Twin brothers accused of copper heist on top of old Huffman Koos building

ROCKLAND COUNTY TIMES

Talk about tricks of the trade. Kevin Hoyt, a 30-year-old who lists himself as vice president of Hoyt Building Maintenance Company in Congers, and his twin brother, Kenneth, are accused of felony criminal mischief and petit larceny for allegedly stealing copper piping from air conditioning units atop the former Huffman Koos building at 20 N. Middletown Rd., Nanuet.

According to police, the two men had been observed on the roof top of the vacant building on Friday. An investigation was conducted and it was determined that Kevin, a resident of Valley Cottage, and Kenneth, a resident of Nanuet, had climbed onto the roof using a ladder and dismantled several air conditioning units.

The air conditioning units were cut in such a way as to remove the copper piping found inside the unit. It is believed that the copper piping was then going to be traded in for cash at a scrap metal business. Police did not indicate how they determined the identity of the two men.

It is not clear if the brothers had previously done business at the property at 20 N. Middletown Rd. or if they had any motive aside from theft.

A charge of petit larceny indicates the copper piping in question is worth less than $1,000. Clarkstown police claim in the process of stealing less than $1,000 in copper, the brothers did over $50,000 in damage to the air conditioning units. Officers said the brothers were arrested just before 3 p.m. on Friday.

The Hoyts’  father is president of Hoyt Building Maintenance Company, which is listed in business directories as a roofing contracting firm. Kevin’s public profile on Facebook states he is a VP of the company since 2003.

The Hoyts brothers were both charged with criminal mischief in the second degree (felony), possession of burglar’s tools, petit larceny (both misdemeanors), and trespass (violation).

Kevin received $1,500 bail and Kenneth $4,500 bail. They were arraigned in Clarkstown Justice Court before Judge Ugell.