Man Nabbed for ‘Borrowing’ More than Library Books

A woman visiting the Mahopac Library on a hot summer’s afternoon to enjoy some good reading in a cool environment found herself victimized when her purse was stolen.

Thanks to the efforts of library staff the pocketbook was recovered last week, however, a credit card and quantity of cash were missing.

Carmel Police Officer Laura Smith and Detective Joseph Lopiccolo investigated the incident and learned that a man had allegedly opened the purse that had been left unattended while the victim sought reading materials and after rifling through it removed the credit card and cash.

Lt. Brian Karst identified the suspect as Mario Cavaliere, 31, of Mahopac.

Cops further alleged that Cavaliere used the credit card to purchase gasoline at two area filling stations as well as unsuccessfully attempting to purchase merchandise at a business at the Jefferson Valley Mall.

Cavaliere was arrested 24 hours after the reported incident on felony charges of grand larceny. He was arraigned by Judge Joseph Spofford and was remanded to the Putnam Correctional Facility in lieu of $5,000 bail pending future court action.

District Attorney Adam Levy said the charge was a Class D felony carrying a maximum seven-year state prison term if found guilty. Karst has reminded the public never to leave “anything unattended, even for a few minutes in a public place. Unfortunately Mahopac and Putnam County are no longer the sleepy little communities they once were.”

— Eric Gross