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Yonkers Man Charged In Thefts From Parked Cars

PUTNAM VALLEY, N.Y. -- Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith reports the arrest of three men having ties to Putnam Valley on several criminal charges stemming from their alleged involvement in stealing items from unlocked parked cars.

The Putnam County Sheriff announced the arrest of three men involved in stealing items from unlocked cars.

The Putnam County Sheriff announced the arrest of three men involved in stealing items from unlocked cars.

Photo Credit: File

In the early morning hours of Nov. 25, the sheriff’s office received a report of suspicious activity at Cindy Lane in Putnam Valley. As a result of that report, a number of items believed to have been stolen were recovered. Investigation revealed that those responsible for thefts were targeting unlocked parked cars and stealing GPS units, laptop computers, cellular telephones, credit cards, cash and jewelry, the sheriff's office said.

In one instance, the thieves stole pajamas that were purchased to be donated to 1 Million Good Nights Pajama Drive, a charitable organization that provides pajamas to children in need, the sheriff's office reported.

The case was referred to Investigator Thomas Corless of the Sheriff’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation. He soon learned that there were similar crimes reported to the Town of Yorktown Police Department, the Town of East Fishkill Police Department and the New York State Police at Somers.

The law enforcement agencies, working together, continued the probe which led to the arrests of three area men. The suspects are identified as 20-year-old Rick Ortiz and 18-years-old Nicholas Dellabate of Putnam Valley and 20-year-old John V. Nikaj of Yonkers, New York. Although Nikaj told police that he was currently residing in Yonkers, it is believed that he has once lived in Putnam Valley.

The three were arrested on the Putnam County related charges by Investigator Thomas Corless on Dec. 12.

Ortiz was charged with four counts of Petit Larceny and counts of criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree, misdemeanor crimes. He was additionally charged with a single count of criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, a felony.

Nikaj faces four counts of petit larceny while Mr. Dellabate is charged with four counts of criminal possession of stolen property – a Class E felony.

Ortiz and Nikaj were arraigned before Kent Town Justice Peter Collins acting on behalf of the Putnam Valley Justice Court. They were originally remanded to the Putnam County Correctional Facility but were subsequently released after posting the required bail.

Dellabate is currently being held at the Westchester County Jail in lieu of $15,000 bail. All are scheduled to appear in Putnam Valley Court at a later date.

Investigators have recovered several items believed to have been stolen by the suspects. However, those believing that they are victims of similar crimes are urged to report the incident to their appropriate law enforcement agency.

Investigator Corless may be reached at the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Criminal Investigation by calling (845) 225-8060.

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