Retired police chief whose guns were stolen could lose pistol permit

Former Saugerties Police Chief Gregory Hulbert could lose his pistol permit in the wake of two loaded handguns being stolen from his unlocked vehicle.

The current chief, Joseph Sinagra, said he has forwarded the matter to Ulster County Court for review.

In such matters, “we send Ulster County Court a letter advising that there was an incident involving handguns and that the person has a pistol permit,” Sinagra said. “We provide the court with the information, and then it is up to the courts to make a determination as to whether or not a suspension is in order, revocation or someone completely loses their

license. Or the court can say, based on the facts and circumstances,

it doesn’t jeopardize a person’s license.”

Sinagra said licensed gun owners are required to secure their weapons at all times.

A loaded .38-caliber semiautomatic

handgun and a loaded .38-caliber revolver, both of which were in a black Swiss Army backpack, were stolen late Dec. 20 or early Dec. 21 from Hulbert’s unlocked vehicle, which was

parked outside his home on Latham Circle in the village of Saugerties.

Additional ammunition, Hulbert’s police identification card and retired chief’s badge, his security ID card,

and a pistol permit also were in the stolen backpack.

Three people were arrested in the case the night of Dec. 22, and the stolen items were recovered.

Hulbert was a member of

the town of Saugerties Police Department for 30 years, became chief in 1991 and retired in 2008. The town and village of Saugerties had separate police departments at the time; they now have one.