Delaware County Sheriff Craig DuMond announced that on September 16th, Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a Hancock man on felony charges after responding to a report of a possible trespass in progress at a remote camp located off State Highway 268 in the Town of Tompkins earlier in the day.

Upon arrival at the remote camp late Wednesday afternoon, Deputies discovered evidence of forced entry to a then unoccupied residence and boat house, along with evidence of the on-going use of the camp and the theft of one or more firearms. As darkness fell and Deputies continued to collect evidence at the crime scene, a flashlight beam was observed moving through the dark forest and approaching the camp. Deputies immediately transitioned into tactical positions in the darkness and waited for the subject to approach them and the cabin where they subsequently took the unsuspecting subject into custody without incident.

During their investigation, Deputies determined that the subject, identified as 33 year-old Edwin R. McGraw, II, of Hancock, NY, had stolen a shotgun from the residence. Deputies, assisted by a property care-taker, later rowed a boat across the lake by the residence and recovered the stolen, loaded shotgun and paddleboat on the far shore of the remote lake.

McGraw was subsequently arrested and charged with burglary in the second degree, grand larceny in the fourth degree (firearm) a criminal mischief in the fourth degree. McGraw was arraigned, via teleconference, by on-call Justice Andrew Skrobanski and was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility in lieu of $5,000.00 cash bail pending his appearance in the Town of Tompkins Court on a later date.

Potential evidence relating to a separate, unrelated vandalism case in the Village of Hancock, currently being investigated by members of the New York State Police and Hancock Village Police Department, was discovered by Deputies during the course of this investigation. All information has been turned over to New York State Police.

Speaking on the arrest, Sheriff Craig DuMond remarked, “this case clearly illustrates the determination and dedication my Deputies and Investigators have in pursuing criminals who violate the personal property of others and create victims. I am extremely proud and grateful for their diligent and professional service to the Sheriff’s Office and people of Delaware County”.

 

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