New Paltz PD arrests teen after pretending to be student

The New Paltz Police Department reported the April 16 arrest of Ben Kooperman, 18, of Newburgh.

NEW PALTZ, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The New Paltz Police Department reported the April 16 arrest of Ben Kooperman, 18, of Newburgh. Police say this arrest followed Kooperman being at New Paltz High School and pretending to be a student.

Charges

• Two counts of third-degree criminal trespass
• Second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument

A police officer was on foot patrol at the high school speaking to an administrator when a member of the cafeteria staff alleged that there was a person claiming to be a student who entered from the kitchen area and was asked to leave. This person was allegedly Kooperman.

Kooperman allegedly reentered the school by posing as a student and entering through the main entrance. The police officer and administrator stopped Kooperman and began questioning him when he allegedly fled out of the main entrance.

Police say there was a short foot pursuit before Kooperman was taken into custody. The high school was placed on lockout as the situation was being investigated.

Officers reported learning that Kooperman also entered the New Paltz Middle School earlier Monday morning before being confronted by staff and running out of the building. He was also allegedly on the SUNY New Paltz campus before entering the middle school and was allegedly recklessly driving.

Kooperman was arraigned and released. He was issued a stay-away order of protection for the entire New Paltz Central School District. It is unknown what the suspect's alleged motives are for going to these schools.