LIBERTY — Following a several weeks long investigation into a recent string of property crime, the Village of Liberty  Police Department has arrested two men who reside in the Village of Liberty, Adam Awny, 42 and Paul  Ellis, 39.  

The arrests came after a series of reports that parked cars in the village were opened and rummaged through in the middle of the night, often with property stolen from their vehicles. 

Investigating Officers took multiple complaints in the month of April that appeared to all be similar in  nature. Officers found that two men, who appeared to be acting together, were stealing from vehicles  taking a variety of items. It was also found that credit and debit cards were stolen and used locally in the  village.  

On April 19th as a result of the multiple theft investigations, Liberty Police Officers located and arrested  Adam Awny on Chestnut Street in the Village of Liberty. Prior to being taken into custody, Awny  attempted to hide and conceal evidence and stolen property from the incidents. Officers were able to  recover some of the stolen property including jewelry and clothing.  

Awny was charged with three counts criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, grand  larceny in the fourth degree and tampering with physical evidence, all felonies. He was additionally  charged with two counts of petit larceny, a misdemeanor.  

Following Awny’s arrest the Liberty Police Department continued to investigate in an attempt to identify  and locate the second suspect. On April 20th two officers from the Village of Liberty Police Department  were on foot patrol in the Main Street area when they located Paul Ellis who was believed to be the  second suspect in this case. Ellis fled on foot down an alleyway and after a foot pursuit was  apprehended by officers.  

Ellis was charged with two counts of criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree and  grand larceny in the fourth degree, all felonies.  

Both men were arraigned in the Town of Liberty Court and remanded to the Sullivan County Jail to be  held without bail pending a future court appearance.  

Chief of Police Steven D’Agata stated, “This case is an excellent example of good old fashion police work  resulting in holding offenders accountable. Recognizing that a large number of Village residents had been  victimized by having their personal property stolen, officers dedicated the time and energy to pursue  every lead and ultimately identify and arrest those responsible.”  

Criminal charges are merely allegations that a defendant has committed violations of the criminal law,  and as such they are not evidence of guilt. All defendants have a presumption of innocence and are  entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the burden of the State of New York to prove guilt beyond a  reasonable doubt.