Posted on 01/21/2015 12:14:17 PM PST by george76
A Middletown, New York man was arrested Monday on a charge of felony criminal mischief because he bulldozed his house, police say.
WNBC News reports police were called to the Middletown home Monday afternoon as 48-year-old James Rhein was knocking it down with a rented excavator and placing debris in dumpsters.
Police said Rhein hadnt filed for any demolition permits and hadnt even notified the utility companies of his intention to destroy the house. Emergency crews had to be called out Monday to shut off electric, water and gas to the property.
The one other party Rhein failed to notify was his wife, Diane Andryshak, who is the only legal owner of the house, according to records.
He bulldozed all her clothes in there. Washer, dryer, furnace, hot water heater, everything was still in there. In fact, her medication was still in there, neighbor Steve Belfiglio told CBS-New York.
The couple was reportedly living elsewhere, but many of their belongings were still inside. Rhein said the foundation of the house had been crumbling for years and needed costly repairs.
So I took it down, thats it, Rhein said.
When CBS-New York reporter Tony Aiello confronted Rhein about demolishing a house that wasnt legally his, Rhein seemed unconcerned.
(Excerpt) Read more at mynewspress.com ...
“It’s a little house...a little black house...I want to give her the surprise of her life.”~Jerky Boys.
Got it.
Broken home syndrome
I know a guy, who when divorce loomed, tossed all of his wife’s belongings into the driveway. But this episode seems unduly harsh.
Ain’t ‘love’ grand?
I wonder who is responsible to the bank? Was it paid? Out quite a bit of money, how long will that marriage last, now.
Yep it seems predictable that they had a huge fight when she discovered what he did..........
He could have gone BOOM and taken out half the street. Great guy.
That seems to be an act of hostility. Why would you do that to your wife, or someone you claim to care about? The other possibility is this guy has some manic issues and needs counseling, and a divorce lawyer.
Perhaps he should have only bulldozed his half?
She was in bed when he went to work...and she went out to do some errands. He got a dozer...and did what had to be done.
Much more to this I'm sure.
House is in her name probably for business reasons. All my wealthy clients do that.
He did not turn the gas off?
Holy Crap!
Man, those are incredible!!
I was stupid enough to buy a cold water heater. I bet I paid way more than it would have cost for a hot water heater.
Naw...He’s a contractor. Pay attention. He was operating a dozer. He knows how to turn them off.
“Howdy neighbor” ping.
This was... nearby to my location.
Gotta love good old Middletown NY.
Sorry...NY is a community property state.
The article says emergency crews turned the utilities off. If he could have done so and didn't, it's too bad he didn't generate a very localized Boom that just took him out, isn't it?
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