A 27-year-old Warnerville man was charged with felony burglary Thursday after he was apprehended fleeing the scene of his latest hit, Cobleskill Police said, leaving evidence in his wake.
And nearby car.
Following an incident at Cobleskill Outdoor Sports, Matthew D. Michaels was charged with: burglary third degree, a Class D felony; and possession of burglars’ tools, including a pry bar; criminal mischief fourth, and criminal possession of a controlled substance seventh, all misdemeanors, in the 2:17am arrest, according to Police Chief Rich Bialkowski.
Chief Bialkowski said Mr. Michaels is “definitely a suspect” in a number of other burglaries within the last month and additional charges were expected to be filed when he returned to Cobleskill Town Court last night, Tuesday.
Sergeant Justin Manchester was on patrol when he noticed an open door at Cobleskill Outdoor Sports on France Lane and called for backup, police said.
Arriving on the scene, Patrolman Cody Whittaker spotted Mr. Michaels fleeing out the side door of the gun shop, and with Patrolman Shane Jones, chased him on foot through deep snow and several backyards and streets before taking him into custody while Sergeant Manchester secured the scene.
Patrolman Chris Sniffen and K9 Wilson, whose training has included tracking discarded evidence, were called in next, Chief Bialkowski said, and working backwards from where Mr. Michaels was apprehended to the store, recovered evidence he’d discarded in his run.
No guns were taken in the burglary, Chief Bialkowski said.
Police also located Mr. Michaels’ vehicle nearby, Chief Bialkowski said, and after securing and executing search warrants written by Lieutenant Jeff Brown, recovered additional evidence tying Mr. Michaels to burglaries at other village businesses.
Mr. Michaels was arraigned and sent to jail in lieu of $25,000 cash bail or $70,000 bond.
The Cobleskill PD was assisted at the scene by Cobleskill State Police and SUNY Cobleskill Police.
The Schoharie County District Attorney’s Office also assisted in the investigation.
Chief Biaklowski said Mr. Michaels has had past involvement with law enforcement and is a suspect in burglaries and attempted burglaries at Cobleskill businesses—but no homes—in the past few weeks.