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Dutchess County Sheriff Kirk Imperati announced that law enforcement academy recruits successfully apprehended a package thief in Poughkeepsie. The incident occurred on Monday (December 22) at around 1:45 p.m. on Parker Avenue, where recruits were conducting a physical fitness test near the North Side Trail.
According to the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office, a resident approached the recruits to report a package theft from her front porch. The recruits quickly reviewed the Ring doorbell footage, which showed the suspect fleeing toward the trail. They immediately informed academy staff and began a search for the suspect.
The recruits located and detained the suspect shortly thereafter, recovering evidence connected to the theft along the trail. The stolen property, which included Christmas gifts for the victim’s children, was returned to the family. The suspect was handed over to the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department for further investigation.
Sheriff Imperati praised the recruits for their quick thinking and readiness to serve the community, noting their actions prevented a "real-life Grinch" from spoiling Christmas for a local family. Although the recruits are still months away from graduation, their response demonstrated their preparedness for law enforcement duties.