A Brocton man was arraigned Monday on a 35-count indictment handed down by a Chautauqua County Grand Jury involving burglaries at Amish residences.

District Attorney Jason Schmidt announced that 46-year-old Jarrett Sikes has charges that include 11 counts of second-degree burglary, nine counts of fourth-degree grand larceny, nine counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, two counts of third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, two counts of two counts of third-degree grand larceny and second-degree attempted burglary after a months-long investigation handled by the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office of 10 separate burglary incidents.

Beginning in July through September 2025, the Sheriff’s Office received multiple reports from individuals in Amish communities in the towns of Chautauqua, Portland and Sherman that their houses had been broken into and possessions stolen.

During the course of the investigation the Sheriff’s Office identified two suspects, Sikes and 56-year-old Melinda Pelayo of Dunkirk. Investigators with the Criminal Investigation Division identified items stolen included numerous firearms and personal items exceeding $1,000 in value. Investigators were able to recover some of the stolen items. Pelayo was charged with two counts of second-degree attempted burglary.

At the arraignment, county court Judge David Foley set bail on Sikes in the amount of $100,000 cash or $200,000 property bond. Pelayo was arraigned and Foley released her without bail. Both are scheduled for a discovery conference later.

The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division would like to thank the Sheriff’s Road Patrol Division, the Narcotics Investigation Division, the Chautauqua County District Attorney’s Office, the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Dunkirk Police Department, and Pennsylvania State Police for their assistance on the investigation.

Sikes and Pelayo were also among 10 people charged in December by Dunkirk city police officers following a coordinated investigation into a series of larcenies committed at local cemeteries. Beginning in October, the Dunkirk Police Department received a report of thefts involving a large number of bronze vases and other grave markers taken from gravesites at Willowbrook Cemetery in the city of Dunkirk. Upon further investigation, it was learned that a similar incident had occurred in the town of Dunkirk. Due to the location and nature of the incidents, the department partnered with the New York State Police to conduct a joint investigation.

Through coordinated investigative efforts, officers and investigators identified multiple suspects believed to be responsible for the thefts. As a result, 10 individuals were charged with various offenses related to larceny and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, a felony.