FELONY ARRESTS
SARANAC LAKE — A Saranac Lake woman was charged Monday with allegedly defrauding the welfare system.

Yenny Cepeda, 34, was arrested on a warrant by the Malone Village Court.

"It was alleged that the defendant did file a false a instrument with the intent to receive benefits from Franklin County Department of Social Services in which she was not entitled to," according to a news release from the Saranac Lake Police Department.

Cepeda was charged with fourth-degree welfare fraud, first-degree filing a false written instrument, misuse of food stamps and fourth-degree grand larceny, all felonies.

She was transported by New York State Police to the Malone Village Court, where she was arraigned.

MORIAH — A Moriah woman who allegedly fought with police after being arrested for driving while intoxicated was sent to the Essex County Jail.

Melanie M. Mazzotte, 32, of Moriah was arrested for felony second-degree assault and misdemeanor DWI Tuesday after she was stopped by State Police while driving in Moriah.

Police said she was combative and allegedly struck the trooper who was taking her into custody.

She was sent to the jail when she couldn't pay bail.

Further details were not available.

— By Contributing Writer Lucas Blaise and Staff Writer Lohr McKinstry