3 Charged in Connection with Multiple Thefts in Saratoga County
Saratoga County, NY – Three men have been arrested following a series of theft investigations across Saratoga County, prompting concerns about local safety and security.
On September 7, 2024, the New York State Police apprehended Olijajwuan W. Sheppard, 25, and Johnson Gooden-Prunty, 29, both from Schenectady, along with a third suspect, Syiheed K. Jean Louis, 26, of Waterbury, CT. They face several charges related to burglaries and possession of stolen property.
According to reports, the police responded to multiple complaints of suspicious individuals in the Clifton Park area. Initially, officers searched for two men matching a description from a local resident, but they were not immediately found.
Later that day, police were alerted to another suspicious activity where Gooden-Prunty was observed entering an unoccupied building. Upon their arrival, officers detained him and discovered he was in possession of stolen property. Following a lengthy pursuit, Sheppard was also apprehended nearby.
Investigations revealed that the suspects had allegedly entered several unsecured vehicles in the area, stealing items of monetary value.
Additionally, Sheppard was linked to a burglary that occurred overnight on August 6, 2024, where he unlawfully entered a garage attached to an occupied home in Ballston Spa and stole from vehicles inside.
Both Sheppard and Gooden-Prunty have been charged with various offenses, including burglary in the second and third degrees, criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree, and conspiracy.
Following their arrest, they were processed at the State Police barracks in Clifton Park and subsequently arraigned in the Clifton Park Town Court. Both men are currently held at the Saratoga County Correctional Facility on bail amounts set at $5,000 cash or $10,000 bond.
Jean Louis, the third suspect, is expected to face similar charges, though further details on his arrest were not immediately available. Local authorities are urging residents to secure their vehicles and report any suspicious activity promptly to prevent further incidents.
As the investigations continue, police are reminding the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious behavior to law enforcement. The recent wave of thefts has raised questions about community safety, prompting a call for increased awareness and preventive measures among residents.