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Surveillance cameras lead to Rensselaer County burglary bust
Posted at: 09/13/2012 6:37 PM
| Updated at: 09/13/2012 8:09 PM
By: Beth Wurtmann
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TROY - Designer watches and jewelry: the kind of the high end jewelry that the Rensselaer County Sheriff and State Police said were the target of a band of burglars now facing charges.
The said the young men, who range in age from 17 to 18, were responsible for a spree of home burglaries since early August. Most were in Pittstown and include Bennington, where the suspects allegedly passed over inexpensive items in favor of pricey ones.
Investigators believe the burglars then sold the stolen goods at second hand and cash-for-gold shops where they wouldn't have to give identification.
Sheriff Jack Mahar said the break in the case came when the four broke into a Bennington home with surveillance cameras, and were caught in the act. A school resource officer then reportedly identified one of the teens, leading to the arrest.
Police said they recovered some of the jewelry and watches at a suspect's home, and are now canvassing businesses in search of more.
Arrested are 18-year-old James Large of Valley Falls, 18-year-old John Tommajian of Brunswick, 17-year-old Ethan Dearstyne of Valley Falls and 17-year-old Christian Olsen of Johnsonville.
Mahar said one of the homes burglarized is owned by a Rensselaer County Correctional officer, so after the arrests, the suspects were sent to Columbia County Correctional Facility.
If you have any information on the case, call State Police in Brunswick at 279-4427 or the Sheriff's Department at 266-1985.
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