David Degrasse, a 59-year-old resident of West Warwick, Rhode Island, has pleaded guilty to the interstate transportation of stolen property. The plea was announced by Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli of the Albany Field Office of the FBI, and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James.
Degrasse admitted to sawing into an ATM at a restaurant in Catskill, New York on April 27, 2023, stealing approximately $9,300 and transporting it out of state. He also confessed to cutting alarm wires at a convenience store in Hillsdale, New York before abandoning that attempt for the Catskill location. Additionally, he acknowledged similar thefts from ATMs in Walden and Pine Plains in New York; Lenox in Massachusetts; Concord in Massachusetts; and Bagdad in Kentucky, totaling over $55,000.
As part of his plea agreement, Degrasse will forfeit the $9,300 from the Catskill theft and pay restitution.
Acting U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III remarked: “David Degrasse’s multi-state crime spree is over. His arrest and prosecution should put an end to his despicable targeting and burglarizing of small businesses.”
FBI Special Agent Craig L. Tremaroli added: “Mr. Degrasse’s arrest should send a clear message that the FBI will work diligently with our law enforcement partners to investigate and hold accountable any criminal who decides to target our small businesses for their own personal gain.”
NYSP Superintendent Steven G. James commented: “This case demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement to hold individuals accountable who prey on small businesses and violate the safety of our communities.”
Degrasse faces up to 10 years in prison, a fine up to $250,000, and up to three years supervised release upon sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and NYSP with Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner prosecuting.
