COLONIE, NY — Three people have been arrested in connection with a series of vehicle larcenies following a police appeal for public assistance on social media.
Christine Sirman, 44, of Saranac Lake, was first arrested on Jan. 2 after a resident observed her attempting to gain access to his parked vehicle.
The resident contacted police and continued to observe Sirman as she attempted to gain access to his neighbors’ vehicle.
Sirman was located and arrested by responding officers and released on an appearance ticket, and her parole officer was notified.
On Jan. 5, Sirman was again observed by a resident stealing from parked vehicles and was arrested a second time by responding officers.
She was released under the supervision of probation with electronic monitoring.
Sirman faces charges of criminal impersonation and five counts of petit larceny, both misdemeanors.
On Jan. 7, Terrance Behan, 56, of Troy, was observed stealing from unlocked cars in the lot of Bella Napoli.
An eyewitness provided a description and Behan was arrested a short time later at the Latham Inn.
Behan was released on an appearance ticket and faces a charge of petit larceny, a misdemeanor.
On Jan. 8, Joseph Panetta, 53, of Albany, was observed going through unlocked vehicles by a resident who immediately contacted police and kept watching Panetta until officers arrived.
Panetta attempted to flee prior to police arrival but was located and arrested.
Panetta was arraigned and is currently being held at the Albany County Correctional Facility for a parole violation.
He faces charges of felony parole warrant, criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree and false personation.
Police are asking anyone who may have been victimized during this timeframe, specifically in the Fuller Road and Sand Creek Road corridors, to contact the Investigations Division at (518) 783-2754.
