Missing items from your car? Deputies make arrest connected to thefts from vehicles

ITHACA, N.Y. — The Tompkins County Sheriff's Office says it has arrested an Ithaca man found in possession of stolen property. Additionally, the sheriff's office said that some items "consistent with items generally kept inside of one's vehicle" have not been traced back to their owners and is asking the community if anyone is missing items from their vehicles.

On Thursday, Feb. 28, the sheriff's office charged Stefan M. Whittenburg, 33, of Ithaca, with two counts of criminal possession of stolen property, a misdemeanor. The sheriff's office said the arrest stems from an investigation a few days earlier when Whittenburg was charged with possession of a controlled substance. During that investigation, deputies said they located items they suspected were stolen. From cases already reported and tracking down some property owners, "deputies confirmed their suspicion that these items were stolen."

However, some items have not been traced back to their rightful owners, the sheriff's office said. If anyone is possibly missing items from their vehicle, they are encouraged to contact the Tompkins County Sheriff's Office. The thefts would have likely occurred in the past 10 days in the Village of Lansing area, the sheriff's office said.