Arrests made in Glove Theatre theft
Son of City Court judge among those chargedBy 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.
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Independent
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07-17-08 6:54 PM
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is that really all u people care about??? what these people do in your community?!?!?! honestly, that has nothing to do with this. these actions arent reflected on their parents... they are grown boys who make their own decisions! how many of you are actually parents to teenagers? and how many of you actually talk to them? because these three boys arent the only ones breaking laws. before you judge or criticize these boys or their parents think about your kids for a second... last time i checked drinking under the age of 21 is ILLEGAL! drugs= ILLEGAL! you're not perfect and neither are they. they should have published ANYONE'S names... because they are minors they shouldn't even have published the 17 and 16 y.o. names. and incase you havent noticed the bail is $10,000.... i dont know about you but i dont have that kinda money just laying around... did you ever stop to think that maybe these parents work for a living just pay bills and have no extra cash!!!
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dogman12
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07-17-08 6:53 PM
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I want to say that I hope that the kids learn from this ! I myself done a stuped thing growing up and one time tought me ( thanks to Tom Dagget (Under Sheriff) ) . Hung with the wrong group !! I grew up and done well . I can't blame Judge Desantis he's a good person and judge and does alot for Gloversville !The thing here is glad they coaght the kids and hope they learn crime doesn't pay ! If any of these three are repeaters hang them !!
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Carlttfn
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07-17-08 6:44 PM
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Bottom line is.. a prominent figures son got busted for this non-sence, bad acts. Will there be follow up on this "kid" as he goes through the system.?? NOT!. Is there truth with the past,..hardley.. Clerk of G'ville,. I think not. It deserves no less coverage. I suspect after today..It'll be gone. Gary M. will still be front page with G'ville's Atty's wanting to destroy him, as this thief walks.., keeping in mind the same Atty's robbed the tri-county with the fake pension associations.
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CaringMom
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07-17-08 6:40 PM
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I think the LH should publish the names of the other parents.Where do they work? What do they do for community service? Were they asked for a comment? Will the LH publish the names of their employees when their children get arrested ? I think not!I do know this young man & his father. Would the LH report how heart-broken this man is ? He has done his best to teach this child right from wrong. James is old enough to make his own decisions. Mr D is a fine upstanding man. Let's not drag him thru the mud (or any of the rest of the family either). Come on LH, why not print the details of the other family & apologize to Mr Desantis.
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hardworkingmom
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07-17-08 6:18 PM
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IN response to "Freedom", bashing other parents is a strong term. WE all know parents who are not involved with the community, they just criticize it and standby and complain. On the contrary, this family has a vested interest in our community. We should show respect to each other, a lesson to teach our children. Would the communities 100 years ago treat each other that way? Look how much is lost by doing that. We all can communicate our criticisms without bashing and still get our points across.
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TalkTalk
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07-17-08 6:13 PM
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I suspect the difference is Judge D himself. People know him as a good and caring father.
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hardworkingmom
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07-17-08 6:12 PM
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Why is the Judge the only parent mentioned? I notice that none of the young people involved have had bail made. Good for you. Despite the anguish that all families endure from an incident like this, allowing the system to teach the wrong is the correct thing to do in my eyes. If I were in the same situation, my heart would want to bail my child out. It does not teach them repercussions for their actions. We can give our children the tools to live by, but its what they choose to do with it is their choice. There is no more difficult lesson to have to pay for their choices. I think the LH was wrong to have the Judge, a respected member of our society, as a lead in to the story. Has our paper turned into the local "Star" magazine? If it was a John Doe from downtown, the article would be written differently. Let's be fair and balanced to all people here. My thoughts are with you Judge during this difficult time. My respect for you has not changed.
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FREEDOM
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07-17-08 5:56 PM
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With no disrespect to mr Desantis, I would like to know where are all of you parent and parenting bashers, most of the people who post on here are always complaining about other parent's who's kids commit crimes blaming the parent for thier kids actions why is this any different. Double standard?
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homesweetsacandaga
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07-17-08 5:01 PM
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Wow...I agree with Rage. Didn't yesterday, do today. Lead by example. Fox News did report that it was the judge's son when they covered it last night. The Leader Herald didn't have to follow. If we want to change journalistic integrity we have to start somewhere and I'm glad that the LH's loyal readers are speaking out on the forum against the writer's decision. We may not agree on everything, Rage, but I have to apologize for making rude comments yesterday because even when we don't agree, I respect your opinion. I happen to agree with this opinion and you deserve kudos for relevant, well-thought out posts. The story shouldn't have included that info. Judge D is a public servant, his son is not. If he was arrested, it's news. This story opens with simple journalistic fanaticism and that's not news...that's just wrong.
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mistyblue0909
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07-17-08 4:50 PM
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I think the point is that no matter how good of a person you are,you may still have a child to do something stupid in his lifetime and this was his turn. It doesn't make his parents less good,does it?
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TalkTalk
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07-17-08 4:28 PM
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Perhaps I should have left off "non-libelous"?
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RageoftheDay
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07-17-08 4:21 PM
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Amen Brownry
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Hunidu
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07-17-08 4:18 PM
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I remember the judge from back in Estee Jr.high We had a "meeting" out on the gym floor after gym class as per "Coahh's" orders to get it "setteled out" And yes the judge settled it and we were friends and "respect was shown then JUST AS IT SHOULD BE DONE NOW" My thoughts and prayres are with you & your family Judge.
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TalkTalk
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07-17-08 4:00 PM
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All this DeSantis talk, let's give some equal time. Does anyone know anything (non-libelous) about the other two suspects ("Corey A. Wollard, 17, and Shawn Hemstreet, 16, both of 33 Sixth Ave")or their parents? How about the 4th suspect, any id yet?
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InnocentParty
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07-17-08 3:33 PM
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Are you blaming James' actions on the people he was with? If so, you disspell your second sentence.
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BROWNEYEZ
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07-17-08 3:26 PM
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Judge Desantis and his family have nothing to be ashamed about. once your children are grown their actions are their responsibility!! The Desantis's are good parents and good friends of my family!! NOONE is perfect! we all make mistakes, some of us make bigger ones then others that's all!! I will think of them in my prayers and hope that their son has learned a valuable lesson of which company to keep!! Remember we have all done something we should'nt have some of us just haven't gotten caught!! thats what we call luck!!!!
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GvilleNola
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07-17-08 3:09 PM
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The LH did its job by reporting the news. The arrest of a judges son is newsworthy and worthy of the headlines. It is not the LH that brought shame upon the good judge, it was his son. I feel sorrow for the judge and his family. In comitting a crime, the younger DeSantis knew of the possible consequenses including the shaming of his family. Looking at the bigger picture, however, they should not be ashamed they did not commit this crime.
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TalkTalk
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07-17-08 3:07 PM
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The press is just doing their job. Judge D is a prominent figure. Any story that even remotely involves him is news. Despite his name being mentioned (like in this blog over and over) on such an uncomfortable occasion, I doubt even he finds fault with the reporters. Besides, it gives everyone an excuse to be extra nice and law abiding.
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lucycat43
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07-17-08 2:49 PM
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Reading about this was heartbreaking. Not for James, but for Vince who has devoted so many years to making our city better. I too wish the headline did not point out that he was the son of a city Judge. I am so saddened that Vince has to go through this.
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ILUVTHEATRE
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07-17-08 2:31 PM
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In response to you, Silent, I too have known Vince DeSantis for many years and had the pleasure of working with his son in the theatre community - not only at the Glove but in other places. Vince has inded devoted the last 20 years to doing the best he could for his son and no doubt, this is an absolute heartbreak for him and anyone who knows this family - especially since Vince devoted years volunteering and contributing to the re-opening of the theatre he loves so much. His son grew up in the theatre. I have not seen his son in over a year, but something crazy must have happened in his head to do something so off the wall. It is a sad day indeed...but I am EXTREMELY happy the Glove has at least some of their equipment back - that in itself is WONDERFUL. I do wish the L-H had not asked Vince for a comment...
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Bannasmom
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07-17-08 2:06 PM
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Whether or not Judge D's name should have been mentioned, I sat "Kudos" to him for not commenting on the whole deal. Many parents would have spoken up in some form, even to the point of calling the newspaper before the paper called them. To Judge D. and ALL the families involved, your in my thoughts.
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TalkTalk
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07-17-08 2:00 PM
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I don't imagine it's a good day for the parents of any of those arrested, including those of the one the GPD is still looking for, but my heart too goes out for Judge D. Never did a man care more for - not just his community (some may recall he recently published a book "Toward Civic Integrity"), but for his son. If James did what he's accused of, it defies all reason.
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Don12134
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07-17-08 1:49 PM
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I heartily agree with "Freedom's" 11:39AM posting. Judge Vincent DeSantis is the "victim" in this situation. The Leader Herald did extremely POOR to ROTTEN in handling this news story. The "perp's" names SHOULD be listed. No PARENTS names should have been. Freedom, you said "The LH should be ashamed." I second the motion!!
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MrRoboto
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07-17-08 1:39 PM
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BTW, again, while I feel for Judge D on this one, The Leader-Herald was only doing its job. The Gazette wrote the story much the same way, and put it in the headline too. ww w.dailygazette.c om/news/2008/jul/17/0717_theatertheft/
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zeus77
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07-17-08 1:21 PM
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The GPD did their usual good job in this case. The names of the suspects should have been published. But as to putting the parents names in the paper all the parents should have been named or none of the parents should have been identified. that is just my opinion.
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