A Fishkill man was sentenced Tuesday, Feb. 4, for a burglary of a residence in Cold Spring in June 2013. Putnam County Justice James F. Reitz sentenced Jason Smith, 37, to three-and-a-half to seven years in state prison, according to the Putnam County District Attorney’s Office.
“I am proud of the dedicated and hard working members of our local law enforcement community who work together in an effort to bring justice and peace to innocent crime victims in Putnam,” Putnam County District Attorney Adam Levy said.
According to the DA’s office, on June 21, 2013, a Cold Spring resident reported to village police that he returned home to find his flat screen television missing. Cold Spring police recovered video surveillance from a neighbor’s home, which showed Smith walking up to the victim’s home and knocking on the door. Smith was a prior acquaintance of the victim, and the video showed that when it was clear no one was home, Smith entered the home through a rear door and exited with the television.
Putnam County Sheriff’s Investigator Thomas Corless, in conjunction with Chief Investigator Henry Lopez of the District Attorney’s Office, quickly identified Smith as the suspect. Further investigation showed Smith attempted to pawn the TV, but dumped it in Memorial Park in Beacon when he was unsuccessful.
Sheriff’s Deputy Brian Aisenstat, who spotted his car on Route 9 in Philipstown, arrested Smith July 3. Smith was also charged with driving on a suspended license and other offenses.
Chief Assistant District Attorney Chana Krauss prosecuted the case.
