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Stephen Lippolis was charged on Saturday in connection with copper thefts from locations throughout Dutchess County after a four-month investigation by the Sheriff's Office Detective Bureau.
Lippolis was charged with third- and fourth-degree grand larceny, both felonies.
Detectives said they linked Lippolis to larcenies of copper from New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) facilities, Central Hudson utility stations and a cell tower site in Dutchess County.
Lippolis is additionally accused of breaking into the sites, causing significant damage in the process, and then removing the copper. The total dollar amount of stolen copper and damage done is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to the Sheriff's Office, and all the copper was sold before it could be recovered.
Lippolis was arraigned in the Town of Beekman Court and sent to the Dutchess County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bail or $100,000 bond. Lippolis is due to reappear before that same court at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.
The investigation is continuing, and anyone who has information in relation to Dutchess County-area copper larcenies is urged to contact Detective Harris or Detective Pfitscher at 845-486-3820. All calls will be kept confidential.
The Sheriff's Office said further charges may follow, including possible charges from other jurisdictions that have similar investigations.
The Sheriff’s Office was assisted in the investigation by the Dutchess County Drug Task Force, New York State Police, Town of Poughkeepsie Police and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.
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