Investigations lead to multiple arrests
By RODNEY MINOR, The Leader-HeraldGLOVERSVILLE - City police have made multiple arrests following investigations into three incidents - two fires and a larceny - that all occurred in vacant buildings.
One of the fires severely damaged a house at 45 Grand St. and resulted in an arson charge for a 22-year-old Northville man. All others charged were teens.
Jerome Fonda, of 111 Fondacres Road, Northville, was charged by police with third-degree arson after an investigation into the April 17 fire.
Police said Fonda, Ryan M. Walker, 17, of 121 Spring St., and a 15-year-old city resident broke into the house, where Fonda started a fire on the floor. The fire spread through the building and caused extensive damage, police said.
The city would later have the building demolished because it was deemed structurally unsound.
Walker was charged with third-degree criminal trespass in the incident. The 15-year-old, whom police did not identify, was charged with juvenile delinquency, with the underlying charge being third-degree criminal trespass.
Walker also was charged with third-degree criminal trespass in the other two incidents investigated by city police.
Walker was one of four people arrested following an investigation into the theft of copper from a vacant building.
Timothy Belden, 19, listed as homeless, Jonathan Vouga, 16, of 28 Fourth Ave., and Andrew Thompson, 16, of 66 Fourth Ave. all were charged with third-degree burglary and petit larceny in the incident.
Police said all four entered 181 N. Main St. on several occasions and caused damage to the interior of the building while stealing copper.
Belden and Vouga were arraigned and sent to Fulton County Jail.
Thompson also was charged Tuesday with third-degree criminal trespass, along with Walker, following a police investigation into a June 16 fire at 185 N. Main St.
Police said the pair entered the building before the fire happened.
Both fires involved vacant buildings where youths would gather and party, police said.
Fonda and Thompson are being held at the Police Department. Walker was released with a ticket to appear in City Court.
Police said the investigation has not ended, and more arrests in the case are probable.
