1. “Retail thefts in 12 months”
2. “48 retail thefts in 12 months”.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
COLONIE – Multiple local law enforcement agencies have joined forces to apprehend and arraign four suspects involved in a series of retail crimes and outstanding arrest warrants. Due to current State laws, individuals charged with non-violent retail crimes cannot be held by agencies, even when multiple incidents are involved. Additionally, judges are unable to consider bail in such cases, even if the accused fails to appear in court.
During a press conference held at Colonie Center, Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple expressed his frustration, stating, “To me, this is like Groundhog’s Day. This is the third press conference regarding retail theft. We need to get out there and change some of these laws. And I know everybody’s sick of hearing about bail reform and everything else, but this goes hand in glove with it.”
Kamel Pickens
Albany Police recently handed over Kamel Pickens, a 33-year-old resident of Albany, to Colonie police. Pickens had eight active arrest warrants related to retail theft, dating back from September 21 to January 14. Deputy Chief Dan Belles of the Colonie police stated that the charges against Pickens include five separate incidents at Dicks, with two incidents involving merchandise valued over $3,000, three incidents involving merchandise valued over $1,000, a theft over $1,000 at Walmart, and petit larcenies from Kohls and TJ Maxx. Pickens has been charged with two counts of grand larceny – third degree, four counts of grand larceny – fourth degree, and two counts of petit larceny.
Belles further added, “I am aware of multiple other agencies that were also investigating Kamel for similar incidents, but at this point, I do not know the status of their arrests or investigations, so I don’t want to name any agencies.”
Pickens was previously investigated and charged by the State Police in August. He was released from that case but failed to appear in court for subsequent hearings, resulting in a bench warrant issued by Moreau Town Court. Pickens was arraigned for this warrant when he was transported from Colonie on Sunday, Jan. 28.
On August 4, State Police arrested Pickens, along with Myunique D. Mcqueen, Jonneasia A. Welcome, and an 18-year-old, for grand larceny in the third degree, conspiracy in the fifth degree, and false personation. Pickens was also arrested for conspiracy in the fifth degree, as well as other vehicle and traffic law violations. The arrests were made after Troopers responded to a larceny report at the Ultra Beauty Store in Wilton. The suspects fled in a vehicle, which was later stopped by patrols on Sitterly Road in Halfmoon. The stolen items, valued at approximately $11,000, were recovered from the vehicle. All three passengers initially provided false identifying information.
All four suspects were arrested and taken to SP Wilton for processing. Pickens was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Wilton Town Court on August 22. Welcome and the 18-year-old were sent to the Saratoga County Correctional Facility, with bail set at $10,000 cash, a $20,000 bond, or a $100,000 partially secured bond. Mcqueen was released on her own recognizance and subsequently handed over to the Bethlehem Police Department for an unrelated active warrant.
In regards to the most recent charges in Colonie and other municipalities, Pickens was arraigned in Albany County Court. Belles stated, “He ended up in Albany County. I am not sure if it was based on our charges or on other agencies’ charges, but he has subsequently bonded out.”
Mark Nolan-Schou
Mark Nolan-Schou, a 37-year-old resident of Albany, was brought from the Schenectady County Jail to face additional charges in Colonie on Monday, Jan. 29. He has been charged in nine incidents within the last 12 months. Colonie police had four warrants for Nolan-Schou related to retail crimes occurring between August 16 and December 16.
According to Deputy Chief Belles, Nolan-Schou has been charged with grand larceny from Target, a felony, and petit larceny from Price Chopper, Target (separate incident), and Napa Auto Parts, all misdemeanors. Two of these incidents occurred after Nolan-Schou was arrested for a separate larceny at Napa Auto Parts in Ravena and a subsequent car chase through Bethlehem and the port of Albany on November 14. He was also charged with package thefts in Bethlehem during that time. Despite being charged with two felonies and three misdemeanors, Nolan-Schou was released with an appearance ticket, as none of the charges were eligible for bail.
Nolan-Schou was also arrested by the State Police during this period. Public Information Officer Trooper Stephanie O’Neil stated that on November 29, Nolan-Schou was arrested in Clifton Park on a warrant for petit larceny from Market 32, which occurred on August 9. On the same day, he was transported to State Police in Fonda due to a warrant for petit larceny from Lowes in Amsterdam, which occurred on November 9.
Following his arraignment in Colonie, Nolan-Schou was returned to the Schenectady County Jail, where he faced additional charges.
Shannon Hughes
Troy police recently transported Shannon Hughes, a 37-year-old resident of Troy, to Colonie on Friday, Feb. 2. She faced charges and an outstanding warrant for retail thefts occurring in December and January. According to Deputy Chief Belles, Hughes had two petit larcenies from LL Bean and one from Target. She also had prior petit larceny charges from TJ Maxx and Macy’s, failing to appear in court, resulting in a bench warrant issued in November. Hughes also had active warrants from East Greenbush PD for similar thefts.
As Hughes did not have any outstanding warrants at the time of the latest charges, she had to be released with an appearance ticket, as per the law. Her next court appearance is scheduled for February 14 in Colonie Town Court.
Gino Guadagno
Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple highlighted the case of Gino Guadagno, a 28-year-old resident of Hudson, as an example of the need for law changes. Guadagno was arrested 22 times in 2023 for retail crimes in Albany County, and currently has seven outstanding warrants for his arrest. He was previously convicted in 2015 for burglary and grand larceny, serving four years in state prison. As of press time, Guadagno’s current location is unknown.
Sheriff Apple called for action, stating, “We need to get out there, we need to stop this, we need to make sure people know that our communities are safe. We want to do it. So I need the State, I need the Senate, I need the Governor, I need the Assembly. We need to get out there and change some of these laws. And I know everybody’s sick of hearing about bail reform and everything else, but this goes hand in glove with it.”
In July, NY Senator Jake Ashby and Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara introduced a bill in the State Legislature to increase penalties for repeat retail theft offenders. However, the bill does not address the courts’ ability to set bail or hold repeat offenders. The bill is currently in committee and has not been scheduled for a vote in either house.
This news story was featured on page 12 of the February 14, 2024 edition of The Colonie Spotlight.
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– “Retail thefts in 12 months”
– “Spotlight News on retail thefts”.
