DeWitt Police Department announced a major breakthrough in its investigation of a series of retail thefts and vehicle break‑ins that plagued the area over the past several months. Following tips and diligent interview work, investigators traced stolen merchandise to a Syracuse residence at 1228 Butternut Street.
Search warrant uncovers stolen property and illegal drugs
On Wednesday, DeWitt officers obtained and executed a search warrant at the home of 58‑year‑old Melissa L. Ott. Inside, they discovered a large quantity of newly stolen power tools, hand tools, instruments and assorted home goods that had been taken from local hardware stores such as Home Depot and Harbor Freight.
In addition to the stolen items, police found a substantial cache of narcotics and drug‑paraphernalia, including 73.5 grams of ecstasy, 103 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, 9.8 grams of cocaine, 152 buprenorphine films, numerous illegally possessed prescription pills, scales, packaging materials, cutting agents and $763 in cash.
Arrests and charges
Ott was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the second, third, fourth, fifth and seventh degrees, as well as criminal use of drug paraphernalia in the second degree. Police also noted that William C. Geariety, 59, of Syracuse, was present during the search. Geariety was arrested on an active warrant from DeWitt Town Court for drug‑related offenses and was found with 0.3 grams of crack cocaine, resulting in a charge of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree.
Impact on victims and next steps
DeWitt Police emphasized that once the recovered stolen items are inventoried and categorized, victims will be notified and their property returned. Additional charges may be filed against Ott for possessing the stolen property.
The department urged anyone with further information to contact DeWitt Police at (315) 449‑3640 or via email at [email protected].
Community response
Local business owners expressed relief that the investigation has led to the recovery of stolen tools and a crackdown on drug activity that threatened neighborhood safety. The swift action underscores the department’s commitment to protecting families, upholding the rule of law, and preserving the peace that makes DeWitt and the surrounding Syracuse area a strong, family‑focused community.
Original reporting: CNY Central WSTM (Sinclair) – local — read the source article.
