BRUNSWICK - The Rensselaer County Sheriff's Office and the New York State Police in Brunswick announce the arrest of four subjects accused of committing nearly a dozen daytime, residential burglaries in Rensselaer County. The four were arrested Wednesday evening after an extensive investigation conducted jointly by the Sheriff's Office and the State Police in Brunswick, as well as the Rensselaer County Drug Task Force and the Bennington, Vt. Police Department. All four were charged with Burglary in the second degree, a Class C Felony.

The charges stem from a string of break-ins that occurred, primarily, in the town of Pittstown, in Rensselaer County, but also extended as far as Bennington, VT.  Police report that a total of at least ten residential burglaries are attributed to this group and the investigation is continuing. Most of the proceeds consisted of high-end jewelry and gold, that the thieves then sold at local pawn shops. The total value of the stolen jewelry is estimated to be in excess of $100,000, some of which was recovered as a result of the investigation.

Arrested and remanded to the Rensselaer County Jail by the town of Pittstown Court were:

• James M. Large, 18, of Valley Falls, NY.

• Christian A. Olsen, 17, of Johnsonville, NY.

• Ethan M. Dearstyne, 17, of Valley Falls, NY.

• John E. Toomajian, 18, of Brunswick, NY.

Most of the burglaries occurred in the last two months. Police are asking that anyone with further information on this case call the State Police in Brunswick at 518-279-4427 or the Sheriff's Office Tips Line at 518-270-5252.