2 New Jersey residents charged in break‑in at long‑abandoned IBM site in Somers
New York State Police said troopers spotted several parked cars along Ridge Way Saturday afternoon, which runs next to the abandoned complex.
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Two people from New Jersey have been arrested after allegedly breaking into the former IBM complex in Somers, a site police say has become a growing target due to a social media trend.
New York State Police said troopers spotted several parked cars along Ridge Way Saturday afternoon, which runs next to the abandoned complex.
After searching the property, investigators said they located 24‑year‑old Violette Nidds and 25‑year‑old Benjamin Volino.
Police said the two were found in possession of a crowbar and stolen property taken from inside the building.
Investigators said Volino was also found with a 9‑millimeter handgun.
Nidds was charged with criminal trespass and issued a ticket.
Volino faces multiple felony charges, including criminal possession of a weapon and second‑degree burglary while armed with a deadly weapon.
He was arraigned in Somers Town Court and remanded to the Westchester County Jail.
Both are due back in court later this week.
Police said the former IBM complex has drawn trespassers because of social media videos showing people breaking into abandoned locations to explore and film content.
New York State Police Captain John Shaugnessy warned the behavior is not only illegal, but dangerous.
“There are a lot of hazards inside that facility,” Shaugnessy said. “Stairways, electrical issues, and other dangers that could cause serious injury or even death.”
Authorities said more than two dozen arrests have been made in recent weeks related to break‑ins at the site, which has been vacant for more than a decade.
Eight people were arrested March 30, the same day a fire was reported inside the abandoned complex.
