Conviction was Johnathan Arnold’s 4th Felony Conviction
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that Johnathan Arnold, age 31, of Newburgh, was sentenced in Orange County Court to two (2) to four (4) years in prison, the maximum sentence available under the law, after having been convicted following a jury trial of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, the sole count against him. The conviction was Arnold’s fourth (4th) felony conviction.
As alleged in documents filed and statements made in court, on November 12, 2023 at approximately 8:40 p.m., Arnold entered the Kohl’s store in the Town of Newburgh. Once inside, Arnold went to the men’s athletic department, selected numerous items whose value was approximately $1,600 and concealed the items in a black bag. Arnold then left the store, passing all points of sale without paying, got into a vehicle and fled. Employees from the store gave law enforcement a description of the car, which the police located with Arnold and the stolen merchandise inside. Before being apprehended, Arnold had taken steps to change his clothing that he had worn during commission of the crime in an effort to avoid detection.
District Attorney Hoovler thanked the Town of Newburgh Police Department for their investigation and the arrest of the defendant. District Attorney Hoovler also thanked the Orange County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance during the investigation.
“Unrepentant recidivists are the primary drivers of crime and incarceration is the appropriate sanction,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “Shoplifting is far from a victimless crime. Retail theft results not only in untold losses to businesses but creates difficult and often dangerous situations for workers and shoppers. My Office has committed to working with our partners in the retail industry, including the Orange County Chamber of Commerce, to enhance the ability to prevent retail crime where possible and to hold accountable those who commit these offenses. We will continue to pursue all avenues of disrupting such criminal behavior, particularly by prosecuting and, where appropriate, seeking incarceration for repeat offenders.”
District Attorney Hoovler highly commended Assistant District Attorney Emily Worden who prosecuted the case.
A criminal charge is merely an allegation by the police that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the State of New York’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
