SCHUYLER, HERKIMER CO. -- Three Frankfort men were arrested for allegedly stealing pumpkins from a Schuyler pumpkin field.
According to State Police, Michael P. Bono, 31, Aaron R. Kinch, 21, and Michael W. Witt, 18, were arrested after Trooper Daniel Snyder noticed a van parked on the side of Carder Lane Rd. near a pumpkin field in the Town of Schuyler.
According to State Police, Trooper Snyder said he saw large pumpkins in the back of the van and then spoke to Bono who was returning from the field.
Bono allegedly told Trooper Snyder that he had permission to take the pumpkins, but when Trooper Snyder tried to obtain contact information of the land owner, Bono admitted that he did not have permission to take the pumpkins.
According to State Police, Bono told Trooper Snyder that he was alone. Trooper Snyder used a thermal imager to scan the area and discovered that there were two other people in the pumpkin field. When Trooper Snyder announced that the field was going to be searched by K-9 Juna, Kinch and Witt came forth and surrendered to police.
State Police say that when the land owner arrived at the scene, he told police he had not given the suspects permission to take pumpkins from his field.
Bono, Kinch, and Witt were all charged with petit larceny and released. A file check on Kinch revealed that he is currently on parole for burglary. The suspects are scheduled to appear in the Town of Schuyler court on November 7.
