Three Arrested after String of Burglaries

Walton, N.Y. – Today, Sheriff Craig S. DuMond announced that a six-month long investigation resulted in the arrest of three Delaware County residents on charges of larceny and Burglary.

On April 29th 2022, Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to a report of a burglary that occurred at Herman’s Trailer Sales in the Town of Walton. Preliminary investigation revealed that a number of items were removed from a residence, garage, and office at that location, and various forms of property including household items, office equipment, and miscellaneous tools and parts were stolen from within those buildings.

Following the initial report of Burglary at this location, the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office received a number of additional reports of larceny and burglary from the same location, including the reported theft of household items, office equipment, miscellaneous tools, parts, and scrap steel.

Subsequent investigation revealed that a number of stolen items including rare antiquities and jewelry were sold for cash at a pawn Shop in the City of Utica. Following the recovery of the stolen and pawned property, and upon completion of their investigation, Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies and members of the Delaware County Sheriffs Office Criminal Investigation Division were successful in locating and retrieving a quantity of the stolen items from various locations in the Town of Walton, Town of Sidney, Town of Unadilla, and at a residence in South New Berlin New York. 

On October 7th 2022, at the completion of their investigation, Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies and members of the Criminal Investigation Division arrested and charged 39-year-old Francis Lupo of Walton New York, with petit larceny, criminal mischief 4th degree, and (3) counts of Burglary 3rd degree, a Class D Felony, 44-year-old Luke Lupo, of South New Berlin New York, with petit larceny, criminal mischief 4th degree, and (2) counts of Burglary 3rd degree, a Class D Felony, and 33-year-old Mistyblue Decker of Hancock New York, with criminal mischief 4th degree and petit larceny.

Following arrest processing, Mistyblue Decker was released on Appearance Tickets returnable to Walton Town Court at a later date.

Francis Lupo and Luke Lupo were later arraigned in front of Judge Rippa at the Town of Walton Court on the above charges. Due to Bail Reform Legislation, the alleged felons were released on their own recognizance, without bail awaiting further court action. 

Members of the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office were assisted with this investigation by members of the New Berlin Police Department, and members of the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff’s Deputies say this investigation is still ongoing, and additional charges may be filed in the future.

Commenting on the arrest, Sheriff Craig DuMond remarked, “why would these alleged thieves stop doing what they are doing?  Without immediate consequences for this type of egregious behavior, there is no incentive to change…that is basic human nature.  Bail reform has left the rights of crime victims in the cold, while supporting the rights of criminals…upside down and backwards from my perspective!”