Police: More burglary suspects, charges coming

Although three Springfield men, including a father and son, have been arraigned in connection with a wave a burglaries that took place in October and November in Chester and surrounding towns, prosecutors say more charges and additional suspects are forthcoming.

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Published January 2, 2016 in the Rutland Herald Police: More burglary suspects, charges coming By ERIC FRANCIS CORRESPONDENT WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — Although three Springfield men, including a father and son, have been arraigned in connection with a wave a burglaries that took place in October and November in Chester and surrounding towns, prosecutors say more charges and additional suspects are forthcoming. Michael Farnsworth, 26, described by investigators as the ringleader, has been held in pre-trial detention for lack of $25,000 bail since his arrest in November. He pleaded innocent to 38 separate charges, including 17 felonies. Michael Farnsworth’s father, David Farnsworth, 59, appeared in court last week where he pleaded innocent to 20 criminal charges, including 13 felony burglary and possession of stolen property counts. He was released from the courthouse on pre-trial conditions that include 24-hour curfew at his residence and drug counseling and treatment while he awaits trial. Zachary McNeill, 23, also pleaded innocent last week in court to eight charges, including six felony burglary counts, and he denied having violated his probation. Probation officers alleged a series of drug tests conducted last month came back positive for drug use. At least two other men are believed to be involved, Windsor County State’s Attorney Glenn Barnes said this past week, noting that “more allegations of burglary” have already been forwarded by the Chester Police Department to his office for prosecution. Chester Police Chief Rick Cloud described the rash of thefts as “100 percent drug related.” During his alleged confession to authorities after his arrest, Michael Farnsworth described his activities as “a cry for help.” Vermont State Police Detective Sgt. Anthony French wrote in his affidavit that “David Farnsworth said ... Michael threatened him if he went against what Michael told him to do.” “(David) said he is addicted to heroin and the money was used to purchase heroin for their addictions,” French wrote. French said a remorseful David Farnsworth did cooperate extensively with police efforts to document all of the various thefts and worked with police to return many items of stolen property to the rightful owners. When Michael Farnsworth was interviewed he told police the thefts supported heroin habits and added that he didn’t want to get sick from withdrawals or see his father get sick and the crimes were a cry for help, according to the affidavit. Most of the reported thefts involved tools and other work equipment taken from relatively unsecured outbuildings, garages and construction sites in Chester, Andover, Rockingham, Ludlow, Cavendish, Weathersfield, West Windsor and Springfield. Items such as air compressors, compound saws, gasoline cans, mowers, a roto-tiller, cameras, work clothes, tool boxes, an ice auger, a leaf blower, televisions, golf clubs, skis and chain saws were taken to pawn shops in New Hampshire and traded for cash or sold to a handful of individuals, police said. Police said the tip that eventually led to the gang’s arrest came from a resident who suspected the low prices on the resale of the tools indicated they were stolen. In all, police estimate more than $40,000 worth of goods may have been gathered by the group, although a substantial amount of that property has since been recovered. During Michael Farnsworth’s most recent hearing in December, Judge Nancy Corsones raised the possibility that, because he is already a convicted felon with a record of scrap metal thefts in recent years, he could soon also be facing a federal charge because of a hunting rifle that was taken during one of the thefts because that would have made him allegedly a felon in possession of a firearm. http://www.vermonttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/RH/20160102/NEWS02/160109930 http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20160102/NEWS02/160109930