RICHMONDVILLE, N.Y. - A Saratoga Springs man was arrested after what police are calling a "four day crime spree" including burglary and kidnapping his girlfriend at gunpoint.
State police say 36-year-old Nicholas Beer, of Vincek Lane, was eventually arrested in the Schoharie County town of Richmondville on Tuesday.
Police say Beer began his crime spree by stealing bolt cutters from Home Depot and scaled the roof of Excelsior Auto Parts in Saratoga Springs to steal wire and copper piping. Officials say the night before that, he stole a box truck containing furniture from Route 9 Wilton Delivery.
Beer then allegedly drove the truck to a friend's home and removed the furniture. Then, police say, he returned home to wake his two sons, ages 13 and 9, and his girlfriend whom he ordered to get in the truck. When she refused Beer allegedly pointed a loaded .22 caliber rifle at her and forced her into the truck.
Police say Beer destroyed the satellite navigation system in the truck and drove from Saratoga County, through Otsego County and ended in Schoharie County. At least once, the couple stopped at a convenient store where the girlfriend stated she feared for her and her sons' safety.
A trooper noticed the truck parked near the Reinhardt Mini Mart in Richmondville, and discovered the truck was stolen. Beer was put under arrest at that time.
Beer's girlfriend and sons were released unharmed.
Beer is charged with Kidnapping 2nd-degree, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 3rd-degree, Criminal Mischief 3rd-degree, all felonies. Also, Criminal Possession of a Weapon and two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, misdemeanors. He was arraigned in the town of Richmondville and remanded to the Schoharie County Jail in lieu of $25,000 cash and $50,000 bond.
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