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Police received the first report around 11:50 a.m. Friday at the CVS pharmacy located on Albany Post Road, said Lt. Robert Benson.
According to an employee, the four men walked into the store and began filling up bags with merchandise. When fleeing the store, one of the men dropped a bag. Witnesses were able to provide a vehicle description to police who put out a BOLO in the surrounding area, Benson said.
The men identified as James Cogdell, 27, of New York City; Arturo Diaz, 26; Ruben Rivera, 30, and Robert Joyner, all of the Bronx, then drove to the RiteAid Pharmacy on Crum Elbow Road and committed the same crime again, police said.
Officers from the New York State Police, Dutchess County Sheriff's Office, and the Village of Rhinebeck Police helped search for the men.
Two Hyde Park officers located their vehicle on North Quaker Lane and detained all four men, Benson added.
All were charged with felony grand larceny, petit larceny, and conspiracy.
Cogdell, who refused to give his name was later identified and found to have an outstanding warrant from the MTA police, Benson said.
Detectives are looking into similar crimes in the area which have pending investigations.
The four men are being held at the Dutchess County Jail: Cogdell remanded on $15,000/$30,000 bail; Diaz $5,000/$10,000 bail; Rivera $20,000/$40,000 bail, and Joyner $5,000/$10,000 bail.
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