Mayor’s reward leads to Granville bench thief ID

If you're passing along Granville’s rail trail there's a problem. Park benches which cost over $800 a piece have been stolen and the mayor isn't taking it sitting down.

GRANVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10) — If you're passing along Granville’s rail trail there's a problem. Park benches which cost over $800 a piece have been stolen and the mayor isn't taking it sitting down.

Deep into the backwoods of the D&H rail trail against the Vermont border, you’ll see an empty slab with only nuts and bolts. A bench should be there.

Granville Mayor Paul Labas: “Some of the bolts were removed and these things are anchored to concrete slabs which we did specifically for that reason,”

NEWS 10’s Zion Decoteau: “And they still got around it anyway?”

Labas: “Yep. Well, if you work hard enough at anything you're gonna win.”

Four benches in total were stolen—not good news if you're looking to rest your backside after a run. 

The mayor was so frustrated by this that he put up a $1,000 reward of his own money on social media. Within 24 hours a culprit was caught.

Labas: “We believe it was juveniles that were involved.”

NEWS10’s Zion Decoteau: “Multiple?”

Labas: “I believe so. It would be kind of hard for one person to do it on their own.”

As for consequences?

“I've been told by the police department that the benches, they've been recovered. They're supposed to be returned this afternoon and at least the parent has asked that the person who did it gets community service which we will definitely work with our court system to try to do” said Mayor Labas. 

86-year-old Fred Hackett was born and raised in Granville, living here all his life. 

“...The walk is for everybody and then somebody steals the benches. I don't understand that!” said Hackett. 

Overall Labas tells NEWS10 the purpose of these benches were for people to enjoy the beauty of Granville.

“We've planted some strawberry bushes next to them. We have fruit trees planted around next to them, just when they mature off so you can be able to sit around relax and take around and look at the beauty of our village” said Labas. 

As far as further theft prevention goes, the mayor says the village will be installing cameras and stepping up police patrols.