CLIFTON PARK – The New York State Police have apprehended two men from Schenectady in relation to a series of burglaries and thefts in the Clifton Park vicinity.
The two suspects, Olijajwuan W. Sheppard, 25, and Johnson Gooden-Prunty, 29, both hailing from Schenectady, have been formally charged. Sheppard is facing a second-degree burglary charge among others, while Gooden-Prunty is looking at a third-degree burglary charge and additional charges, according to the police report.
The investigation was initiated on the morning of Sept. 7, when the police were alerted about two suspicious men in the Castle Pines Drive area in Clifton Park. Despite a thorough search, the men were not found at that time.
Shortly after, the troopers received another report of a man, fitting the description from the earlier complaint, seen entering an unoccupied building without authorization in the Bruno Road area of Clifton Park.
Upon responding, law enforcement officers, with the assistance of a Saratoga County Sheriff’s deputy, discovered Gooden-Prunty. He was identified as the man who had trespassed into the building and was found in possession of stolen goods, as per the police statement.
The search for the second suspect continued and, following an extended foot chase, Sheppard was apprehended near Glenbrook Court, the police added.
Sheppard was also found to be in possession of stolen items, the police confirmed.
Both suspects are believed to have collaborated in entering several unsecured vehicles in the area and stealing items from within, the police further stated.
Sheppard has also been identified as a suspect in a burglary that took place in early August in Ballston Spa. He is alleged to have unlawfully entered a garage attached to a residence and stolen items from vehicles parked inside, according to the police.
Following their arrest, Sheppard and Gooden-Prunty were processed and held on a bail of $5,000 each.
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Agree
Disagree with the allegations.
Good punctuation and grammar, agree: This is a serious issue that needs to be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted. We need to hold individuals accountable for their actions, regardless of their profession.