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PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release on August 21, 2007
Contact: William J. Smith (718) 556-7150
William.Smith@rcda.nyc.gov
D.A. Donovan: “Handyman”
Indicted in Series of Burglaries on North Shore of Staten Island
*** Ronald Fanelli, 36, Charged With 21 Counts
Alleging Burglaries of Homes, Businesses in Spring & Early Summer
2007***
STATEN ISLAND, NY – Richmond County District Attorney Daniel M. Donovan, Jr. today announced that a Staten Island man has been named in a 21 count indictment alleging that he burglarized at least 6 homes and businesses on the North Shore of Staten Island after advertising as a “handyman” in a local edition of the Marketeer publication to make acquaintances with the property owners.
The indictment accuses Ronald Fanelli, (DOB:4/30/1971) of Husson Street, with the following charges: 5 counts of Burglary in the 2nd degree, a class C felony, 1 count of Burglary in the 3rd degree, a class D felony, 1 count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 3rd degree, a class D felony, 1 count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the 3rd degree, a class D felony, 2 counts of Grand Larceny in the 4th degree, a class E felony, 4 counts each of Criminal Mischief on the 4th degree and Petit Larceny, class A misdemeanors, as well as one misdemeanor count each of Possession of Burglar’s Tools, Issuing a Bad Check, and Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Revoked or Suspended License. The top count of the indictment, Burglary in the 2nd degree, carries a top penalty of up to 15 years in prison. The defendant is scheduled to be arraigned on the indictment in State Supreme Court on August 29, 2007.
District Attorney Donovan stated, “This indictment alleges that Ronald Fanelli, on several occasions, betrayed the trust that these victims placed in him as a handyman to assist them in their home repair needs. Never did they think that trust would be violated by the defendant burglarizing their homes or businesses.”
The indictment alleges that:
• After agreeing to perform work for a homeowner at Cunard Place on September 28, 2006, the defendant never performed the contracted work but returned on June 5, 2007 and allegedly burglarized the home, stealing a laptop computer.
• On May 16, 2007 the defendant issued a bad check in the amount of $260 to a resident on Chestnut Avenue.
• On May 26, 2006 the defendant is alleged to have burglarized them home and stole property including keys to a dry cleaning business owned by the homeowner, located at 432 Forest Avenue, which he later burglarized.• On June 2, 2007, the defendant is alleged to have burglarized a home on Clinton B. Fiske Avenue, stealing jewelry and over $1,100 in cash.
• On June 21, 2007 it is alleged that the defendant burglarized a home on Waters Avenue, stealing $50.• On June 23, 2007 it is alleged that the defendant burglarized a home on Hunter Avenue, stealing approximately $10,000 in jewelry.
The defendant was arrested on June 30, 2007 following a car stop when a vehicle he was operating had a defective taillight. He was found to be in possession of a gravity knife and driving with a suspended or revoked license. He has been held on $20,000 bail since his arraignment on July 1, 2007.
The case against Ronald Fanelli is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Adam Silberlight of the Supreme Court Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Paul A. Capofari, Bureau Chief. Ronald Fanelli is represented by William Leykam, Esq.
The public is reminded than an indictment is merely an accusation, and that a defendant is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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