Trolley wire theft results in arrests

[n2xjk]

This is 3000' of 4/O grooved trolley wire that these guys cut up and carried away. I don't know what our prospects are for restitution, but needless to say this is a setback to our electrification plans.

http://www.tmny.org/Arrests.pdf

[3rdrail]

It sounds like you are part of the museum, so I would suggest not sitting on this regarding restitution. Copper is very expensive now and this wire probably is not reuseable, especially as the report indicates that it was cut up. Forthwith, get to whoever the assistant district attorney is who is prosecuting the case and let him know that you are not a large business with firm financial backing and that you need restitution. Let these bums work hard for a few years to pay you back by making restitution as part of their probation. If the payments start to slack off, get right into court and violate them (try to get the money removed directly out of their checks - if they have jobs - so that the money goes right to the court and then the museum.) Any extra money can be spent on facial make-overs. Man, your crooks are even uglier than ours !

[n2xjk]

We're already in touch with the DA's office regarding prosecution and restitution. They remain in jail with no bail, awaiting their first hearing next week.

Really, the chance of collecting much real money from these bozos is low. I expect we'll run a fundraising campaign to leverage support for this setback. In the mean time, we still have a big DONATE button on TMNY.org that you can utilize to show your support!

[3rdrail]

Just another thought: Was the wire recovered ? If it was and is unuseable, a metals dealer should give you a decent rate on it. If the metal was purchased already, you might think of going after the dealer civilly as they should have cast a suspicious eye on overhead, knowing that electrified rail lines were in the area, and just because of the way that these guys look. Any lawyers in your group ?

[n2xjk]

There was a third arrest in the case in the past week. According to the detective, this completes their investigation of the theft.

[n2xjk]

The first two arrested for the wire theft, Clinton Padusnak and Julian Wynkoop, were handed felony grand larceny indictments by the Ulster County Grand Jury yesterday.

[n2xjk]

Julian Wynkoop was sentenced to 5 years probation and must pay a portion of the restitution. Clinton Padusnak has yet to be sentenced.

[n2xjk]

Clinton Padusnak got 2 to 4 years prison time.

[3rdrail]

Did Wynkoop roll on Padusnak ?

[n2xjk]

Yes, plus Padusnak had priors. The reason Padusnak's sentencing was delayed is he was supposed to pay $2000 of the restitution before going to jail, but that didn't happen. Prisoners normally get an 'allowance' while in jail, but Mr. Padusnak has lost that privilege as a result.

[3rdrail]

"There is no honor among thieves".