The Environmental Conservation Police spotted the car on State Route 301 in the town of Phillipstown and 19-year-old Henry Grace was stopped and arrested in connection to the incident. "
There shouldn't be "Environmental Conservation Police". Seems like every 6th person has a badge these days. You have local police, county police, state police, MTA police, transit authority police, port authority police, New York State Park Police, SUNY police (@Purchase etc) DEC police and who knows how many more. One difference I know is that they DEC police speed the worst and drive like lunatics,
Evan Bray
6:29 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
Agreed. People should be allowed to steal cars and operate them under the influence of drugs so long as the normal police don't catch them. What gall the DEC police had operating in their jurisdiction in a state park after APB blotter went out about this stolen car. Harrumph.
joshua tanner
8:38 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
Cool - lets deputize everyone over 25 without a criminal record and then we can all be on watch over each other 24/7
.
Don Bartolo
8:46 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
I'm not sure what the hostility towards the DEP police is about but they've always been very professional with any interactions I've had with them and their Department has been here for years. Although they're main function is the Environment, they are still police officers and I'm sure you'd be the first to complain if your vehicle was stolen and a DEC police officer stood by and did nothing. Someday you may need help and if you don't like police, I'm not sure who you will call. However if you call 911 they'll come and help you whether you like them or not.
Evan Bray
8:53 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
I was only tweaking Mr. Tanner a bit. I think they do a great public service protecting our state parks (that's where Mr. Grace was found, in Fahnestook).
As a parent, one less drugged out car robber driving around is one less thing I have to worry about.