Edward M. Bancroft, 31, of Angelica, was charged by the Livingston County Sheriff's Office with Burglary in the Second Degree (class C felony), Petit Larceny(class A misdemeanor) and Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree (class A misdemeanor).
The arrest comes after investigations by the Livingston County Sheriff's Office and the State Police stationed in Amity in regards to stolen ATV/UTV's, vehicles and farm equipment over the course of the past month. Bancroft was involved in a car chase with the State Police in the evening hours of July 10 in the Town of Ossian where he crashed the vehicle in a field off of Blank Hill Road. Bancroft ultimately fled on foot and was able to elude law enforcement.
On July 11th he was located and taken into custody by the members of the Livingston County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff's Office personnel from the Command Staff, Criminal Investigations Division and Patrol Division were in the Town of Ossian attempting to locate Bancroft when a resident called in a suspicious condition on Bonner Road.
The resident reported an open garage door at a residence which should not have been open.
Deputy Sheriffs found that forced entry had been made to the residence and Bancroft was found inside the residence.
Bancroft was taken into custody by Deputy Sheriffs without incident.
Investigator's Brad Schneider and Dan Rittenhouse, along with Sergeant Chad VanAuken and Deputy Devin Ricks handled the apprehension of Bancroft.
Bancroft was brought to the Livingston County Jail to await arraignment in the Central Arraignment Part as well as an arrest warrant for Burglary in the Third Degree from a previous incident. The District Attorney's Office was contacted for a bail recommendation due to the felony level charges and recommended bail at $50,000 cash or $100,000 bond.
Bancroft was later arraigned in CAP Court by Town of York Justice Thomas Porter. The Judge did remand Bancroft to the custody of the Sheriff on $100,000 cash or $200,000 bond. The Sheriff's Office continues to investigate other incidents believed to be linked to Bancroft and more charges are possible. The Sheriff’s Office also continues to work collaboratively with SP Amity. He has charges pending in Allegany, Steuben and Wyoming counties.
