Three local youths hit with felony theft charges

By NATHAN LAMB | Milton Independent Staff Writer
mireporter@mac.com

A trio of local youths is facing over two dozen larceny charges—including one felony-- in connection with a spree of thefts from unlocked vehicles in late July, according to Milton Police.

The arrests were announced last week, following execution of a search warrant at a Milton residence, which recovered numerous items reported stolen between July 26 and July 31, said arresting officer Christopher Grenier.

Names are being withheld due to age, but Grenier said the perpetrators are local and aged 16, 14, and 13. All three are facing a felony count of grand larceny, with nearly 30 petit larceny charges divided between them, according to their individual cases, he said.

The arrests were announced via department release on Aug. 6. While Grenier did not go into specifics, he said the search warrant came after police followed up several calls related to the investigation.

“We were able to develop some leads and gather enough information to have a search warrant printed,” he said.

Over 50 incidents of larceny from unlocked cars were reported from the village area in the last week of July, with more coming forward as word of the incidents got around, said Grenier.

Common targets for theft included iPods, leather man tools, skateboards, keys, and satellite radio equipment, said the release. A laptop computer worth $1,000 was also stolen. The majority of those items have already been returned to the owners, said Grenier.

Grand larceny applies in cases where money or property stolen exceeds $900 in value, and carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $5,000. Petit larceny carries a maximum penalty of up to one year in prison and/or a fine of up to $1,000.

Overall, Grenier indicated the age of the perpetrators was something of a surprise, but not unprecedented in his experience. While drugs are typically the motivation of such crimes, he said this case appeared to be one of group mentality and kids pursuing a bad idea together.

Having recently conducted a search to recover stolen property, Grenier advised residents to record serial numbers of laptops and iPods, saying it makes recovery easier.

Grenier added that similar thefts have taken place since these arrests were made, and he advised that residents take precautions.

“We still have people out there who are doing the same type of thing,” he said. “We are still recommending that people lock their doors or take all their valuables out of their cars.”

In late July, police arrested 18-year-old Winooski resident Brian Alexander in connection with at least a half dozen similar cases. However, police recovered only a small amount of change from Alexander and were convinced from early on that other parties were at work.

No connection between the two cases has been established at this point, said the release.