TOWN OF CHENANGO, NY — A 69-year-old man is facing three felony burglary charges after allegedly stealing donated cans and bottles from a Boy Scouts donation bin.
John C. Dubrava, of Chenango Forks, was arrested Wednesday following an investigation into thefts from the BSA Troop 152 Scouts donation bin at Valley Christian Reformed Church.
The Broome County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of stolen returnable cans and bottles that scouts collect for recycling, with proceeds funding programming and camping supplies.
A scoutmaster reported noticing an empty donation bin over several months and installed a game camera inside to monitor potential thefts.
The camera captured thefts on Dec. 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, showing the same suspect taking bags of donated cans and bottles.
Sheriff’s investigators sent the footage to the Southern Tier Crime Analysis Center, where New York State Police identified the suspect as Dubrava, who had been previously arrested in Chenango County in a similar case.
Investigators compared the donation bin footage to body camera footage from previous interactions with Dubrava, matching his face, body and vehicle.
On Wednesday, investigators located Dubrava and the vehicle at a residence on Sapbush Road in Chenango Forks.
Dubrava was charged with three counts of burglary in the third degree, class D felonies, and petit larceny, a class A misdemeanor.
The New York State Police assisted the Broome County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation.
