By JAIME STUDD

Recorder News Staff

Four city youths were apprehended early Tuesday morning after Amsterdam police said they witnessed them trespassing in Riverlink Park via a video surveillance feed from the park to the police station. When police arrived on scene, they found approximately $6,000 worth of damage at the site.

According to a news release issued Tuesday afternoon, police were dispatched to the park at approximately 1:45 a.m., after an officer at the station observed the individuals on the surveillance cameras.

According to Det. Lt. Detective Kurt Conroy, responding officers witnessed one of the suspects, 17-year-old Christopher J. Cionek, tipping over the large flower pots located in the park. Cionek engaged police in a brief pursuit before he was apprehended, police said. The remaining three alleged vandals were detained and arrested without incident.

Further investigation revealed that several of the flower pots were either smashed or pushed into the river. A few of the light poles were also damaged. The flower pots are estimated to be worth approximately $1,000 each.

The overturned pots were left strewn about the site throughout the day Tuesday.

Mayor Ann Thane said she believes they were left there by the police for investigative purposes at first, and that the director of recreation was simply unable to spare an employee to clean up the mess later in the afternoon.

"I'm sure it will get done tomorrow," she said.

According to the press release, the investigation is still ongoing and additional charges are possible.

The following suspects were taken into custody:

* Christopher J. Cionek, 17, of 200 Virginia Lane, Apt. B-1, Amsterdam, was charged with second-degree criminal mischief, a class D felony, and third-degree criminal trespass, a class B misdemeanor. He was arraigned in Amsterdam City Court and remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in lieu of $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 bond.

* Elaine S. Dawson, 20, of 55 Jay St., Amsterdam, was charged with third-degree criminal trespass, a class B misdemeanor. She was released with a ticket to appear in Amsterdam City Court at a later date.

* Francisco Justiniano, 20, of 7 Hamilton St., Amsterdam, was charged with third-degree criminal trespass, a class B misdemeanor. He was released with a ticket to appear in Amsterdam City Court at a later date.

* Raymond E. Conniff, 18, of 25 Storrie St., Amsterdam, was charged with third-degree criminal mischief, a class B misdemeanor. He was released with a ticket to appear in Amsterdam City Court at a later date.