Ex Greene Police Chief allegedly stole and sold firearms: Charged with grand larceny, official misconduct
Editor’s Note: Staff Writers Shawn Magrath, Sami Gillette and Matthew White contributed to this report.
SIDNEY – Former Greene Police Chief Steven J. Dutcher, 43, was arrested by New York State Police last Thursday for allegedly stealing police department rifles, a dog cage, falsifying business records, and various other charges. He was issued appearance tickets and has a court date later this month.
Members of the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation arrested Dutcher for:
• Three counts of grand larceny in the fourth degree, a class E felony, for allegedly stealing two Greene Police Department FAL 7.62 rifles and one department dog cage.
• One count of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree, a class E felony, for allegedly filing a false receipt with the Village of Greene pertaining to the purchase of four vehicle tires.
• One count of first degree falsifying business records, a class E felony, for allegedly filing a false receipt with the Village of Greene in an attempt to conceal the theft of the tires.
• Petit larceny, a class A misdemeanor, for allegedly purchasing four tires with village funds.
• Two counts of official misconduct, a class A misdemeanor, for using village funds to purchase items including tires and a vacuum cleaner for personal use while acting as the chief of police.
Dutcher was arrested previously on April 24, 2014, for petit larceny and harassment in the second degree.
Thursday’s arrest follows a two month investigation conducted by the New York State Police, per the direction of Broome County District Attorney Gerald Mollen. The case was directed to the Broome County DA after Chenango County District Attorney Joseph McBride recused himself due to a conflict of interest.
"Allegedly, he (Dutcher) did sell both weapons and then kept the money that he received as a result of the sales," said Assistant District Attorney Joshua Shapiro of the Broome County District Attorney's Office, who is assigned to the case.
Shapiro said that the purchase of the vacuum cleaner was one of the initial irregularities brought to the attention of the New York State Police and the Broome County District Attorney's Office that led to the investigation.
"It's an unfortunate circumstance for both the village and our police department," said Village of Greene Mayor Phill Brown. "But we're continuing to work with the Broome County District Attorney and investigators in any capacity we need to help them along in their case."
Dutcher was processed at the State Police Barracks in Norwich and was issued appearance tickets for all the above charges. He is to appear in the Village of Greene Court on July 22.
The New York State Police Public Information Officer was contacted Thursday, but did not have any comments as of press time Monday.
SIDNEY – Former Greene Police Chief Steven J. Dutcher, 43, was arrested by New York State Police last Thursday for allegedly stealing police department rifles, a dog cage, falsifying business records, and various other charges. He was issued appearance tickets and has a court date later this month.
Members of the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation arrested Dutcher for:
• Three counts of grand larceny in the fourth degree, a class E felony, for allegedly stealing two Greene Police Department FAL 7.62 rifles and one department dog cage.
• One count of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree, a class E felony, for allegedly filing a false receipt with the Village of Greene pertaining to the purchase of four vehicle tires.
• One count of first degree falsifying business records, a class E felony, for allegedly filing a false receipt with the Village of Greene in an attempt to conceal the theft of the tires.
• Petit larceny, a class A misdemeanor, for allegedly purchasing four tires with village funds.
• Two counts of official misconduct, a class A misdemeanor, for using village funds to purchase items including tires and a vacuum cleaner for personal use while acting as the chief of police.
Dutcher was arrested previously on April 24, 2014, for petit larceny and harassment in the second degree.
Thursday’s arrest follows a two month investigation conducted by the New York State Police, per the direction of Broome County District Attorney Gerald Mollen. The case was directed to the Broome County DA after Chenango County District Attorney Joseph McBride recused himself due to a conflict of interest.
"Allegedly, he (Dutcher) did sell both weapons and then kept the money that he received as a result of the sales," said Assistant District Attorney Joshua Shapiro of the Broome County District Attorney's Office, who is assigned to the case.
Shapiro said that the purchase of the vacuum cleaner was one of the initial irregularities brought to the attention of the New York State Police and the Broome County District Attorney's Office that led to the investigation.
"It's an unfortunate circumstance for both the village and our police department," said Village of Greene Mayor Phill Brown. "But we're continuing to work with the Broome County District Attorney and investigators in any capacity we need to help them along in their case."
Dutcher was processed at the State Police Barracks in Norwich and was issued appearance tickets for all the above charges. He is to appear in the Village of Greene Court on July 22.
The New York State Police Public Information Officer was contacted Thursday, but did not have any comments as of press time Monday.
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