HYDE PARK – A man acting strangely on the grounds of Haviland Middle School (HMS) on October 1 was taken into custody near the school following an investigation by Hyde Park cops who canvassed the neighborhood to find him; he was taken to a local hospital for a psychiatric evaluation and was released from the hospital today (October 13). After his release, Hyde Park police arrested Daniel Prospero, 54, of Hyde Park, and charged him with several crimes.
Prospero was spotted riding a bicycle on the grounds of Haviland Middle School on October 1 while students were present. When a monitor approached him, he rode away. The School Resource Officer (SRO) and additional Hyde Park police responded to the area and eventually located Prospero and discovered he was wearing a bulletproof vest, was armed with a knife, and was in possession of two rifle magazines, one of which was loaded. No firearm was discovered.
While Prospero was in the hospital, police continued their investigation, including issuing a Temporary Extreme Risk Protection Order and executing a search warrant at his residence. Police also conducted an extensive search of the wooded area surrounding Haviland Middle School, the neighboring Ralph R. Smith Elementary School, and Prospero’s residence.
Prospero has been charged with six felony counts of criminal possession of a weapon and the misdemeanors of criminal trespass and criminal possession of a weapon. Judge Plass arraigned him in Hyde Park Justice Court, and he was released to the supervision of Dutchess County Probation, including electronic monitoring.
Hyde Park Police Sergeant Mike Stallone stressed that there was no threat to public safety and that no firearm was displayed during the initial encounter or subsequent police searches.
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