Man gets 4 to 12 years for stealing thousands of dollars of goods from Colonie Center

A Schenectady man was sentenced on Thursday to 4 to 12 years in prison for stealing thousands of dollars of merchandise from Colonie Center.

Pashton Rifiqie, 28, had pleaded guilty in Albany County Court in May to one count of criminal possession of stolen property.

Police said he stole over $3,000 worth of merchandise from the Perfume Corner kiosk on June 2, 2022. He was also accused of stealing over $3,000 worth of property from the Banter by Piercing Pagoda kiosk at the same mall on or about June 8. Police said he returned to the same kiosk on June 14, 2022, and stole over $3,000 worth of property again. Rifiqie also possessed over $50,000 worth of stolen property on February 16 of this year.

In addition to his prison sentence, Rifiqie must pay restitution and have no contact with his victims.