String of break-ins hit area businesses

HARLEM VALLEY — The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office wouldn’t comment, but they are investigating a rash of break-ins that all occurred the same night, Wednesday, June 23, potentially by the same person or persons.

Dale Culver, owner of the Round Tuit Restaurant, said his business on Route 22 in Millerton was hit between 11 p.m. and 3:15 a.m. on the night of June 23. The double-paned windows on an entrance door were broken, then the door unlocked. Culver wasn’t specific, but said there was some vandalism and property stolen.

“It is what it is,� Culver said last week. “Anybody seems to be a target these days. Just look at the number of incidents last year.�

Culver said he has dealt with two break-ins before. In both instances the suspects were apprehended.

The Round Tuit proprietor had some particularly harsh words for the perpetrators, adding that it was “unfortunate that those who work all the time have to be victimized by those who don’t.�

Culver said there was a clear connection between illegal activity and the increased amount of drug activity in the area.

“It’s a fairly well-known fact that the higher amount of drug activity, the higher amount of crime rate,� he said.

That night the Milan Market was also the target of a break-in, but owner Elias Rabadi said it was an unsuccessful attempt.

Rabadi has an alarm system and surveillance cameras set up in his business. The glass on the front door was broken at approximately 1:45 a.m., he said, but reasoned that when the suspect or suspects heard the alarm go off, they fled the scene.

“They never came close enough to the camera [to be identified],� he said earlier this week. “We saw the window smashed into a million pieces on camera, but we didn’t see anybody. They never entered the building.�

Rabadi said that his business is an easy target being “out in the middle of nowhere,� but that the camera and alarm definitely help and have led to individuals being apprehended before. There have been several incidents at his business, but none while he was present.

“There are pizzas to make and a lot of prep to be done. I’m often here until 2 or 3 in the morning,� he said. “But when I’m here, nothing happens.�

Joan Taylor, who owns Deuel’s Hardware Store in Pine Plains with her husband, Bob, confirmed there was a break-in at the store last Wednesday, but said that it didn’t look like anything had been taken. The window in the front door had been smashed in a similar fashion to the incidents at the Round Tuit and Milan Market.

“It makes you more aware that it’s here in our backyard as well as everywhere else,� Taylor said earlier this week over the phone. “We’ll probably be upgrading to more security, but I don’t think we’ll be changing much. Hopefully whoever was looking for money realizes that we don’t keep money here overnight.�

Both Culver and Taylor said that a truck had reportedly been stolen from another business on the same night, but that company did not return a request for comment in time for this article.

The sheriffs’ office would not confirm any of the incidents on the record, saying it was an “ongoing investigation.� What also remains uncertain is whether law enforcement believes the incidents were committed by the same person or persons.

When asked if he had any idea who was behind the break-in, Culver made little effort to be subtle.

“The investigation is underway,� he said, pausing before adding, “both theirs and mine.�

Latest News

Water main cleaning in North Canaan

NORTH CANAAN – Aquarion Water Company today announced a water main cleaning project in the company’s North Canaan system. The project is scheduled to take place from Monday, April 1 through Tuesday, April 16, and is being undertaken to ensure customers in North Canaan continue to receive the highest quality water.

The cleaning for April 1 and April 4 (subject to change) will take place on the following streets:

Keep ReadingShow less
Tuning up two passions under one roof

The Webb Family in the workshop. From left: Phyllis, Dale, Ben and Josh Webb, and project manager Hannah Schiffer.

Natalia Zukerman

Magic Fluke Ukulele Shop and True Wheels Bicycle Shop are not only under the same roof in a beautiful solar powered building on Route 7 in Sheffield, but they are also both run by the Webb family, telling a tale of familial passion, innovation and a steadfast commitment to sustainability.

In the late ‘90s, Dale Webb was working in engineering and product design at a corporate job. “I took up instrument manufacturing as a fun challenge,” said Dale. After an exhibit at The National Association of Music Merchants in Anaheim, California, in 1999, The Magic Fluke company was born. “We were casting finger boards and gluing these things together in our basement in New Hartford and it just took off,” Dale explained. “It was really a wild ride, it kind of had a life of its own.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Robert Cray’s soulful blues coming to Infinity Hall

Robert Cray

Photo provided

Blues legend Robert Cray will be bringing his stinging, funky guitar and soulful singing to Infinity Hall Norfolk on Friday, March 29.

A five-time Grammy winner, Cray has been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame and earned The Americana Music Awards Lifetime Achievement for Performance. He has played with blues and rock icons including Albert Collins, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, Eric Clapton and many more.

Keep ReadingShow less