Philmont, NY- Columbia County Sheriff David P. Bartlett reports that 33 year old Keith Gaylord has been arrested and charged with Robbery in the Third Degree in connection with an incident that occurred at the Family Dollar located at 84 Main Street in the Village of Philmont.
On February 27, 2020 at approximately 3:55pm, the Philmont Police Department and Deputy Sheriffs were dispatched by Columbia County 911 to the Family Dollar in the Village of Philmont for a reported robbery that just took place. The information received by an employee at the store was that a white male, in his 30’s, having a small build, wearing dark colored clothing, pushed him and then stole money from the cash register. The male suspect, who was known to employee as Keith Gaylord, ran from the store in an easterly direction.
Deputies and a Sheriff’s Office K9 unit conducted an immediate search of the area. Sergeant Heath Benansky located the suspect a short time later, who was crouched down under a stair case in close proximity of the store. Mr. Gaylord was taken into custody and found in possession of a quantity of crack cocaine. Sergeant Benansky and his K9 partner Apollo then conducted a search for the proceeds taken in the robbery.
Keith Gaylord, of Philmont, New York, was arrested and charged with Robbery in the Third Degree (Class D Felony), Petit Larceny, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree (Both Class A Misdemeanors).
He was arraigned in Philmont Village Court and was released on his own recognizance due to the new bail reform laws. Mr. Gaylord is scheduled to appear back in court on March 26, 2020 at 6:00pm.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Philmont Police Department and Columbia County District Attorney Paul Czajka.
Investigating for the Sheriff’s Office are Captain John DeRocha, Senior Investigator William Foster, Sergeant Heath Benansky, Sergeant Jeffrey Hofstetter, Deputy Ryen Boehme, and Deputy David Stevens.