NJ Pair Arrested At Abandoned IBM Complex; 1 Faces Felony Weapons, Burglary Charges

SOMERS, NY — A few weeks ago, state police warned that trespassing in abandoned buildings is both dangerous and illegal — it seems not everyone got the message.

The New York State Police say that on Saturday, around 1 p.m., troopers from Somers, along with the Town of Somers Police Department, responded to the area of Ridge Way after receiving a report about several vehicles parked on the shoulder of the road.

State police say that due to previous incidents near the former IBM complex nearby, it was believed that the vehicles belonged to trespassers.

NYSP uniform members and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Somers entered the property and also began searching the parking lots.

They soon detained 24-year-old Violette O. Nidds, of Ridgewood, New Jersey, and 25-year-old Benjamin F. Volino, of Mahwah, New Jersey.

Police say that Volino was carrying a large crowbar. During the arrest, he was also found to be in possession of a loaded 9mm firearm, and stolen property from the location, including a Sony camera and a large power strip, according to cops.

Nidds was charged with misdemeanor third-degree criminal trespass, and is due back in the Town of Somers Court on April 13.

Volino was charged with felony second-degree criminal possession of a weapon (loaded firearm outside of home or business); felony second-degree burglary (armed with a deadly weapon); two misdemeanor counts of fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property; and misdemeanor possession of burglar's tools.

He was arraigned in the Town of Somers Court and remanded to the Westchester County Jail in lieu of $7,500 cash, $25,000 bond, or a $15,000 partially secured surety bond. Volino is scheduled to reappear in the Town of Somers Court on April 13.

The New York State Police is urging the public to stay out of such properties, saying that "our priority is to protect public safety while enforcing the law and preventing avoidable incidents."

"In addition to the legal consequences, these locations are inherently dangerous," NYSP warned. "Many abandoned buildings are structurally compromised and may contain hazardous materials, open shafts, exposed wiring, or other unsafe conditions that can result in serious injury or death."