Port Washington Police Arrest Suspect in Bicycle Thefts

Port Washington Police say they have arrested a suspect in connection with a series of bicycle thefts from the Long Island Rail Road station.

After a joint investigation conducted with MTA Police, police arrested Charles J. Rutledge, 42, from New Cassel.

Port Washington Police Assistant Chief James Salerno said this arrest was the product of good police work and cooperation form a local community business. Port Washington Police reached out to Port Washington Bicycles and met with the owner, Ralph Intintoli. Police say that without hesitation, Intintoli offered police a brand new Trek bicycle and lock. Port Washington Detectives used the bicycle over a course of several weeks in various locations around the LIRR station.

On Wednesday, Port Washington Police say that detectives and the Problem Oriented Policing Unit surveilled Rutledge using bolt cutters, attempting to steal the Trek bicycle. Rutledge was placed under arrest and charged with attempted petit larceny, possession of burglar tools, criminal mischief  and three open warrants. 

Rutledge was arraigned on Thursday in First District Court and held on $7,500.00 bail.