Arrested with Trailer Stolen from East Ramapo

Jose Deleon-Cotto of the Bronx faces felony charges as a result of a traffic stop conducted on Middletown Road in Nanuet at 10 p.m. Feb. 20.

A Clarkstown Police officer on patrol spotted a truck and trailer exiting a new business construction area with a mini excavator on the trailer. The trailer had no brake lights -- so the officer conducted a traffic stop.

After investigating, police concluded the trailer had been stolen from the East Ramapo School District. Its value was estimated to be $5,000.

The truck, trailer and excavator were towed to a police facility. This investigation will continue to determine if the mini excavator being transported on the trailer was in fact being stolen as well, police said.

Deleon-Cotto, 52, was arrested and transported to police headquarters for processing. He was charged with criminal possession stolen property 3rd (felony), possession of a forged instrument 2nd (felony) and numerous traffic infractions. He was arraigned in Clarkstown Court and was held on $15,000 bail. Deleon-Cotto is due back in court Feb. 22.