The New York State Police announced the arrest of the following individuals in connection with a month-long investigation led by the NYSP Community Stabilization Unit into the theft and resale of government-owned military equipment. (New York State Police)
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Four people have been charged with stealing equipment from Central New York military bases and selling it on Facebook marketplace, the New York State Police said Monday.
The equipment was shipped to at least five states, troopers said. One ballistic vest was being reshipped to Russia, they said.
The investigation began after an account advertised the stolen equipment in a post on Facebook Marketplace last month, according to Trooper Jack Keller, a spokesperson for the State Police. The gear was not available to the general public, and some of it was sensitive in nature, he said.
Investigators determined the account was created by James Waleski of Jamesville, according to Keller. He is a civilian working for the U.S. Defense Department at the 174th Air National Guard Attack Wing, which is based on the military side of Syracuse Hancock, International Airport.
Waleski, 50, worked with two other people to steal the equipment, Keller said. They were identified as Gordon Reynolds, a military police officer; and Joriann Garcia-Hernandez, a unit supply specialist.
Troopers recovered thousands of dollars of military equipment from New York, Texas, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Florida, Keller said. They also got back a ballistic vest that was being reshipped to Russia.
Tens of thousands of dollars in additional gear was found at Waleski’s home, Keller said. It was stolen from the 174th Air National Guard Attack Wing and Army National Guard 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, both based in Syracuse, as well as the 272nd Army Military Police Detachment in Auburn.
Waleski was charged with second-degree grand larceny and unlawful sale of body armor, as well as 11 counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
He is being held in the Onondaga County Justice Center jail, records show. His bail was set at $20,000 cash or $100,000 bond.
Waleski’s wife, Jennifer Waleski, 40, was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. She appears to have been released from the county jail.
Reynolds, 44, was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, and two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He is being held in the Madison County Jail, records show.
Garcia-Hernandez, 38, of Rome, was charged with petit larceny, a misdemeanor.
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