22 year old Matthew Vasquez was sentenced Thursday in Columbia County Court, for the theft of a utility vehicle last May at a special needs camp in Chatham. He was given 5 years probation and will have to pay restitution.
From Columbia County D.A.’s Office, from last August:
On August 30, 2018, Matthew Vasquez was convicted by plea in County Court of Attempted Burglary in the 3rd Degree, Honorable Jonathan D. Nichols presiding. The Court will sentence Matthew Vasquez on November 21, 2018. Columbia County Sheriff David P. Bartlett's Office investigated this matter and arrested Matthew Vasquez. The Public Defender represents Matthew Vasquez. (SCI No. 063-18)
Original press release from last May:
SHERIFF’S OFFICE ARRESTS STUYVESANT MAN FOR STEALING UTILITY VEHICLE
Chatham, N.Y.: Columbia County Sheriff David P. Bartlett reports that Sheriff’s Office Investigators have charged and arrested a Stuyvesant man for stealing a Four Wheel Drive John Deere Gator Utility Vehicle from Camp Stride in the Town of Chatham. Camp Stride is an organization that caters to individuals with special needs as well as disabled veterans during the summer months.
On May 11, 2018 representatives of Camp Stride contacted the Sheriff’s Office to report a storage garage as well as the main building located on camp property had been burglarized and a John Deere Gator stolen. Upon deputies arrival at the camp an investigation was initiated and a search of the property was conducted in an attempt to locate the John Deere Gator without success.
The Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigative branch was advised of the complaint and continued with the investigation. Investigators were able to develop leads through social media that aided in identifying a suspect as well as a location of the Gator.
On May 14, 2018 investigators located the stolen utility vehicle at a private residence in the Town of Stuyvesant New York. Subsequently, Matthew J. Vasquez was interviewed by investigators and made admissions as to his involvement in the burglary and theft of the Gator. Vasquez is 21 years old and resides in Stuyvesant New York. He was arrested at approximately 4:30pm and has been charged with Burglary in the Third Degree a Class D Felony and Grand Larceny in the Third Degree also a Class D Felony.
He was arraigned in Chatham Town Court before the Honorable James Borgin-Forster and was remanded to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $500 cash bail or $1,000 bail bond. The defendant is scheduled to appear back in Chatham Town Court at a later date.
Sheriff Bartlett states “Cooperation between the public and law enforcement was the key in solving this case. It takes everyone in the community to make it safe.”
The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office.
Investigating for the Sheriff’s Office were Senior Investigator Kevin Skype, Senior Investigator Mark Dunspaugh, Investigator Ian Boehme, Investigator Kris Bauhoff, and Deputy Jordan Brahm.