Man Tried to Force Ulster Woman to Move to Michigan Using Gun, Police Say

A Michigan man is accused of using a gun to force his way into his estranged Ulster County girlfriend's home, stealing drugs and trying to force the victim to move to Michigan with him.

New York State Police at Ellenville charged 23-year-old Joshua S. Hovater of Mount Pleasant, Michigan with burglary, criminal use of a firearm and criminal mischief, all felonies.

On Sunday, State Police received a burglary complaint in the High Falls area within the Town of Rochester. Police say Hovater found his estranged girlfriend and, while armed with a loaded .22 caliber revolver, forced her to let him into the residence where she had been staying.

While inside the home, Hovater is accused of stealing around five grams of marijuana from within the residence and trying to force his estranged girlfriend to go back to Michigan with him.

When Hovater went back into the home, to retrieve some additional items, the woman fled the scene and called for help.

Hovater was located and taken into custody in New Paltz. He was arraigned in Town of Lloyd Court and remanded to Ulster County Jail without bail.

The New Paltz Police Department assisted with the investigation.