The Ulster County Sheriff's Office reports that on Thursday afternoon, 34-year-old Jason C. Franklin and 22-year-old Julia Lacon, both of New Paltz, were arrested and charged with the burglary of an abandoned house on Union Center Road in Esopus.
Police say they expect additional arrests to be made in the case.
Sheriff's deputies report that they went to the house on a tip of a burglary in progress around 3:40pm and found Franklin at the house, in possession of cutting tools for removing copper wire. Franklin broke a window and attempted to flee the scene, but was taken into custody.
Lacon was found driving in the area. Police say she intended to pick Franklin up after the theft was carried out.
Franklin faces charges of third-degree burglary, possession of burglar's tools, attempted petit larceny, fourth-degree criminal mischief, and fifth-degree conspiracy. Lacon was charged with fourth-degree criminal facilitation and fifth-degree conspiracy.
Both were arraigned in the Town of Esopus Court and remanded to the Ulster County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash or $10,000 bond for each. The investigation is continuing.
