Camper's Gear Stolen At Alder Lake By Neighbors

HARDENBURG, NY — Forest Ranger Robert Stratton received a call Aug. 13 from DEC Central Dispatch about a possible larceny at Alder Lake in the Catskills. A camper reported his table, chairs, firewood, and food had been stolen during the previous two days when he left his campsite to tend to family business.

When the camper returned, he went to a neighboring campsite in the Balsam Lake Wild Forest to ask if they saw anyone take his things. While speaking to them, he saw his table and chairs, and when questioned, the neighbors told him they were borrowing them.

He then hiked to cell phone coverage and called 911 to report the incident.

At 9 p.m., Forest Ranger Stratton and New York State Police arrived. One of the campers denied taking any material from the complainant’s campsite in the initial interview, but upon further investigation, it was determined that the individual had taken firewood, food, and the table and chairs from the complainant.

Forest Ranger Stratton then issued the camper a ticket and evicted him from the campsite.