Newburgh Man Arrested on Gun Charges

A day after two young Newburgh women were fatally shot, another resident was arrested on unrelated gun possession charges. Shortly after his arrest, more shots were heard.

On Halloween around 8:30 p.m., City of Newburgh police responded to the area of William Street and Hasbrouck Street after receiving calls about shots fired in the area.

Police arrived at 65 William Street after receiving a second call about a suspicious person trespassing in the rear yard. During a search of the yard, 29-year-old Roy A. Francis of Newburgh is accused of attempting to hop over a fence to flee from police.

Francis was caught and detained at the scene. A police K9 soon recovered a black Beretta 9mm rifle. Francis was charged with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment, felonies.

An hour after the arrest, more shots were reported fired from the same area. City of Newburgh police are actively investigating those reports.

No injuries were reported. Anyone with information is asked to contact City of Newburgh Police at 845-561-3131.

Early Sunday morning, 18-year-old Omani Free and 20-year-old Tabitha Cruz were killed while attending a Halloween party in Newburgh.

A $2,500 reward is being offered for information leading to a Newburgh teen wanted in the double murder.

Two other Newburgh residents were arrested for allegedly helping the gunman after the incident.