SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - The Sheriff's Office of Saratoga County has apprehended three suspects in a series of burglaries to businesses, homes and vehicles spanning four townships and the City of Saratoga Springs.
The spree began around October 1st, and continued on and off throughout the month.
The towns and areas affected were:
- Milton- Geyser Road and Rowland Street
- Malta- East High Street and Ruhle Road South subdivisions
- Greenfield - In the Brittany Chase neighborhood off of Wilton-Greenfield Road
- Wilton - On Route 9 (Maple Avenue), as well as the developments off of Northern Pines Road and Challedon Way/ Sheffield Road area.
After collecting evidence from the scenes, witnesses and the ongoing pattern, leads began to point to Cyrus B. Oechler, 20, of Ballston Spa, Michael S. Lester, 21, of Greenfield and Tyler E. Lester, 18, also of Greenfield.
The three were eventually interviewed, and when faced with mounting evidence while also being found in possession of some stolen items, they all eventually admitted to their roles in the spree of crimes. They also admitted to a business burglary in the City of Saratoga Springs. Also on the nights of the burglaries, there were also numerous larcenies from vehicles which coincided with the times the other incidents occurred, and the trio admitted to vehicle thefts in the number of 100.
Those cases are still being researched, and further charges will be forthcoming.
The total amount of thefts as of Friday is approximately $20,000in cash and approximately $10,000in stolen or damaged property.
Little of the property was recovered, and according to police, the majority of the money was squandered on hotel rooms, narcotics, designer clothing and gear, gas to commit additional crimes, restaurant meals and food, cigarettes, gifts for their girlfriends and electronic gadgets.
The property that was recovered is being sorted to locate the proper owners.
The sheriff's office is working with other area police agencies to see if any other reported thefts can be connected to this sweep.
Two business safes were also recovered from the bottom of a pond on Locus Grove Road with the assistance of the Greenfield Fire Department.
The three defendants all had criminal records, with Tyler Lester currently on probation, and Michael Lester currently on parole.
NEWS10 ABC
