Two men arrested after shots fired at a Westerlo home

Tuesday, September 7, 2021 - 19:42

WESTERLO — Two men who knew each other were arrested in Westerlo on Sept. 3 following a confrontation that involved gunfire and property damage, according to a press release from the Albany County Sheriff’s Office. 

Last Friday night, Brian Rueli, 42, of Connecticut, drove to the home of Erik Juhansoo, 40, of Westerlo, and smashed through a metal gate prohibiting access to the property before breaking a window on Juhansoo’s home, the release says.

After Rueli broke the window, the release says, Juhansoo fired six shots from a .22-caliber rifle at Rueli while Rueli was in his vehicle, all of which struck the vehicle but not Rueli.

The release states that Juhansoo was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment and second-degree criminal mischief — both felonies.

For his part, Rueli was charged with first-degree criminal mischief, a felony, and third-degree criminal trespass, a misdemeanor, the release says.

More Hilltowns News

  • Berne to pay $200,000 for county EMS, says super

    Berne Supervisor Dennis Palow told The Enterprise that the town will pay $200,000 to Albany County for its emergency medical service, using a roughly-$320,000 revenue check he says will come in January. 

  • Rensselaerville sees movement on bequest funds

    The $830,000 entrusted to the town of Rensselaerville two years ago has been tied up in red tape ever since, but an attorney for the town recently announced that the town has been granted a cy prés to move the funds to another trustee, which he said was the “major hurdle” in the ordeal.  

  • Knox fire claims couple

    First responders arrived at 1545 Thompsons Lake Road in Knox early Tuesday morning to find the home there completely engulfed in flames. Two bodies were recovered. 

The Altamont Enterprise is focused on hyper-local, high-quality journalism. We produce free election guides, curate readers' opinion pieces, and engage with important local issues. Subscriptions open full access to our work and make it possible.