Guest at Wedding Arrested for Stealing from Purses During Reception

A Yonkers woman was arrested Saturday on a felony larceny charge after guests at a wedding called the police and accused the woman of stealing credit cards, cash, make-up and a cell phone from their purses during the reception. The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office received the complaint regarding the thefts at about 10 p.m. Oct. 22.

Deputy John Cihanek responded to the Lake Peekskill Community Center, where the reception was being held,  to conduct the initial investigation. Upon his arrival, Deputy Cihanek was met by guests attending the party who pointed out a woman whom they suspected of being responsible for the thefts.  

 The case was referred to Investigators James Babcock and John Alfano of the Sheriff’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation.  Their investigation resulted in the recovery of the stolen items and the arrest of 54 year-old Elsa Rivera of 33 Lockwood Avenue, Yonkers.  She was charged with Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a class “E” felony.  Rivera was arraigned before Putnam Valley Town Justice Gina Capone and remanded to the Putnam County Correctional Facility in lieu of $15,000 cash bail. 

After consulting with the Putnam County District Attorney’s Office, Investigator Babcock will lodge nine additional counts of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree and two counts of Petit Larceny, a class “A” misdemeanor against Rivera.

If convicted of any count of the Grand Larceny charge, Rivera may be sentenced to a term of incarceration for up to four years in a New York State correctional facility as determined by a court.