Richfield Springs Man Arrested

For Stealing From Food Pantry

RICHFIELD SPRINGS – Tips from the public helped State Police locate and arrest the man who allegedly stole $2,500 worth of Price Chopper gift cards intended to assist families in purchasing holiday meals, Trooper Aga Dembinska, Troop C public information officer, reported.

Jeremy T. Harris, 44, Richfield Springs, was arrested after an investigation into the theft of 65 gift cards from the food pantry at the Church of Christ Uniting. The cards, which were stored in a locked box, were intended to be given out to families in need of additional help purchasing food for the holidays.

When the police issued a plea to help identify the suspect, Dembinska said, “several members”of the public reached out with tips, leading to Harris’ arrest.

39 of the gift cards were recovered in Harris’ possession. He was charged with the felonies of Burglary in the third degree, Grand Larceny in the fourth degree and 39 counts of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the fourth degree.

Harris was processed and released on appearance tickets to the village of Richfield Springs court on Jan. 19, 2021.