NEW HAMPTON – A reported armed robbery of the Adult World Boutique on Route 17M in New Hampton turned out to be a cover for a previous embezzlement of cash by the clerk who had originally called 911, State Police said.
Around 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 18, troopers responded to a reported armed robbery at the store where the clerk indicated two men entered armed with handguns while demanding cash. They were said to have made off with some $2,800.
They were caught a short time later on Route 17M in Goshen.
Further investigation by the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation determined the clerk, Venessa Mirabel, 47, of Middletown, had been stealing cash from the business over the past month.
A plan was hatched with three accomplices to stage a robbery of the store to hide the thefts.
Anthony Williams, 22, Jesse Hocutt, 32, and Sabrina Williams, 25, all of Hurleyville, were arrested. All four were charged with grand larceny and conspiracy. Mirabel was also charged with providing a false written statement.
All are in the Orange County Jail in lieu of bail.
The investigation is continuing and additional charges are expected, police said.
