Above: Alleged serial hiking trail car burglars Donna A. Nollner and Billy D. Ganoe Jr. Photo provided by the New York State Police.
A man and a woman who allegedly specialize in robbing empty vehicles parked next to Catskills hiking trails have been arrested, according to a State Police press release.
Billy D. Ganoe Jr., a 35-year-old from West Hurley, and Donna A. Nollner, a 40-year-old from Kingston, were stopped in Saugerties on Wednesday as part of a search for burglars who had broken into cars parked that day along Rte. 23A in Hunter. According to the press release, the pair reportedly had the contents of some of the victims cars in their car, as well as some heroin.
The State Police are blaming Ganoe and Nollner for break-ins at hiking trails over the past six months that followed a similar pattern: A window was broken and items from inside the car were stolen through it.
The Times Herald-Record is reporting that Ganoe is an ex-con, and that the police found the pair after they tried to break into an occupied car:
The rash of thefts began in the Hurley and Marbletown rail trail parking lots, Kusminsky said. Police said they received a major tip when Ganoe tried to break into an occupied car — the occupants saw Ganoe's face and got his license plate number.
Ganoe was imprisoned from 1994-96 on a burglary conviction, and again from 2005 to 2009 on a criminal possession of stolen property conviction.
The full press release is below:
S Kingston - Car Larcenies at Hiking Trails
On 06/01/11, The New York State Police at Kingston arrested BILLY D. GANOE JR., age 35, 20 Fairview Ave., West Hurley, N.Y. and DONNA A. NOLLNER, age 40, 55 Cedar St. Apt B, Kingston, N.Y. as a result of a lengthy investigation into numerous larcenies from vehicles in Ulster, Dutchess and Greene Counties.
GANOE and NOLLNER were stopped on RT 212 in the Town of Saugerties shortly after several vehicles were broken into on Rt 23A in the Town of Hunter. They were found in possession of some of the proceeds from the thefts as well as a small amount of heroin.
GANOE was charged with Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 4th, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 5th, Criminal Possession of a controlled Substance 7th, and Criminal Possession of a Hypodermic Instrument. NOLLNER was charged with Criminal Possession of Stolen property 4th, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 5th, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th and Criminal Possession of a Hypodermic Instrument.
GANOE was arraigned before T/J Wendy Ricks, T/Saugerties Court and was remanded to the Ulster County jail with no bail. NOLLNER was issued appearance tickets to appear in the T/Saugerties Court on 06/08/11.
The State Police are continuing this investigation in conjunction with The Town of Hunter Police Dept, The Town of Ulster Police Dept, The City of Kingston Police Dept, The NYC DEP Police, The Town of Woodstock Police Dept, Town of Hyde Park Police, The New York State Park Police and The Town of Rosendale Police Dept. Further charges are pending.
GANOE and NOLLNER are suspected in the forcible entry of numerous vehicles parked at area walking and hiking trails over the past six months. In most cases a vehicle window was broken and personal belongings were taken from within.
Anyone with possible related information is asked to contact State Police at 845-338-1702.
