Caught: Company theft suspect turns himself in

Liverpool (WSYR-TV) - The hunt for a man accused of stealing thousands of dollars from his Liverpool employer was over just after our story on him aired. The Fugitive Task Force says Berlin Bautista surrendered to U.S. Marshals shortly after our story aired Tuesday.

Bautista was a transportation dispatch clerk for Dot Foods in Liverpool, keeping track of the travels and expenses of truck drivers.

According to investigators, Bautista would pad the expense accounts of truck drivers, make duplicate expense account cards, head to an ATM machine to withdraw money and put the money into his own bank account. Bautista is accused of making over $20 thousand in profits over a four month time period.

Bautista is facing charges of grand larceny and falsifying business records.

Previous story from June 22, 2009

Liverpool (WSYR-TV) - The hunt is on for a man accused of stealing thousands of dollars from his Liverpool employer.  The Fugitive Task Force could use some help in their search, so we're once again, we’re putting you on the case, by making Berlin Bautista the Fugitive of the Week.

As a transportation dispatch clerk for Dot Foods in Liverpool, the 31-year old Bautista kept track of the travels and expenses of truck drivers. It's the way he dealt with their expenses that put Bautista on the radar of the company and police.

According to investigators, Bautista would pad the expense accounts of truck drivers, make duplicate expense account cards, head to an ATM machine to withdraw money and put the money into his own bank account.

Bautista is accused of making over $20 thousand in profits over a four month time period. Sgt. Robert Conley, with the Fugitive Task Force says, “He tried to pin the blame on truck drivers who had the cards issued to them, when the money was going into his own account.”

As the investigation heated up, and records were being obtained Bautista took off.

He was living on Syracuse's North Side, and investigators are learning about his ties to New Jersey and Detroit.

The Fugitive Task Force is looking for anyone who has information on Batista's whereabouts, or any history on him. In April, Bautista was living on Highland Street in the city of Syracuse.

If he's caught, Bautista is facing charges of grand larceny and falsifying business records. He’s 5’ 5“ and weighs 150 pounds

If you have any information on where he could be living now, give the Fugitive Task Force a call at 473-7625.