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Peekskill Police Uncover Organized Property Theft Ring

PEEKSKILL, N.Y. -- Peekskill police investigating a string of property thefts from local vehicles throughout the city have uncovered a much larger and more organized ring, with the arrest of a second man, said Peekskill police.

John Maxwell of Peekskill was charged with identity theft and stolen property charges.

John Maxwell of Peekskill was charged with identity theft and stolen property charges.

Photo Credit: Peekskill Police

Detectives investigating the case served a search warrant at the home of John Maxwell, 23, on Buena Vista Ave., on Tuesday and arrested the Peekskill man on felony identity theft and stolen property charges after finding a credit card reported stolen from a vehicle in Peekskill in late November, police said.

Maxwell's arrest follows last week’s arrest of Tyler Daniel, 24, who was charged with multiple counts of criminal possession of stolen property after thousands of dollars in stolen property was found in his possession, police said.

Police were led to Maxwell after their initial investigation took them to multiple locations around Westchester County where Daniel used stolen credit cards to illegally purchase electronic equipment, police added.

During the investigation, police identified Maxwell as an additional suspect which led to the search warrant and subsequent recovery of additional stolen property, officials said.

Police now believe that Daniel, Maxwell, and at least one other individual have been entering vehicles for at least the last five months, and stealing thousands of dollars in cash, property, and credit cards which were then used to purchase thousands of more dollars in electronic equipment throughout Westchester County.

Chief Eric Johansen praised those involved in the investigation for their diligence which has at least temporarily put a stop to the larcenies plaguing the city for the last several months. 

“To get in your car first thing in the morning to find that valuable property has been stolen is incredibly frustrating, and then to find that you have once again been victimized by identity theft leaves a victim with a double shot feeling of being violated," Johansen said. "One can only hope that the criminal justice system takes these crimes seriously and recognizes the dozens of victims that have not only had their property stolen but have also had to go through the process of restoring their identity’s which often takes hours and even days of corresponding with banks, credit card companies, and fraud protection services."

Daniel, who was arrested Wednesday, Feb. 8, was released after posting $1,000 bail following his appearance in Peekskill City Court.  

Maxwell was released without bail following an appearance in Peekskill City Court on Wednesday.

Both could face additional charges as the investigation continues, police said.  

Anyone with information on additional suspects or potential crimes are asked to contact the Detective Division at 914-737-8000.

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