MONTICELLO, NY – Members of the Village of Monticello Police arrested Samantha J. Ripley, 32, of Monticello on December 29 and charged her with the felonies of Burglary in the 3rd degree and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 5th degree. 

Ripley was also charged with misdemeanors for Possession of Burglary Tools and four counts of Criminal Mischief in the 4th degree.

At 9:30 p.m. on Friday, Monticello police officers responded to a report of a burglary in progress of an office building located at 7-10 St. John Street in the village. An eyewitness alerted the police after observing Ripley pulling and prying at a rear door of the building before she entered it. 

Officers arrived on the scene and arrested Ripley as she exited the building. Ripley was in possession of a long-handled screwdriver and 600 milligrams of crack cocaine when arrested. Ripley had also damaged four doors located inside the building during the burglary. 

In accordance with New York State bail guidelines, Ripley was issued an appearance ticket to return on January 8 at 10 a.m. in village justice court. 

The filing of an accusatory instrument is merely an accusation and every person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.