Stolen Rifle Recovered at Remote Delaware County Lake

Delaware County Sheriff’s officials say a Hancock man is accused of stealing a shotgun from a seasonal home that was recovered after authorities rowed a boat across a lake by the home.

Deputies say they were called in the afternoon of September 16 about what appeared to be forced entry to a remote camp off State Highway 268 in the Town of Tompkins.  There was also evidence that someone had been using the unoccupied camp and one or more firearms may have been taken. 

Authorities say they apprehended 33-year-old Edwin McGraw II that evening as they saw a flashlight beam moving through the forest toward the cabin and boathouse.  Deputies waited in the dark until the unsuspecting subject came right to them. 

The property care-taker and a Deputy later rowed a boat across the lake and recovered a loaded shotgun and paddleboat on the far shore of the lake. 

McGraw is charged with felony burglary and grand larceny of a fire arm as well as criminal mischief. 

He was sent to the Delaware County Jail on $5,000 bail. 

The Delaware Sheriff's office says potential evidence connected with an unrelated vandalism case in the Village of Hancock is currently being investigated by the New York State Police and Hancock Village Police.