Arrest Made In Murder of NY Tow Truck Driver

Here's the Mid-Hudson News story:

Arrest made in murder of tow truck driver

CARMEL – The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest in the murder of John Marcinak, 49, of Garrison on New Year’s Eve day, last December 31.

Authorities charged Anthony Grigoroff, 18, of Lake Peekskill, with murder in the second degree and other charges.

Marcinak’s body was found lying alongside Route 9 near his towing business. He had been shot several times. Initially, authorities thought he had been struck and killed by a passing vehicle.

Sheriff Donald Smith said Marcinak was shot to death when he interrupted a burglary in his garage being committed by Grigoroff and one or more other people. The investigation into their identities is continuing.

Grigoroff had been serving time in the Putnam County Jail on an unrelated drunk driving charge. He was arrested on the murder charge and arraigned Tuesday. He was also charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree and two counts of attempted burglary in the second degree, said Putnam District Attorney Adam Levy. He faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted.

Days after the murder, a Tarrytown towing company owner pledged a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever killed Marcinak. That was on top of a $2,000 reward offered by the New York State Crime Stoppers.

At the time of the killing, Sheriff Donald Smith called it “one of the most heinous crimes” in Putnam County in recent memory.