A Syracuse man admits he broke into the Vestal Elks Lodge and stole an ATM nearly a year ago.
According to Broome County District Attorney Michael Korchak’s office, Phillip Jackson, 40, pleaded guilty in Broome County Court to felony third-degree burglary and will be sentenced in December.
According to the DA press release, Jackson broke into Vestal Elks Lodge #2508 located at 2701 Vestal Parkway West on August 31, 2021 and stole the ATM. The machine contained $6,100 in cash.
Surveillance cameras captured the break-in and theft and camera footage was used to identify Jackson.
Authorities say the Syracuse man was arrested by New York State Police in the Albany area on unrelated charges.
The press release did not say whether Jackson had any connection to the local chapter or a chapter of the fraternal organization or why the Vestal building was being targeted.
Korchak’s office said Jackson will receive a two- to four-year sentence in New York state prison when he is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 19 by Judge Joseph Cawley.
Officials did not say why Jackson was arrested in Albany.
The Vestal ATM hug was investigated by the City of Vestal Police Department with the assistance of the New York State Police.
Korchak commended the various law enforcement agencies involved in the Elks Lodge case and other incidents in their cooperative efforts to track down the suspects. Recent examples cited include cooperative investigations by the Broome County Sheriff’s Office, Vestal Police, New York State Police and prosecutors.
