ORLEANS COUNTY/Couple arrested after lengthy investigation in Orleans and Niagara County – Video News Service

Press release

The Orleans County Sheriff's Office announces the arrest of Paul Rutherford Jr. (51) and Cori J.
Rutherford (27) after a lengthy investigation by several authorities.

In February, the Rutherfords conspired with other individuals, whose names are currently being withheld, to steal an enclosed trailer from Lake Shore Metals in the town of Ridgeway. This trailer contained a type of roofing machine used to make metal panels and has a total value of over $102,000.

The Rutherfords are accused of stealing this trailer in the early hours of February.
18, 2024 and transported it to Conover, North Carolina, the same day, receiving $4,000 in payment.

Paul Rutherford Jr. was also charged with his involvement in the theft of diesel fuel, pumps,
Hoses and other equipment from Grow Mark FS Inc., located in the town of Ridgeway.

Both Rutherfords were arraigned in Orleans County Court on Friday, September 20, 2024.
after the indictment against them was released.

Cori Rutherford was charged with second-degree grand larceny (Felony C) and released on her own bail.

Paul Rutherford Jr. was charged with two counts of second-degree grand larceny (aggravated felony C), two counts of third-degree grand larceny (aggravated felony D), third-degree burglary (aggravated felony D), and fourth-degree criminal damage to property (misdemeanor A). He is being held on $25,000 cash bail and $50,000 bond. Paul later posted bail and was released the same day.

As part of this indictment, New York State Police have charged Paul Rutherford Jr. with burglary and theft of diesel from Elder Trucking in Waterport, NY, and theft of an F350 farm truck from Root Brother's Farm in Barre, NY.

Paul Rutherford Jr. has a long criminal past and has been arrested more than 28 times
since 1988 and was convicted of four felonies in New York State. Paul was previously
arrested on February 23, 2024 following an investigation by the Niagara County Sheriff's Office
Office for stealing diesel fuel from local farms and stealing tools from another
Location.

Through cooperation between agencies, investigators used resources such as video
Surveillance, license plate readers, cellular mapping and other new-era digital tools to
Connect Paul to crimes in Niagara and Orleans Counties.

Paul Rutherford Jr. was arraigned in Niagara County on September 19, 2024, following the release of an indictment by the Niagara County Court. Paul was charged in connection with the theft of a
Hydraulic hammer from the city of Lockport and the theft of diesel and an F250 farm truck
from the town of Newfane. Paul was charged with three counts of third degree grand larceny (D
Aggravated Felony), two counts of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the 3rd Degree (Aggravated Felony D), two counts of Grand Theft in the 4th Degree (Aggravated Felony E). Paul posted bail in Niagara County for his arrest on February 23, and that bail remained the same at the time of his arraignment.

The indictment against Paul Rutherford Jr. accuses him of stealing approximately $200,000 worth of property in eight separate cases since January 2024. More charges could follow. Multiple agencies are involved in both counties, including the Orleans and Niagara County Sheriff's Offices, the New York State Police Albion and Lockport Barracks, the City of Lockport Police Department, the Niagara Intelligence & Crime Analysis Center, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, the National Insurance Crime Bureau and the Catawba County Sheriff's Office in North Carolina.

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