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Accused serial car thief struck in NYC more than a dozen times since December — but remains free without bail
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Halbert Burke, a 58-year-old career criminal, has been arrested multiple times for stealing work vans, with a total of 12 vehicle thefts since December alone. Despite having a lengthy criminal history—60 arrests since 1990, including 11 convictions since 2017—Burke remains on the streets due to New York's bail reform laws implemented in 2019, which limit bail for many offenses, including grand larceny.
Burke's crime spree began on December 22, when he stole a truck and has continued with several arrests, including instances where he outright admitted to taking vehicles for "joyrides." Even after several arrests and charges that include felony counts, Burke has often been released without bail, leading to frustration among law enforcement officials.
He currently has five open cases but continues to evade longer jail time due to the state’s lenient bail policies. Burke's legal issues have exhausted district attorneys, who are often left charging him with lesser misdemeanors due to these reform laws.
Accused serial car thief struck in NYC more than a dozen times since December — but remains free without bail
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