Westchester Man Arrested After Attempting to Sell Stolen $11,000 Geodes to Undercover Officer

Authorities in Westchester County confirmed Sunday that a New Rochelle man has been charged following a targeted theft of high-value geological specimens from the Rye Arts Center. The incident involved the removal of rare crystalline rocks that had been on public display.

Kyle Folkes, 27, was apprehended earlier this week after allegedly attempting to sell the stolen items to an undercover detective. The investigation began on March 25 when the City of Rye Police Department received a tip regarding a series of thefts from the center's outdoor garden.

Officials stated that a total of five geodes, valued at approximately $10,908, were reported missing during two separate incidents in February and late March. The recovered items were loaned to the center by a local resident and were considered prominent features of the facility's landscape.

The tip led investigators to a listing on Facebook Marketplace where the rare rocks were being offered for prices ranging from $750 to $4,500. Detectives noted that the descriptions in the online advertisements matched the unique characteristics of the missing specimens.

Undercover officers arranged a meeting with the seller at Harbor Island Park in Mamaroneck on Tuesday, March 31. The sting was coordinated between the City of Rye Police and the Village of Mamaroneck Police Department to ensure a safe recovery.

Upon arriving at the park at approximately noon, Folkes allegedly presented two of the stolen geodes to the undercover detective. Officers immediately moved in to take the suspect into custody once the stolen merchandise was positively identified at the scene.

Folkes has been officially charged with third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, which is classified as a Class D felony in New York. He was processed at the police station following the arrest and remains a subject of the ongoing investigation.

The suspect was recently arraigned in the Village of Mamaroneck Court and released on his own recognizance. He is scheduled to return to court on April 9 to face the felony charges related to the possession of the stolen minerals.

Police noted that while two of the geodes have been successfully recovered, the case remains open as they seek the remaining three specimens. Authorities are continuing to monitor online marketplaces for any additional listings related to the arts center theft.

This recovery comes as President Donald Trump's administration continues to advocate for increased federal support for local law enforcement to combat suburban property crimes. The administration has recently highlighted the importance of proactive policing in protecting community cultural assets.

The Rye Arts Center is currently reviewing its security protocols and surveillance coverage following the breach of its outdoor exhibit space. Local residents have expressed surprise at the brazen nature of the theft in the usually quiet suburban community.