A father and son are facing charges after New York State Police say they broke into a Theresa home, stole cash and jewelry, and then set the house on fire before troopers caught up with them riding bicycles nearby. Shannon M. Ayers, 47, and his son, Noah E.J. Ayers, 25, were taken into custody following the Nov. 4 fire at 36611 Route 46, according to investigators. Shannon faces arson and burglary charges; Noah faces burglary and a weapons charge.
Troopers responded shortly before 1 p.m. that Wednesday to the house fire, according to Syracuse.com. Witnesses told officers that two men had been seen riding bicycles near the scene, and troopers soon located Shannon and Noah Ayers nearby. State Police and Jefferson County fire investigators determined the fire had been intentionally set, the outlet reported.
State Police spokesperson Jennifer Jiron said the men entered the home and stole money, jewelry and other household items, per a news release cited by Syracuse.com. Jiron also said both men were carrying throwing stars when they were found, a detail state investigators flagged as significant because the weapons are illegal to possess in New York.
Charges Pile Up for Father and Son
Shannon Ayers was charged with third-degree burglary, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, fourth-degree arson and false personation, according to the same Syracuse.com report. The weapon charge against him was elevated due to a prior criminal conviction, according to a statement attributed to the New York State Police.
Noah Ayers was charged with third-degree burglary and criminal possession of a weapon, the Syracuse.com article notes. LocalSYR reported that the weapon count against the younger Ayers was specifically fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a detail the Syracuse.com account did not specify.
Burglary Under New York Law
Both men were arraigned in Jefferson County Centralized Arraignment Part Court, the Syracuse.com report states. Under New York Penal Law § 140.20, a person commits burglary in the third degree when they knowingly enter or remain unlawfully in a building with intent to commit a crime inside, according to the New York State Senate's published statute — a definition of the charge itself, not a determination of guilt in this case.
Shannon Ayers is being held at the Jefferson County Jail without bail following his arraignment, per the same account. Noah Ayers was released and ordered to appear in Theresa Town Court on Nov. 16, when the case is expected to continue moving through the court system.
