2 Arrested in Liberty Home Burglary; State Police Recover Stolen Handguns and Cash

Liberty, NY— Two people were arrested after New York State Police investigated a reported burglary at a home in the Town of Liberty, authorities said.

Troopers from the New York State Police Liberty barracks responded at about 9:17 a.m. Feb. 25 to a residence on Fox Mountain Road for a reported burglary.

A preliminary investigation determined the home had been forcibly entered. Investigators said two handguns and a large amount of U.S. currency were stolen.

Police later located and arrested Heather L. Smith, 39, of South Fallsburg, and Anthony J. Atkins, 39, of Neversink. Both were transported to State Police in Liberty without incident. During the investigation, troopers recovered the two handguns and a portion of the stolen cash.

Atkins was charged with burglary in the second degree, a Class C felony; grand larceny in the third degree, a Class D felony; criminal mischief in the third degree, a Class E felony; two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, Class C felonies; and possession of burglar’s tools, a Class A misdemeanor.

Smith was charged with burglary in the second degree, a Class C felony; grand larceny in the third degree, a Class D felony; and a uniform traffic violation.

Smith and Atkins were arraigned in Town of Liberty Court. Smith was remanded to the Sullivan County Jail with bail set at $100,000 cash, $200,000 bond or $400,000 partially secured bond. Atkins was remanded to the same facility with bail set at $50,000 cash, $100,000 bond or $200,000 partially secured bond.

Both defendants are scheduled to return to Town of Liberty Court on March 3 at 10 a.m.

State police were assisted by the Village of Liberty Police Department and the Town of Fallsburg Police Department. Anyone with information is asked to contact the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Liberty at 845-344-5300.

Image Credit: New York State Police