Three arrested in warehouse heist

KENT – Three Lake Carmel residents have been arrested following an investigation into the theft and sale of high definition flat-screen televisions from a local business.

In early March, a Putnam County Sheriff’s Office undercover narcotics investigator developed information that an employee of a Putnam County moving and storage company stole two 32-inch “LG” color TVs valued at about $1,000 each, from his place of employment.

The TVs were kept at a facility awaiting delivery to a hotel that was under construction.

Investigators learned that Allan Hopper, 23, of Lake Carmel, allegedly stole the TVs and sold them to acquaintances for below market value. They were tracked to two homes in the Town of Kent where they were found when investigators, armed with search warrants, gained entry to the residences.

Four Kent residents were arrested.

Hopper is accused of stealing the TVs and was charged with two counts of grand larceny in the second degree, a felony.

Anthony Diamond, 22, of Lake Carmel, was arrested and charged with criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, a felony, for purchasing one of the stolen sets for $650. He was also charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

John Cartularo, 28, of Lake Carmel, bought the other TV for $550. He was charged with tampering with physical evidence, in the third degree.

During the executive of the search warrants, an 18-year-old Carmel youth was charged with disorderly conduct for allegedly hampering the investigative efforts.

The stolen property was recovered.