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VALHALLA, N.Y. – Westchester County Police arrested seven employees of New York Medical College in Valhalla this week on felony grand larceny charges after police said the men collectively stole metal items from the college and sold them as scrap for more than $37,000.
According to Westchester Police spokesperson Kieran O’Leary, the items stolen included steel cages, duct work, plumbing parts and copper wire. Police said the individuals stole the items and then sold them to an undisclosed metal recycling company for the cash.
The thefts date back to January 2008 through May of 2012, police said. According to O’Leary, the arrests came after the college recently notified county police that items were missing from the campus.
Police listed the individual who were arrested on Wednesday and Thursday: Hans Krauter, 71, of Valhalla, Luis Rodriguez, 28, of Sleepy Hollow, Markos Lyras, 36, of the Bronx, John Cobb, 56, of Lake Peekskill, Philip Carmosino, 46, of Stormville, John Coletti, 48, of Carmel and Phillip Flemister, 49, of Mohegan Lake.
O'Leary said the stolen metal parts were replaced parts from buildings on the campus that remained properties of the college. He added that the recycling center that accepted the parts were not at fault and fully cooperated in the investigation.
The seven individuals, whose tenure working for the medical college ranges from six months to 40 years, O'Leary said, are currently being held at the Westchester County Jail on $10,000 bail. Each individual was charged with third degree grand larceny and third degree criminal possession of stolen property, both felonies.
Police said they anticipate one more employee from the college to be arrested on similar charges.
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Comments (1)
I was reading your article regarding the arrests made yesterday, May 16, 2012,
at the New York Medical College. I am shocked that it is even legal to destroy
someone's reputation by reporting false allegations. If I am not mistaken, isn't
it, 'Innocent until proven guilty' ? If this is so, I am hoping that the same
way this got all over the internet and paper, making the front page, that the
same actions are to be taken when MY FATHER is proven INNOCENT. He is a hard
working man with morals and values, who's worked his butt off to ensure our well
being and get to where he is now. Work is all he knows, and I would put my hands
through the fire and bet anything and everything that he is not guilty of ANY
MISDOING. Again, I am hoping that when he is cleared, that the media pays just
as much attention. There are other innocent men in this mess who aren't the only
ones being affected, their families are as well. I pray that just as quick as
the finger was pointed, that the truth comes out.