Dognapper pleads guilty to burglary

ALBANY COUNTY — Robert Genovese, who was arrested in October for stealing a dog in Guilderland and a truck in New Scotland, pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree burglary last week, according to the Albany County District Attorney’s Office.  The case against Randy Whitten, 42, with whom Genovese was arrested, is still pending, said Cecilia Logue, a spokeswoman for the district attorney.

Genovese, 30, of White Plains, broke into a house on Johnston Road in Guilderland and took a dog, which a neighbor reported to the police, according to the district attorney’s office.  “A neighbor witnessed a male exit the house with her neighbor’s dog in his arm,” says a release from the office.  “The neighbor called the police and reported the white van being driven by the suspects.”

State police followed the van to Voorheesville, where it did not stop for lights and sirens, but eventually pulled over, the release says.  Genovese then fled on foot and took a Chevrolet Silverado truck from its driveway.  The truck was stopped on Western Avenue in Guilderland and Genovese and Whitten were arrested.

Inside the van, police found a Kawasaki dirt bike that had been stolen in White Plains earlier the same day, the release says.  “The dog came out of the van and was later returned to the owner in Guilderland,” according to the release.

Genovese could face charges for the stolen bike in Westchester, but the charges in Albany County are for the stolen dog, Logue said.  There was “no explanation” given for why Genovese targeted the house on Johnston Road or stole the dog, she said.

He is facing 10 years in state prison and five years of parole when he is sentenced on Jan, 12, 2012.

For earlier coverage, go to www.AltamontEnterprise.com and look under archives for Oct. 27, 2011.

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