Press release
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office announces the arrest of Paul Rutherford Jr. (51) and Cori J.
Rutherford (27) following a lengthy investigation across multiple agencies.
In February, the Rutherfords conspired with other persons, whose names are being withheld at this time, to steal an enclosed trailer from Lake Shore Metals in the Town of Ridgeway. This trailer contained a type of roofing machine used to make metal panels, and in total is valued at over $102,000.
The Rutherfords are alleged to have stolen this trailer during the early morning of February
18th, 2024, and in the same day transported it to Conover, North Carolina, receiving $4,000 in payment.
Paul Rutherford Jr. was additionally charged for his involvement in stealing diesel fuel, pumps,
hoses and other equipment from Grow Mark FS Inc. located in the Town of Ridgeway.
Both Rutherfords were arraigned in Orleans County Court on Friday September 20th, 2024,
following the unsealing of an indictment charging them.
Cori Rutherford was charged with Grand Larceny 2nd degree (C Felony) and released on his own recognizance.
Paul Rutherford Jr. was charged with two counts of Grand Larceny 2nd degree (C Felony), two counts of Grand Larceny 3rd degree (D Felony), Burglary 3rd degree (D Felony), Criminal Mischief 4th degree (A Misdemeanor). He is being held on $25,000 cash $50,000 bond. Paul later posted bail and was released on the same day.
As part of this indictment, the New York State Police have charged Paul Rutherford Jr. with a burglary and theft of diesel from Elder Trucking located in Waterport, NY, and theft of a F350 Farm Truck from Root Brother’s Farm in Barre, NY.
Paul Rutherford Jr. has an extensive criminal history being arrested more than 28 times
since 1988 and has been convicted of 4 felonies in New York State. Paul was previously
arrested on February 23rd, 2024, following an investigation by the Niagara County Sheriff’s
Office for the theft of Diesel Fuel from area farms, and the theft of tools from another
location.
Through interagency cooperation, investigators used resources such as video
surveillance, license plate readers, cellular mapping, and other digital new era tools to
establish Paul’s connection to crimes in Niagara and Orleans Counties.
Paul Rutherford Jr. was arraigned in Niagara County on September 19th, 2024, following the unsealing of an indictment by Niagara County Court. Paul was charged in connection to the theft of a
hydraulic hammer from the City of Lockport, and the theft of diesel and a F250 Farm Truck
from the Town of Newfane. Paul has been charged with 3 counts of Grand Larceny 3rd degree (D
Felony), two counts of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 3rd (D Felony), two counts of Grand Larceny 4th (E Felony). Paul has posted bond in Niagara County relating to his February 23rd arrest, and that bail remained the same at the time of his arraignment.
Paul Rutherford Jr. charges allege he has stolen approximately $200,000 worth of property since January 2024 in 8 different cases, with the possibility of additional charges forthcoming. Multiple agencies involved across the two counties include the Orleans and Niagara County Sheriff’s Offices, New York State Police Albion and Lockport Barracks, City of Lockport Police Department, Niagara Intelligence & Crime Analysis Center, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, the National Insurance Crime Bureau, and the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina.
Their.mother.must be so proud