Arrests made in Glove Theatre theft

Son of City Court judge among those charged

By RODNEY MINOR, The Leader-Herald

GLOVERSVILLE - The son of City Court Judge Vincent DeSantis was one of three men arrested Wednesday by city police for allegedly breaking into the Glove Theatre and stealing about $14,000 worth of tools and equipment.

James C. DeSantis, 20, of 23 Prospect Ave., was charged with third-degree burglary and third-degree grand larceny, both felonies. Police leveled the same charges against Corey A. Wollard, 17, and Shawn Hemstreet, 16, both of 33 Sixth Ave.

As of this morning, police still were looking for a fourth person who they believe was involved in the burglary.

Police reported more than $7,000 in power tools were stolen. The tools belonged to Randall Etheredge, a carpenter from Ancram, Columbia County, who volunteered last year to help renovate the stage at the theater. He eventually joined the Glove's Board of Directors.

A number of other items also were reportedly taken from the theater, including two sound boards, six walkie-talkies, a number of hand-held and wireless microphones and some candy that was to be sold at the concession stand.

Police Capt. Jim Lorenzoni said "good, old-fashioned police work" led to the arrests. Detectives conducted a large number of interviews before the arrests were made, he said.

Police said some items have been recovered, including the soundboards. They were found at the residence of Wollard and Hemstreet, police said.

Police said detectives are investigating the whereabouts of other stolen items.

Emily Grant, executive director of the theater, said after the burglary occurred that given the location of some of the items, it seemed as if someone with knowledge of the theater must have taken them.

Lorenzoni said it was possible, though it has not been confirmed by police, James DeSantis could have been familiar with the layout of the theater through his family's participation in its activities.

A former president of the Glove's Board of Directors, Vincent DeSantis was a key player in getting the theater reopened in 1997. It had been closed for more than 20 years.

Vincent DeSantis, who has been serving on the bench in Fulton County Family Court, said this morning it would be improper for him to comment on the arrests at this time.

The three suspects were arraigned Wednesday night in City Court and remanded to the Fulton County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail. Jail officials said all three still were there this morning.