A 46-year-old St. Lawrence County man is facing felony charges after allegedly stealing a construction excavator and abandoning it across the Canadian border.
According to New York State Police, Darin Collins of Winthrop was charged Friday with third-degree grand larceny, a felony involving property valued at more than $3,000.
Troopers say the investigation began on Oct. 9, 2025, when they were called to a worksite on County Route 48 in the Town of Stockholm for a report of a stolen excavator. Investigators determined that a Komatsu excavator had been taken from the site.
The equipment was fitted with a GPS tracking system, but the signal was lost later that evening. Police later located the excavator on the Canadian side of the Akwesasne Indian Reservation and coordinated with tribal police during the investigation.
Authorities say the investigation led them to Collins, who allegedly stole the excavator and left it in Quebec, Canada.
An arrest warrant was issued, and Collins was taken into custody. He was transported to State Police in Massena for processing and later arraigned in Town of Louisville Court.
Police say Collins was remanded to the St. Lawrence County Jail without bail. Further court proceedings are pending.
No additional details were released.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
