By Matt Youngfrau
MOUNTAINDALE — September 25, 2001 – On Tuesday, September 18, around 10:15 p.m., 22-year-old Arthur Hayes of Ellenville died of a gunshot wound. Police believe that at least four men conspired to murder the man.
Hayes allegedly was in Mountaindale for what he believed was a drug deal. He had $5,000 on him for the purchase of marijuana, said Town of Fallsburg police, when he was killed.
On Thursday, Tyrese Hilliard, 19, and Robert Dawson, 25, both of Monticello, were charged with first-degree robbery, a felony. Both are being held in the Sullivan County Jail without bail.
On Friday, Sheldon Wells, 18, of Monticello was charged with second-degree murder, and Quintin Lawrence, 16, also of Monticello, was charged with first-degree robbery. Both were sent to Sullivan County Jail without bail.
All four will be charged as adults and are awaiting a court date.
The investigation was conducted by the Fallsburg Police Department, the New York State Police, the Sullivan County District Attorney's Office, and the Village of Monticello Police Department.
Only $2,000 of the $5,000 has been recovered, and the gun has yet to be found. The investigation is continuing, and the police are expecting more arrests in the future.