LOCAL MAN CAUGHT AFTER BURGLARIZING VALATIE BUSINESS
Kinderhook, N.Y. - On October 14, 2019 at approximately 10:42pm, Columbia County Sheriff Investigators arrested a Hudson man moments after he burglarizing a local business in the Village of Valatie.
Sheriff David P. Bartlett reports that members of his investigative branch have been investigating multiple commercial burglaries that have occurred over the past two months in various parts of Columbia County. He states during the course of these investigations, special details were implemented in an attempt to catch the individual or individuals responsible for these crimes.
On October 14, 2019 at about 10:00pm, while conducting one of these special details, Sheriff’s Office investigators discovered a burglary that just occurred at local restaurant in the Village of Valatie. The investigators were quickly able to identify a potential suspect as well as a vehicle he was operating. A traffic stop of the suspect vehicle was initiated on St Rte 9H in the Town of Kinderhook. During the traffic stop evidence was uncovered indicating the suspect was responsible for the burglary that just occurred. The suspect is identified as 48 year old James H. Smith of Hudson New York. Smith was taken into custody and brought to the Sheriff’s Office where he was later interviewed and subsequently made admissions as to his involvement in the burglary to Chris’ Café at 1048 Kinderhook Street, Valatie New York.
Smith was arrested and charged with Burglary in the Third Degree (Class D Felony), Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree, and Petit Larceny (Both Class A Misdemeanors). Mr. Smith was arraigned before Judge David Dellehunt in Kinderhook Town Court and was remanded to the Columbia County Jail with no bail. He is to appear back in court at a later date.
Columbia County District Attorney Paul Czajka and his Office are assisting with the case and as the investigation continues, investigators are obtaining search warrants related to the burglary and traffic stop. Additional charges are possible in this case.
Investigating for the Sheriff’s Office were Senior Investigator’s Kevin Skype, Mark Dunspaugh and William Foster, Investigator’s Patrick Logue, Reagan Anderson, Kris Bauhoff and Deputy’s Joseph Bruno, and Jerald Rowell.
Anyone with information pertaining to these local business burglaries is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigative Branch at (518) 828-4316 and ask for Senior Investigator Kevin Skype or Investigator Kris Bauhoff