Sources throughout Woodstock say a 2010 graduate of Woodstock Union High School, Richard Hurd, is the young male responsible (with help from accomplices) for a series of car thefts last week. He was charged earlier this week with grand larceny and additional charges may be pending for simple assault.
Although Woodstock Police would not name him to the press, Hurd is apparently well-known to many of his victims who have named him, including those who reportedly surrounded him and demanded back their “stuff” after catching him near their vehicles in the Rose Hill area of Woodstock late last week.
One source says a group of “kids” came back from an evening outing to their cars in the Rose Hill area and noticed the dome light was lit in one of the vehicles. They then, according to the source, noticed Hurd. The small group of young men and women then chased him and surrounded him despite at least one young person’s plea that they call the police.
At one point, according to a source — who was at the scene –Hurd apparently told them he had a gun. This could garner Hurd another charge — that of simple assault for threatening violence. Hurd is said to have thrown things to the ground. The “kids” got back their stuff and then reported the incident to one of their parents. The parent then called the Woodstock Police.
Richard Hurd’s Facebook page reads: “My name is Richard. I hate everything.”
As reported earlier, at least one person associated with the thefts is cooperating with police.
Vermont State Police and Hartford Police have not yet responded to requests for information about possibly related burglaries in Barnard and Hartford.
Julia Carlisle
Woodstock Early Bird 