Posted on: April 14, 2026 08:00 PM

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Two arrested at former somers IBM complex one faces felony weapons and burglary charges

On April 11, 2026, at approximately 1:00 p.m., New York State Police in Somers, along with the Town of Somers Police Department, were dispatched to the area of Ridge Way for a report of several vehicles parked on the shoulder of the roadway. Based on previous incidents, it was believed the vehicles belonged to individuals trespassing on the adjacent former IBM complex.

 

New York State Police uniform members and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) in Somers entered the property and began canvassing the exterior parking lots. Shortly thereafter, two individuals were detained and identified as Violette O. Nidds, 24, of Ridgewood, New Jersey, and Benjamin F. Volino, 25, of Mahwah, New Jersey. Volino was observed carrying a large crowbar.

During the arrest, Volino was found to be in possession of a loaded 9mm firearm. He was also in possession of property taken from the location, including a Sony camera and a large power strip.

Nidds was charged with Criminal Trespass 3rd , a class B misdemeanor. She was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Town of Somers Court on April 13, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

Volino was charged with:

Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree (loaded firearm outside of home or business), a class C felony

Burglary in the 2nd Degree (armed with a deadly weapon), a class C felony

Two counts of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the 5th Degree, class A misdemeanors

Possession of Burglar’s Tools, a class A misdemeanor

Volino was arraigned in the Town of Somers Court and remanded to the Westchester County Jail in lieu of $7,500 cash, $25,000 bond, or a $15,000 partially secured surety bond. He is scheduled to reappear in the Town of Somers Court on April 13, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

In addition to the legal consequences, these locations are inherently dangerous. Many abandoned buildings are structurally compromised and may contain hazardous materials, open shafts, exposed wiring, or other unsafe conditions that can result in serious injury or death.

From NYSP