Alleged Rome smoke shop burglars detained in traffic stop, charged with burglary

ROME- During the month of April, the Rome Police Department and neighboring agencies have responded to numerous burglaries occurring at Smoke Shops throughout the area.

On April 27, 2026 at approximately 04:02 AM, the patrol division was dispatched to an alarm activation at the New Yorker’s Smoke Shop located at 833 Black River Boulevard.

Several minutes after the alarm activation, the patrol division observed a vehicle matching the suspect vehicle’s description traveling on South James Street and a subsequent traffic stop was conducted.

Two males were subsequently detained and transported to Rome Police Headquarters as a result.

Following an investigation by the detective division and juvenile aid division, one male, identified as 19-year-old Damian D. Bergman, of Whitesboro and a 17-year-old juvenile male, were charged with burglary in the third-degree.

Bergman was processed and held for arraignment in Rome City Court. The 17-year-old juvenile male was transported to Oneida County Court Youth Part in Utica for arraignment.

The burglary spree investigation remains ongoing and more charges may be filed as a result.

Rome City Police Department image.