Two Herkimer County men were arrested recently after they were caught red-handed stealing railroad spikes and spike plates from the Canadian Pacific Rail line in Richmondville, according to a statement from the New York State Police.
On Friday, May 31, state troopers responded to a report of a Pontiac driving east on the Canadian Pacific rail right-of-way near Raven Road. Arriving on the scene, troopers found one man loading railroad spike plates into the open trunk of a tan Pontiac Grand Am, and another man in the driver's seat. In the trunk, troopers found steel spike plates, spikes and J-hooks.
Arrested on the scene were 32-year-old Eric S. Markwardt of Dolgeville and 36-year-old Matthew E. Victor of Salisbury Center. Both men were charged with third-degree criminal trespass and petit larceny, both misdemeanors. They were released on appearance tickets for the Town of Richmondville Court.
