State police report that a four-day crime spree that stretched from Saratoga Springs to Richmondville has come to an end, with the arrest of 36-year-old Saratoga Springs resident Nicholas P. Beer.
According to a release from the New York State Police, Beer was involved with several larcenies in Saratoga County, stole a box truck in Wilton, then returned to his home to collect his girlfriend and two young sons. When Beer's girlfriend refused to come with him, police say, Beer pointed a loaded .22 Marlin rifle at her and forced her to get in the truck.
With his family in tow, police say, Beer left Saratoga County on Monday morning, went south through Otsego County, and ended up in Schoharie County on Tuesday, May 15. State troopers responding to a suspicious vehicle complaint found the stolen truck parked near the Reinhardt Mini Mart in Richmondville. Beer was placed under arrest, and his girlfriend and sons were found unharmed in the back of the truck.
He is charged with second-degree kidnapping, third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, third-degree criminal mischief, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Police say additional charges are expected.
Beer was arraigned before Richmondville town justice Herbert Needleman and remanded to the Schoharie County Jail in lieu of $25,000 cash or $50,000 bond.
State police continue to investigate, along with the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office, Saratoga Springs Police Department, Schoharie County District Attorney James Sacket, and Saratoga County District Attorney James Murphy.
