David Degrasse, a 59-year-old resident of West Warwick, Rhode Island, has admitted to the interstate transportation of stolen property. The plea was entered on Tuesday and 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 NYSP Superintendent Steven G. James.
Degrasse confessed to sawing into an ATM at a restaurant in Catskill, New York, on April 27, 2023. He removed approximately $9,300 and transported it out of New York. Additionally, he acknowledged cutting alarm wires at a convenience store in Hillsdale, New York but abandoned that attempt to proceed to the Catskill location. Degrasse also admitted to similar thefts from ATMs in Walden and Pine Plains in New York; Lenox in Massachusetts; Concord; and Bagdad in Kentucky. In total, he stole over $55,000 from these ATMs.
As part of his plea agreement, Degrasse will forfeit the $9,300 taken from Catskill and pay restitution.
Acting U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III commented: “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 remarked: “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 added: “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 remains in custody as he awaits sentencing where he faces up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine reaching $250,000, and up to three years supervised release.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and NYSP with Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner handling prosecution duties.
