New Rochelle Father-Son duo Charged with Violent Menacing of Partner, Neighbor Using Loaded Gun and Machete

February 18, 2026

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced today that a father and son in New Rochelle were both charged in a 19-count indictment with various felonies related to their alleged, repeated menacing of the father’s partner and a neighbor, including with the use of a loaded gun and a machete.

Donald Thomas, 47, and Sincere Thomas, 25, were arraigned on the charges Tuesday morning before Judge Susan Capeci, presiding judge of the Integrated Domestic Violence Part. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The breakdown of the indictment is as follows:

Donald Thomas: Criminal Possession of Weapon in the Third Degree (D felony, 5 counts); Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (C felony, 3 counts); Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree (D felony, 1 count); Criminal Possession of a Firearm (E felony, 1 count); Menacing in the Second Degree (A misdemeanor, 2 counts); Endangering the Welfare of a Child (A misdemeanor, 1 count); Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree (A misdemeanor, 1 count); Assault in the Third Degree (A misdemeanor, 1 count); and Harassment in the Second Degree (violation, 1 count)

Sincere Thomas: Criminal Possession of Weapon in the Third Degree (D felony, 4 counts); Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (C felony, 2 counts); Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree (D felony, 1 count); Criminal Possession of a Firearm (E felony, 1 count); Menacing in the Second Degree (A misdemeanor, 1 count); Endangering the Welfare of a Child (A misdemeanor, 1 count); Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree (A misdemeanor, 1 count)

Prosecutors requested that Judge Capeci raise the amount of bail previously set for Donald Thomas and set a cash bail amount for Sincere Thomas, who is currently released on his own recognizance. Judge Capeci maintained the previous bail amount for Donald Thomas and maintained the ROR status for Sincere Thomas.

The defendants are due back in court March 17.

DA Cacace said: “The sheer volume of charges in this indictment reflects the severity and unrelenting nature of the defendants’ alleged conduct. What began as a simple dispute spiraled needlessly into a multipronged conflict, including alleged acts of menacing and harassment, putting innocent lives at risk and endangering the welfare of a young child.

“All too often, intimate partners are subjected to everyday violence and suffer through it in silence. I am proud of the partner in this case for speaking up. The entire New Rochelle community is safer today because of her courage.”

As outlined to the court during a bail application and in charging documents, on Jan. 13, following a dispute with a neighbor, Donald Thomas punched his partner in the face and is said to have pulled a pocket knife on the neighbor. Thereafter, Donald is accused of attempting to slash the neighbor with a machete.

After the neighbor retreated to his apartment, Donald is accused of enlisting his son, Sincere Thomas, from their apartment in the same building to assist with the alleged menacing. Donald is then accused of pulling a gun on his partner and attempting to have her draw the neighbor out of his own apartment, this confrontation allegedly occurring in front of an 8-year-old child.

The Thomases are then accused of going to the neighbor’s apartment door, where Sincere allegedly slashed the door with a machete and Donald allegedly shot at the door with a firearm, whereupon they both fled.

The next day, following Donald’s apprehension by the police, Sincere is accused of threatening Donald’s partner with a kitchen knife in front of the child.

The investigation into this incident was conducted by the New Rochelle Police Department.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Paige Pirtle and Domestic Violence Deputy Bureau Chief Janelle Armentano.

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The charges against the defendants are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.