Apparent theft ring uncovered after arrest of Fishkill car dealership employee
"Since they thought they were sophisticated, they weren't counting on the diligence and technical experience that Fishkill detectives had," Fishkill Police Chief Christopher Strattner said Friday.
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A man, his son and his son's friend are facing serious charges after being accused of breaking into the man's workplace — a Fishkill car dealership — and making off with tens of thousands of dollars in tools and cash. As the investigation went on, police found this was probably one of many thefts, which led to a multi-agency investigation.
Officials say the crime happened in mid-March. The three men are accused of prying open the back door of Healey's Chrysler Dodge Jeep on Route 52, spray-painting interior surveillance cameras, and stealing a safe and tools in the middle of the night.
Healey's manager said that it immediately seemed like an inside job since the men seemed to already know exactly where the safe was located.
Roberto Rivera, a 15-year employee in the service department, admitted his involvement, police said, and that a plasma torch was used to open the safe once it was back at Rivera's home in Plattekill.
"Since they thought they were sophisticated, they weren't counting on the diligence and technical experience that Fishkill detectives had," Fishkill Police Chief Christopher Strattner said Friday.
Rivera, his son, Antonio Rivera, and Antonio's friend Dylan Lazaro are all charged with burglary.
Antonio Rivera and Lazaro are also charged with grand larceny.
Strattner said that when his officers searched Rivera's home, they found several items that were likely previously stolen from Healey's and other businesses.
"We definitely didn't realize how far-reaching this group was," Strattner said, "multiple burglaries over a long period of time."
Fishkill detectives investigated for three weeks before they made the arrests last week.
During the investigation, but before his arrest, Roberto Rivera came to the dealership every day, working like he usually would, while police were carefully making their case.
The dealership manager said Roberto Rivera seemed to be a good employee and that he is "extremely disappointed this happened."
All three men were released after being processed and are due back in Fishkill Town Court next month.
