Police: Man Charged With 7 Felony Counts of Burglary

A Monticello man was charged with felonies for 7 counts of Burglary, and Criminal Mischief after police caught him in the act.

Monticello Police received a report of a burglary in progress at a seasonal bungalow colony. Upon arrival officers observed Melbourne Ridge, age 39, of Monticello standing by a pile of accumulated copper while holding bolt cutters.

Once he saw officers, Ridge dropped the bolt cutters and started walking towards a parked vehicle. Police instructed him to stop, at which point he began running from officers.

Officers began a foot pursuit and chased Ridge to a wooded area where he physically struggled with officers trying to take him into custody. Ridge was physically taken to the ground and arrested, according to a press release.

A check of the bungalow colony showed 7 separate units had been entered and sustained

significant damage as a result of copper piping being ripped out. Officers also searched Ridge's parked vehicle where additional items believed to be stolen from the units were found.

Ridge was arraigned and sent to Sullivan County Jail without bail. Additional charges are pending by Monticello police. Ridge was also wanted by the NYSP at Liberty on a bench warrant issued by the Town of Thompson court for aggravated criminal contempt

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