MIDDLETOWN, N.Y., Jan. 21 (UPI) -- A New York State man faces criminal charges for bulldozing the house he shared with his wife without telling her or getting the proper permits, police said.
James Rhein, 48, told WCBS-TV that the ranch-style house in Middletown is -- or was -- a "community asset." But real estate records show Rhein's wife, Diane Andryshak, is the sole owner, and police said she did not give permission to tear it down.
Steve Belfiglio said Rhein used a rented excavator Monday. His wife was at work.
"He bulldozed all her clothes in there. Washer, dryer, furnace, hot water heater, everything was still in there," Belfiglio said. "In fact, her medication was still in there."
Belfliglio called his former neighbor both a "nice guy" and a "loose cannon."
Rhein has already been charged with felony criminal mischief, and police said that is not likely to be the end of it. He was released on $300 bail Monday.
Police said that Rhein began taking down the house without arranging to have elecatricity, gas and water cut off. The officers who arrived at the scene to investigate a "hazardous condition" had to make the calls to Orange and Rockland Utilities and the city water department.
