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	Aretakis Accused of Stealing Attorney Allegedly Swiped Briefcase When Restraining Order Served By Carol DeMare cdemare@timesunion.com Times Union [Albany NY] September 18, 2005 NORTH GREENBUSH -- Attorney John Aretakis was arrested Friday night on charges he stole a process server's briefcase after an altercation earlier this month. Robert Wells was serving Aretakis a temporary restraining order obtained by Holy Cross Church in Albany when the incident occurred. "An argument ensued, and Mr. Aretakis reached through the back window of the (process server's) car and removed his briefcase and held it for a couple of days before he would return it," North Greenbush Police Chief Rocco Fragomeni said Saturday. At an arraignment before North Greenbush Town Justice Andrew Ceresia, Aretakis pleaded not guilty to harassment, a violation, and petit larceny, a misdemeanor. He was released on recognizance pending further court appearances. Aretakis did not return a call Saturday seeking comment. On Sept. 6, Holy Cross Church obtained a restraining order from state Supreme Court Justice Thomas J. Spargo. The order keeps Aretakis and members of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests 100 feet from church entrances during their demonstrations. The group has coordinated protests for the past 17 weeks, calling for the removal of the pastor on allegations he molested an altar boy 32 years ago. The priest, the Rev. Daniel J. Maher, was cleared earlier this month after a diocesan investigation, but the protests have continued. Albany attorney Michael Costello, who represents the church, hired Wells to serve the order on Aretakis. Wells was in Aretakis' neighborhood and saw that the attorney was avoiding going to his house, so he followed Aretakis to a school parking lot, Fragomeni said. As the two men confronted each other, Wells' wife, who was in the car, called 911, the chief said. The call was relayed to North Greenbush police who went to the parking lot and took a report. "We were under the belief, (the briefcase) had been returned right away," Fragomeni said, and Wells didn't didn't want to press charges. Police later learned it wasn't returned for two days, he said. Wells was upset because the briefcase contained privileged information and his work, including papers from attorneys involving other cases, Fragomeni said. After an investigation, police obtained an arrest warrant and called Aretakis to turn himself him. He was arrested shortly after 6 p.m. Friday when he showed up at the police station. He was arraigned an hour later. Carol DeMare can be reached at 454-5431 or by e-mail at cdemare@timesunion.com.
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