Fence Builder Ghosts Several Capital Region Homeowners After Taking Thousands, Police Say
The owner of a fence building company is accused of taking thousands of dollars from area homeowners for jobs that were never completed.
Schenectady County resident James Butler, age 30, of Glenville, was arrested on Friday, Feb. 23 on a felony charge of grand larceny.
Glenville Police said Butler, who owns and operates “Trust a Fence,” accepted over $7,000 from a Glenville homeowner to purchase fencing material. However, the job was never finished.
An investigation found several similar claims that are being investigated by the Scotia, Colonie, Guilderland, and Niskayuna police department…
Taxidermist Admits Improperly Disposing Of Animals, Other Violations At Capital Region Business
A taxidermist in the region has admitted to improperly disposing of animal parts and other violations.
The Schenectady County business owner, who operates a taxidermy company in Glenville on Scotch Bush Road, pleaded guilty and paid a fine for Environmental Conservation Law violations on Monday, Oct. 3.
According to the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), officers executed a search warrant at the business in April 2023.
Inside, they reportedly found animal parts that were improperly disposed of and susceptible to Chronic Wasting Disease, which affects deer, elk, reindeer, and m…
Cold Case Confession: NY Man Admits Stabbing Woman To Death 29 Years Later, Police Say
Nearly 30 years after a woman was found stabbed to death inside her home, a New York man has confessed to her murder following a DNA breakthrough.
Schenectady County resident Stephen Smerk, age 51, of Niskayuna, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the November 1994 killing of Robin Lawrence in Springfield, Virginia, police announced Monday, Sept. 11.
The 37-year-old mother was found dead from multiple stab wounds three days after the killing, on Nov. 20, 1994, according to police. Her 2-year-old daughter was also found in the home days later, unharmed.
Investigators devel…
