Police jail alleged city squatter
Toolbox
By Gordon Dritschilo Staff Writer - Published: December 4, 2009
A Bristol man is in jail after police said they caught him squatting at a Rutland house.
Nicholas C. Moretti, 35, who court records say also goes by the alias "Nicholas Moulton," pleaded innocent Monday in Middlebury District Court to a felony charge of burglary and misdemeanor charges of petty larceny and unlawful mischief. He was held for lack of $75,000 bail.
Addison County Deputy State's Attorney Christopher Perkett said the arraignment was held in Middlebury because his office had warrants out for Moretti stemming from alleged incidents in the summer and early fall.
"We had him on two counts of driving with a suspended license and possession of marijuana, misdemeanor," Perkett said.
If convicted on the Rutland County charges, Moretti could face up to 16-1/2 years in prison and $2,500 in fines.
Rutland City Police said they responded to a call Saturday morning from a Killington Avenue man who saw Moretti coming out of a neighbor's house. The man said the house was owned by someone from out of state who was not around.
Police said they found the front door unlocked and some pillows on the floor near the door. A door to the basement had been kicked in, according to affidavits, and police found clothing, bedding and other items strewn on the floor of the bedrooms.
The basement had a smashed window, police said, and a door from the basement to the main house had been broken open.
A police dog traced Moretti from the house to Sharon Drive, where another officer had detained him, according to affidavits.
Police said Moretti had powdered cocoa packets in his pocket that matched some found on the kitchen floor. He had several other items on him later identified as coming from the house, police said, including two pairs of socks and various pieces of ski clothing.
The New Jersey couple who own the house gave police a list of missing items, according to affidavits, including two ski jackets, work boots, four bed comforters, a DVD player, a printer and various foodstuffs.
gordon.dritschilo@rutland herald.com
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