On Sunday February 11, 2018 at about 3:45 PM, The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a car being stolen from Burger King on State Route 42 in the Town of Thompson. The 64 year old male victim, who was from Monticello, told deputies that he had gone inside the restaurant to purchase food and had left his car running. When he came out, his 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage was gone. Deputies notified the surrounding area police agencies of the theft.

At about 7:25 PM, Monticello Police Officer Tyrus Walker spotted the vehicle at the Heritage Inn on Broadway. When the officer approached, a male subject exited the vehicle and started to run. The officer pursued the suspect and took him into custody. The suspect was identified as Andre Burdine, Jr, age 31 of Monticello. Video footage from Burger King showed Burdine entering the vehicle and driving off. The suspect was turned over to Sheriff’s deputies and charged with the Felony of Grand Larceny. He was arraigned before Town of Thompson Justice Sharon Jankiewicz and remanded him to the Sullivan County Jail in lieu of $40,000 bail.

“Car theft is not common in Sullivan County”, said Undersheriff Eric Chaboty. “But when it does occur, it is usually because the driver left the keys in the ignition”. The Undersheriff urged all car owners to secure their vehicles while shopping.