VERMONT COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM SCHOOLS Four Cited In Connection With String Of BurglariesFour Cited In Connection With String Of Burglaries


BY GARY E. LINDSLEY Staff Writer
Thursday October 6, 2005

NORTHEAST KINGDOM VERMONT
Three adults and a juvenile have been cited in connection with a string of burglaries that occurred over the summer in the Northeast Kingdom.

Adam Gilman, 19, and Eric Jackson, 18, both inmates at the Northeast Regional Correctional Facility in St. Johnsbury, were cited Wednesday by Lyndonville Police Chief Jack Harris and state trooper Denis Girouard of the St. Johnsbury barracks.

Also cited in the case was Kevin Piadade, 19, of Lyndonville, and an unnamed male juvenile, who is to be petitioned into juvenile court to answer the charge of burglary, according to Girouard.

The following places and an individual were burglarized: the Newark Street School in Newark; Cole's Redemption, Valero and Nick's Gas 'N Go, all in Lyndonville; the Caledonia County Fair in Lyndon; Murray's Garage in Lyndon; and Laurie Dauria in West Burke.

Girouard said besides gasoline and cigarettes, consumable goods were also stolen from the gas stations.

"A lot of [the burglaries] involved lots of packs of cigarettes," he said.

He added there may be more victims and possibly more arrests to be made.

Girouard believes the string of burglaries may have started with a break-in at the Newark Street School July 16 where two computers and digital cameras were stolen. The computers have not been recovered.
"There also was damage to the school," he said.

A fire extinguisher was used to damage computers and windows were broken as well.

Between all the burglaries and the damages done at the school and businesses, he estimates the total cost could be $10,000. The dollar amount was about $2,700 in computers and software at the school alone.

And Gilman and Jackson are also accused of stealing a purse and its contents which belonged to Dauria.

Girouard said the pair stole about $200 from her. He also said they are reportedly friends with her children.

Solving the burglaries, according to Girouard, was a good joint effort between Harris, himself and fellow troopers Lyle Decker and Russell Finn, especially when there were different troopers involved with different break-ins.

Evidence taken at the school break-in helped police to develop leads which led to search warrants. During the searches, police were able to tie Gilman and Jackson to the burglaries, Girouard explained.

Further information revealed Gilman had criminally trespassed at Murray's Garage. Gilman has also been implicated in stealing merchandise from a vendor at the Caledonia County Fair this summer.

Piadade was cited for being involved in the break-in at the school. And the unnamed juvenile stands accused of breaking into the school and stealing computers.

"To piece it all together was a good effort," said Girouard.

Although people have been cited, he said the investigation is continuing. Besides the possibility of more people being accused of the burglaries, Girouard said they will continue gathering evidence to secure convictions.

Anyone with information about the break-ins or has stolen property obtained from Gilman and Jackson should contact Harris at 626-1271 or Girouard at 748-3111.

Harris could not be reached for comment