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David Degrasse, a 59-year-old man from West Warwick, Rhode Island, has agreed to a plea deal after admitting to a series of ATM thefts across the northeast United States, including in Catskill. Earlier this week, Degrasse pleaded guilty in Federal Court in Albany to interstate transportation of stolen property. He confessed to sawing into an ATM at a Catskill restaurant in April 2023, stealing approximately $9,300, and transporting the money out of New York.
Degrasse's crime spree spanned multiple states, including New York, Massachusetts, and Kentucky, where he stole a total of more than $55,000 from six ATMs. As part of the plea agreement, Degrasse has agreed to forfeit the $9,300 from the Catskill theft and pay restitution. He also admitted to cutting alarm wires at a convenience store in Hillsdale, New York, before abandoning that attempt to target the Catskill location.
Acting U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated, "David Degrasse’s multi-state crime spree is over. His arrest and prosecution should put an end to his despicable targeting and burglarizing of small businesses." Degrasse faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. He is currently in custody, awaiting sentencing scheduled for November.
The case was investigated by the FBI and New York State Police, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner prosecuting. FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli emphasized the commitment to holding criminals accountable, stating, "Mr. Degrasse’s arrest should send a clear message that the FBI will work diligently with our law enforcement partners to investigate and hold accountable any criminal who decides to target our small businesses for their own personal gain."