Police: Joyride led to thefts
Toolbox
By Gordon Dritschilo Herald Staff - Published: January 10, 2009
MIDDLEBURY — Three men who allegedly told police they went around town emptying out unlocked cars pleaded innocent this week to breaking into a self-storage unit.
Robert R. Blaise, 28, of Hazel Road in Bristol; Stephen M. Richer, 25, of Railroad Street in Essex Junction and Anthony J. Brigante, 21, of Lavigne Road in Colchester pleaded innocent Monday in Middlebury District Court to one charge each of felony burglary and misdemeanor petty larceny and possession of stolen goods.
If convicted, each suspect could face a maximum of 17 years in prison and $2,500 in fines.
Middlebury Police Officer Kevin Emilio said he spotted the trio in the Marble Works parking lot early on the morning of Nov. 14, and two were wearing ski masks and another carrying a large black duffle. Emilio said they ran from him about 70 yards before stopping.
The duffle bag contained a variety of goods the men initially told police they had found scavenging dumpsters, according to affidavits. On further question, the men said they were joyriding through the area when they spotted a reciprocating saw in the back of a pickup, police said.
They took the saw, according to police, and then went around looking for unmarked cars, taking items when they found one.
The same night, police said they got a call that several storage units had been broken into at Exchange Street Storage.
Police said one of the items taken from the three men was a military dog tag in the name of Seth Bordanaro. Bordanaro told police the dog tag was probably taken from his mother's storage unit at Exchange Street, according to affidavits, and subsequently identified several other items in the men's possession as having been taken from the storage unit.
Bordanaro identified a 5-Euro note, a bag of Scottish coins, two watches, two RAM cards, a bracelet, a gold ring and a knife as having come from the storage unit, according to affidavits.
Police said they are still investigating the case and much property still had not been identified by its owners as of late December.
Other items police took from the trio include flashlights, a cell phone, a lighter, a digital recorder, a large amount of change, electrical tape, key chains, tools and a fishing lure.
Blaise and Richer were each released on a $5,000 unsecured bond. Brigante was freed without bail. The men were also released on a condition they not have contact with each other.
Judge Cortland Corsones refused a request by Brigante's attorney for a one-time exception to the latter condition — Richer had given the other two rides to the courthouse.
"It's unfortunate, Mr. Brigante, but you're going to have to find a different way home," Corsones said.
Contact Gordon Dritschilo at gordon.dritschilo@rutlandherald.com.
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