Following a series of events involving the removal and tampering of a GPS monitoring device, the Utica Police Department has taken action against an individual on active supervision.
In December 2023, the New York State Parole notified the Utica Police Department that an individual had removed his GPS monitoring device. Despite efforts to locate the device, its whereabouts remained unknown due to a depleted battery.
However, in late February 2024, road crews from the New York State Department of Transportation discovered the device near the Route 12 overpass close to Burrstone Rd. Examination of the device revealed signs of intentional tampering, including deliberate cutting.
As a result of these findings, Aaron Smith, 32, of Croghan NY, was located and charged with Criminal Mischief in the third degree by an investigator from the Utica Police Department Criminal Investigations Division, in collaboration with NYS Parole.