Man charged in gas station burglaries

Florida— Town of Goshen Police have charged a Village of Florida resident in connection with a burglary of the the Exxon gas station at 296 Route 17A in Goshen. The incident began 10 a.m. Sunday when officers responded to an alarm from the gas station and found that it’s front window had been kicked in to gain entry into the store. The New York State Police were investigating a similar incident in the Village of Florida. Town of Goshen police officers Thomas Schweizer and Eric Ring located a subject, identified as Anthony R. Messika, 25, of 226 Country Club Drive in Florida, attempting to hide in the weeds along Route 17A near Industrial Drive. During questioning the officers observed lacerations on Messina’s hands and legs. Polcie said he also was in possession of several hundred dollars in lottery tickets, a hypodermic needle and an illegally possessed controlled substance. Messina was charged with third-degree burglary, fifth-degree criminal possession controlled substance and fourth-degree criminal mischief. Police said the criminal mischief charge resulted when Messina, while being transported to court, caused damage to the interior of a Town of Goshen police car. Meanwhile, State Police also charged Messina with an attempted break-in at the Valaro gas station in the Village of Florida. He was arraigned before Goshen Justice Thomas Cione and committed to the Orange County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.