Gas station burglary investigation results in felony arrest of Avon man following Livingston County probe

Livingston County, New York – A reported break-in at a Livingston County gas station has led to felony charges against an Avon man following a weeks-long investigation by local law enforcement. Authorities say the incident occurred in the early morning hours just before the Christmas holiday, prompting a swift response and a detailed follow-up inquiry.

According to the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to the Quicklee’s gas station in the Town of Avon at approximately 6:51 a.m. on Wednesday, December 24, 2025. The call came in after employees discovered signs of a burglary inside the business. Investigators determined that someone had entered the store and taken multiple cartons of cigarettes before leaving the scene in a vehicle.

Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty stated that the case was immediately assigned to investigators, who began reviewing evidence and gathering information related to the break-in. Surveillance footage, physical evidence, and witness accounts were among the tools used to piece together what happened inside the store during the burglary.

Read also: Penfield Public Library celebrates nearly 84 years of community service with a special Free Books Club tote bag giveaway

As the investigation progressed, authorities allege that 65-year-old Edward Perdue, a Monroe County resident, entered the gas station along with another individual and removed property from the business while inside. The value of the stolen items and the damage caused during the incident elevated the case to felony-level charges, according to officials.

On Thursday, January 15, 2026, Sheriff’s investigators Ross Gerace and Michael Wade arrested Perdue in connection with the burglary. He was charged with felony burglary in the third degree, felony grand larceny in the third degree, possession of burglar’s tools, and criminal mischief in the fourth degree. The charges reflect both the alleged theft and the damage caused to the property during the incident.

Following his arrest, Perdue was transported to the Livingston County Jail, where he was processed and held for pre-arraignment detention. He was later arraigned at the Livingston County Centralized Arraignment Part, known as LC-CAP, which is located at the county jail. The arraignment was conducted before Town of York Justice Koch.

During the court appearance, the Livingston County Public Defender’s Office represented Perdue, while the Livingston County District Attorney’s Office appeared on behalf of the prosecution. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the judge ordered Perdue remanded to custody without bail. The decision was based on allegations that Perdue has two or more prior felony convictions, which played a role in the court’s determination.

Read also: Greater Rochester shines a spotlight on the 2026 ATHENA Young Professional Award finalists shaping the region’s future

The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office noted that multiple units assisted in the investigation, including the Patrol Division and the Forensic Identification Unit. Officials credited the coordinated effort of deputies and investigators for bringing the case forward and identifying a suspect in the weeks following the burglary.

Authorities emphasized that all charges filed against Perdue are accusations at this stage of the legal process. As with all criminal cases, he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

The case remains under the jurisdiction of the Livingston County court system, and no further details about the alleged second individual involved in the burglary have been released. The Sheriff’s Office continues to encourage businesses to report suspicious activity promptly, noting that timely calls can play a crucial role in successful investigations.