Woodstock Police Chief Robbie Blish says an arrest of a young Woodstock male was made yesterday after a three night run of car thefts last week.
The 19 year-old is said to have confessed to taking property from unlocked cars in Woodstock. The name of the alleged burglar is known to several of the high school aged victims who helped turn him in and is now public record. However, Blish asked that the name not be released pending further investigation of possible “accessories” in the crime spree. Some of the associates identified by police have already been willing to “give up” information and work with police. Blish says it’s important that others not be tipped off to the alleged ringleader’s arrest.
Hartford Police and Vermont State Police are also following leads and continuing a related investigation into car burglaries in Quechee and Barnard.
Some property taken from Woodstock residents last week has been recovered although Blish says it still needs to be photographed and cataloged as evidence. It can only be officially “released” back to its owners by the Windsor County prosecutor. Among items reported missing included Ipods, police radar detectors, car keys, wallets, purses, sunglasses and prescription drugs.
One victim’s family was told they could get their property back yesterday but then was told it wasn’t yet available to them. It’s not known how many pieces of property have been recovered. Victims may follow up with Woodstock Police.
The Woodstock youth has been charged with burglary — technically grand larceny — which is a felony.
Police again ask Woodstock residents to be vigilant and to report unusual activity.
Chief Blish says he is proud of the “tremendous job” put in by police officers in this case. Those people include Officer Lisa Wilding who was on the case the morning many of the thefts were reported and arresting officer Peter Mantello.
Julia Carlisle
Woodstock Early Bird 