Police: Theft of Christmas Lights Leads to Drug Charge in Port Chester

An investigation into a report of stolen Christmas lights led to a Port Chester man being arrested on drug and theft charges, according to Port Chester police.

Police said Ricardo Rodriguez, 60, of 45 Traverse Ave., Port Chester, was arrested after a 8:51 p.m. incident Friday at Walgreens in Port Chester. Store workers complained that someone had stolen five boxes of Christmas lights worth $80 from the store and then fled on nearby Abendroth Avenue.

As a Port Chester police officer was filling out a report about the incident, he spotted a man nearby who matched the description of the person involved in the shoplifting incident. Police said Rodriguez was stopped for questioning in the area of Abendroth Avenue and Westchester Avenue, and that Rodriguez had five boxes of Christmas lights.

During the investigation, police said Rodriguez was found to have a bag containing 19 smaller packages of cocaine. Rodriguez was charged with fifth-degree and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and petty larceny.

Rodriguez faces a hearing in Port Chester Village Court.