Haverstraw, NY – A 39-year-old Haverstraw man has been arrested and charged in connection with a burglary at the Manny Lopez Municipal Ball Field after authorities said two pieces of power equipment were stolen from a building at the village-owned recreational facility.
The Haverstraw Police Department said officers responded to the Manny Lopez Baseball Field on Sunday, Aug. 23, following a report of a burglary. The field is located on Anthony J. Morina Drive in the Village of Haverstraw and is owned by the village.
According to police, investigators determined that someone had unlawfully entered a building on the property and removed two pieces of power equipment. Authorities have not publicly identified the specific types of equipment reported stolen or provided an estimated value for the items. Police also have not released details about how the building was entered or whether the equipment has been recovered.
As the investigation continued, police identified 39-year-old Haverstraw resident Robert Hernandez as a suspect in the case. Hernandez was arrested Wednesday, Aug. 26, three days after the burglary was reported.
Police charged Hernandez with burglary in the third degree and grand larceny in the fourth degree. Under New York law, third-degree burglary generally involves knowingly entering or remaining unlawfully in a building with the intent to commit a crime inside. Fourth-degree grand larceny covers several forms of felony-level theft under state law.
Following his arrest, Hernandez was arraigned in Village of Haverstraw Justice Court. He was then remanded to the Rockland County Correctional Facility, according to police.
The Manny Lopez Municipal Ball Field is one of the Village of Haverstraw’s recreational facilities and is used by recreational baseball and softball leagues, travel teams, school teams, tournaments and Haverstraw Little League. The ballpark was named in memory of Haverstraw resident and U.S. Army Corporal Manny Lopez.
The village lists the ball field at 1 Anthony J. Morina Way. Like other recreational properties maintained by the village, it serves as a community facility for residents and organized sports programs.
Police have not announced whether they believe anyone else was involved in the burglary. No additional arrests had been publicly reported as of Thursday, Aug. 27.
The arrest comes as local law enforcement continues its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the break-in and theft. Authorities have not released additional information about what led investigators to identify Hernandez as a suspect.
Hernandez has been accused of the crimes but has not been convicted. The charges against him are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.