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Crime

Smartphone Security

Computer expert Addison Osterhout with "Computer Answers" in Albany showed us how easy it is to hack a smart phone.

“The simplest is using a free program that you can download,” Says Osterhout. “Get some tutorials on line and in about 10 minutes you can do it.”

Sure enough in ten minutes Addison was monitoring everything the photographer was doing: if he had been logging onto his bank's website, he would have gotten his passwords, account number, you name it.

It’s called a "Man in the Middle" intercept.

It can happen if you use an unsecured Wi-Fi connection like those found in airports, bus stations and internet cafes.

The thief’s software pretends to be the router you're trying to connect to, he decrypts your data, copies it, re-encrypts it and then sends it on to your bank.

While you were taking care of business, but so was the crook.

LoPorto hires new lawyer in Troy ballot case

One of the defendants in the Troy ballot fraud trial has a new lawyer. Michael LoPorto hired prominent defense attorney Cheryl Coleman.

LoPorto was represented by Michael Feit.

The nine week trial against LoPorto and fellow democrat Edward McDonough ended in a mistrial last month.

The democrats were accused of forging absentee ballots.

LoPorto will be re-tried in June, separately from McDonough.

Former DARE officer pleads guilty

A former Albany detective and DARE officer pleads guilty to sexually abusing a child.

As part of his guilty plea, Paul Pierce, 59, faces six years in state prison.

He must also register as a sex offender.

Pierce abused a child at home in Albany back in 2010.

He was also convicted last month of abusing the same child in Rensselaer County and still faces charges in Warren County.

One injured in Troy shooting

Police in Troy are on the lookout for a gunman after a person is shot in broad daylight.

It happened in the 3200 block of Sixth Avenue just before one this afternoon.

Police say multiple shots were fired.

One person was taken to St. Mary's hospital with a non-life threatening wound.

No word on a motive.

Two banks robbed within hours of each other

Two bank robberies happen within hours of one another and so far, the suspects are still on the run.

In Colonie, a man walked into the Citizens Bank in the Old Northway Mall around 2p and handed the teller a note, demanded cash and took off.Police believe he ran behind staples, toward Central Avenue.

They released a surveillance picture. If you recognize him, you're asked to call police.

Police are also searching for a bank robber in Troy. They say a man held up the First Niagara at the Hudson Valley Shopping Plaza around Noon.

Police say no weapon was displayed and no one was hurt.

Police in Troy and Colonie say the two robberies are likely not connected.

 

Family Bandits sentenced

Three siblings accused in a multi-state crime spree are heading to prison.

Lee Grace Dougherty and her two brothers were driving a car registered to an address in Troy when they robbed a bank in Colorado last year.

They shot at police before they were captured.

Dylan Dougherty will spend 32 years behind bars. His sister, Lee Grace got 24 years, and brother Ryan Dougherty 18.

Accountant arrested for embezzling $100,000

A Rensselaer County accountant didn't play by the rules and ended up stealing more than $100,000 from a client. That's according to East Greenbush police.

They say  Henry Diehm,64, used his client's check and credit card accounts to funnel money.

As his client's accountant, Diehm had direct control over those accounts.

Police are now suggesting all of Diehm's clients have their accounts reviewed.