Uncle, nephew charged with felony grand larceny for multiple thefts in Orleans, Niagara

Paul Rutherford Jr. allegedly has stolen $200,000 worth of property in 2024

Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office

Photos from Orleans County Sheriff’s Office

ALBION – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office announces the arrest of Paul Rutherford Jr., 51, and his nephew, Cori J. Rutherford, 27, following a lengthy investigation across multiple agencies.

In February the Rutherfords conspired with other persons whose names are being withheld at this time 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 is valued at over $102,000. The Rutherfords are alleged to have stolen this trailer during the early morning of Feb. 18 and in the same day transported it to Conover, North Carolina, receiving $4,000 in payment.

Paul Rutherford Jr. was additionally charged for his involvement of stealing 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, Sept. 20, following the unsealing of an indictment charging them.

Cori Rutherford was charged with Grand Larceny 2nd (C Felony) and released on his own recognizance.

Paul Rutherford Jr. was charged with two counts of Grand Larceny 2nd (C Felony), two counts of Grand Larceny 3rd (D Felony), Burglary 3rd (D Felony), Criminal Mischief 4th (A Misdemeanor) with bail set at $25,000 cash, $50,000 bond. Paul later posted bail and was released on the same day.

As part of this indictment the New York State Police have charged Paul Rutherford Jr. with a burglary and theft of diesel from Elder Trucking located in Waterport and theft of a F350 Farm Truck from Root Brother’s Farm in Barre.

Paul Rutherford Jr. has an extensive criminal history being arrested more than 28 times since 1988, and has been convicted of 4 felonies in New York State. He was previously arrested on Feb. 23, 2024 following an investigation by the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office for the theft of diesel fuel from area farms, and the theft of tools from another location.

Through interagency cooperation, investigators used resources such as video surveillance, license plate readers, cellular mapping, and other digital new era tools to establish Paul’s connection to crimes in Niagara and Orleans counties.

Paul Rutherford Jr. was arraigned in Niagara County on Sept. 19, 2024 following the unsealing of an indictment by Niagara County Court. He was charged in connection to the theft of a hydraulic hammer from the City of Lockport, and the theft of diesel and a F250 Farm Truck from the Town of Newfane.

Paul has been charged with 3 counts of Grand Larceny 3rd (D Felony), two counts of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 3rd (D Felony), two counts of Grand Larceny 4th (E Felony). He has posted bond in Niagara County relating to his Feb. 23 arrest, and that bail remained the same at the time of his arraignment.

Paul Rutherford Jr. charges allege he has stolen approximately $200,000 worth of property since January 2024 in 8 different cases, with the possibility of additional charges forthcoming.

Multiple agencies involved across the two counties include the Orleans and Niagara County Sheriff’s Offices, New York State Police Albion and Lockport Barracks, City of Lockport Police Department, 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.