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Cortlandt Man Charged With Stealing Andy Warhol Art From Dead Man

CORTLANDT MANOR, N.Y. --A Cortlandt Manor man faces multiple charges after police say he stole art by Andy Warhol from a man he found dead.

Hiram Noel Mendez, 35, of Cortlandt Manor faces multiple charges after New York State Police say he stole art from a man he found dead.

Hiram Noel Mendez, 35, of Cortlandt Manor faces multiple charges after New York State Police say he stole art from a man he found dead.

Photo Credit: New York State Police

Hiram Noel Mendez, 35, is being charged with second-degree burglary, petty larceny and obstruction of government administration, following a nearly five-month investigation, according to state police.

Mendez contacted state police on July 20 and said he found Ronald Cutrone dead at Cutrone's residence at 272 Lake Drive, state police said.

State Police allege that Mendez discovered Cutrone dead and left the residence before contacting authorities.  At some point, state police said, Mendez returned to the residence and stole several pieces of artwork before eventually calling 911 several hours later. 

Cutrone's death is not considered suspicious with the cause of death still pending toxicology results, state police said. 

Mendez was arraigned in the Putnam Valley Court by Judge Dicarlo and was remanded to the Putnam County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bail.  He is due to reappear back in the Putnam Valley Court on Thursday, Dec. 12 at noon.

Andy Warhol, who popularized visual art, died in 1987.

 Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact the state police at 914-737-7171.  All calls will be kept confidential.

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