Posted by Julia Martin
Justin J. Tavarez, a 22 year-old Skidmore College student, was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny, a felony, after allegedly stealing a black leather bag out of a Saratoga Taxi cab in the early morning hours of April 12.
According to the Saratoga Wire, the bag contained three pool sticks and billiard accessories and held a total estimated value of $1,150. The bag was left in the taxi by a previous passenger who contacted Saratoga Taxi the next day in search of the bag. According to court documents the contents of the bag were recovered, but in a destroyed condition.
A person is guilty of grand larceny in the fourth degree when he or she steals property valued at greater than one thousand dollars.
Tavarez was also charged with misdemeanor theft of service, after allegedly fleeing the taxi without paying the $23.80 fare.
According to the Saratoga Wire, in 2010 Tavarez plead guilty to misdemeanor third-degree assault as part of a plea deal, after allegedly smashing a plate over a man's head inside Compton's Restaurant on Broadway in December of 2010. The deal dismissed two felony charges that had been brought against him under the hate crimes statute.
Tavarez was ordered to pay $348 to cover the medical expenses of the victim and released on conditional discharge. Skidmore College imposed sanctions required that Tavarez complete 100 hours of community service and attend conflict resolution training sessions.
A full description of the 2010 sentence can be found at: http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Man-sentenced-in-diner-brawl-1333406.php
For his more recent offence, bail was set at $250 cash or $1,000 bond. Tavarez will return to Saratoga Springs City Court on May 2.
For the full story visit: http://saratogawire.com/article/1060/130417-skidmore-student-charged-with-larceny/