Schenectady man facing felony charges after allegedly giving Troopers fake name

WILTON, N.Y. » A Schenectady man was arrested on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges in connection to allegedly providing a fake identity following a traffic stop on the Northway.

State Police in Wilton arrested Howard A. Cooper Jr., 49, for second-degree forgery (felony), first-degree falsifying business records (felony), first-degree filing a false instrument (felony), second-degree criminal impersonation (misdemeanor), and seventhdegree criminal possession of a controlled substance 7th degree (A misdemeanor).

Troopers also charged Richard J. Wells, 37, of Schenectady, for seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (misdemeanor).

State Police stopped Cooper for a traffic infraction as he traveled on I-87 in the town of Wilton. When the Trooper interviewed Cooper and his passenger, Wells, police said they observed signs indicative of drug use. A subsequent search revealed that Cooper and Wells were each in possession of numerous glassine packets containing heroin.

Both men were taken into custody and transported to SP Wilton for processing.

Wells was processed and turned over to Troopers from the Clifton Park barracks on an arrest warrant for Petit Larceny (misdemeanor). He was arraigned by in Clifton Park Town Court and released on his own recognizance. He is due back in court on June 17.

During the arrest process, police said Cooper provided a false name, signing paperwork and submitting fingerprint under the false identity. Troopers discovered the discrepancy and Cooper was charged accordingly. He was arraigned in Wilton Town Court and remanded to Saratoga County Jail.

He is due back May 18.