Two Arrested After Using Counterfeit Money at Poughkeepsie Store

Three New York men have been arrested in the Town of Poughkeepsie after police targeted organized retail theft in the area and discovered two of the three were using counterfeit money to purchase items at this store.

Over the last few years retail theft rings have become a major problem at stores in New York including many in Poughkeepsie and across the Hudson Valley. The problem has gotten so bad that area police are often overwhelmed by the number of people caught stealing at stores every month.

Home Depots Thefts Rise, Police Target Thieves

Home Depot stores are often the scene of retail crimes and with stores in Poughkeepsie, Wappingers Falls, and Fishkill, local police have begun efforts to combat retail theft by a targeted enforcement of organized retail theft in the area.

Men Allegedly Used Counterfeit Money at Home Depot

The Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department in conjunction with the New York State Police has announced that they have made three arrests at the Home Depot store on North Road in the town of Poughkeepsie.

According to police, an investigation determined that two of the three men allegedly used counterfeit money to purchase items at the Home Depot store on Friday, March 22, 2024. Police said that 33-year-old Christopher S. Dale and 41-year-old Neigabe J. Stewart used $1,400 in counterfeit U.S. Currency to purchase approximately $1,270 worth of merchandise from Home Depot.

Police also said that during the investigation it was determined that Dale and Stewart were found to be working in a coordinated effort to commit the crime.

During the same investigation 44-year-old Shefqet Krasniqi of Wappinger, NY, was observed by police stealing over $1,200 of merchandise from the same store.

3 Men Charged After Thefts at Home Depot

Christopher Dale of New York, NY, was arrested and charged with three felonies including Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument, Grand Larceny in the 4th degree, and Conspiracy in the 4th degree. Neigabe Stewart of Mount Vernon, NY, and Shefqet Krasniqi were arrested and charged with Conspiracy in the 4th degree, a felony.

SEE ALSO: Big Changes Inside New York Home Depot Stores

Dale and Stewart were arraigned before the town of Poughkeepsie Court with Stewart being sent to the Dutchess County Jail without bail. Dale was released under the supervision of the Dutchess County Probation Department and Krasniqi was issued an appearance ticket that is returnable to the town of Poughkeepsie Court at a later date.

Retail theft at stores across New York and beyond has become such a problem that many big-name stores like Target, Rite Aid, and Home Depot have begun new policies to try and combat the nationwide problem. Police and stores are hopeful that successful operations like those mentioned above will deter others from committing retail crimes.