Investigation of Gun Theft Leads To Felony Charges

LIMA: Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty reports the arrest of two individuals on felony charges after Sheriff’s Deputies investigated a stolen handgun.  On December 7, 2018 a Lima resident on Community Drive in the Village of Lima requested that a Sheriff’s Deputy respond out to investigate the theft of a pistol from their vehicle.

Deputies with the Patrol Division, as well as an Investigator with the Criminal Investigations Division, responded to the residence and launched an investigation into the matter. Through investigation, two suspects were identified in the theft; 23 year old Michael A. Ely from
Palmyra, NY and 21 year old Bernard D. O’Grady from Bloomfield, NY.

Further investigation by Sheriff’s Investigators led to the arrest of both Ely and O’Grady. On December 13, 2018 Investigator Daniel Rittenhouse arrested and charged Michael Ely with felony Grand Larceny in the 4th Degree and felony Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree. On December 14, 2018 Investigator Dan Rittenhouse arrested and charged Bernard O’Grady with felony Grand Larceny in the 4th degree.

Following their arrests, both Ely and O’Grady were turned over to Central Booking Deputies at the Livingston County Jail for processing and pre-arraignment detention. The District Attorney’s Office was contacted in regards to bail due to the felony level charges. It was recommended that the Judge hold Ely on $7,500 cash bail or $15,000 bond and O’Grady be held on $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 bond.
Both were later arraigned at the Livingston County Centralized Arraignment Part (LC-CAP) at the Livingston County Jail before Town of Caledonia Justice Kyle MacKay. The Judge remanded both Ely and O’Grady to the custody of the Sheriff on the recommended bail.
The gun has not been recovered and the investigation continues.