Ex-Police Investigator Accused of Breaking Into Wife’s Hudson Valley Home

A retired local police investigator is accused of breaking into his estranged wife’s Hudson Valley home.

Robert C. Bennett, 50, of New Paltz is accused of using a screwdriver to break into his estranged wife’s Gardiner home around 2 a.m. on Dec. 4, the Times Union learned in a report detailing the incident.

The report stated that Bennett was drunk and allegedly chased his wife outside while trying to hug and kiss her. Her mother called 911. Bennett hasn’t lived at the home for six years.

State Police had to physically remove Bennett from the home. He was charged with criminal trespass, harassment, obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest, misdemeanors.

Bennett was arraigned in Gardiner Town Court and released on his own recognizance. And order of protection was issued for his wife.

Bennett retired in 2011 following a police internal investigation into missing Oxycodone pills at a prison that he supervised, reports the Times Union. The investigation led to the resignation of another trooper and the retirement of a senior investigator.