Editor’s note: This article is by staff at the Brattleboro Reformer, in which it was first published Dec. 18, 2015.
BRATTLEBORO — A father and son from Springfield are the main suspects in a burglary ring that targeted several homes and businesses in Windham and Windsor counties.
According to a press release from the Vermont State Police, David Farnsworth, 59, and Michael Farnsworth, 26, are responsible for thefts and burglaries in Rockingham, Andover, Ludlow, Cavendish, Weathersfield, Springfield and West Windsor. The father and son were accompanied on several occasions by Zachary McNeill, 23, and Joshua Congdon, 36, both also of Springfield.
According to the press release, the Farnsworths drove to numerous locations during the day throughout the months of October and November to steal property. The property was then sold to support their heroin addictions.
The state police, working with police departments in Chester, Springfield, Weathersfield, Ludlow and Newport, N.H., and with the New Hampshire State Police, were able to locate many of the stolen items and return them to the owners.
Locations of the crimes include Town Farm Road and Randall Hill Road in Springfield, East Hill Road and Lovejoy Brook Road in Andover, Smokeshire Road, Route 103 and Dix Hill Road in Ludlow, Upper Falls Road, Drumlin Road, Lyons Drive, Route 106, and Baltimore Road in Weathersfield, Parker Hill Road, Osgood Road and Coburn Hill Road in Rockingham, Cavendish Gulf Road in Cavendish and Shattuck Hill Road and Silver Hill Road in West Windsor.
As a result of the investigation, Michael Farnsworth was ordered to appear in Vermont Superior Court, Windsor County, Criminal Division, on Dec. 19 to answer citations for 14 counts of burglary, 10 counts of possession and selling stolen property, two counts of petit larceny, and seven counts of unlawful mischief, possession/selling stolen property (10 counts), petit larceny (two counts) and unlawful mischief (seven counts). He was ordered to appear in Vermont Superior Court, Windham County, Criminal Division, on Jan. 12 to answer citations including five counts of burglary, four counts of possessing and selling stolen property and one count of petit larceny.
David Farnsworth was ordered to appear in Vermont Superior Court, Windsor County, Criminal Division, on Dec. 29 to answer citations for 13 counts of burglary, six counts of possessing and selling stolen property and two counts of petit larceny. He was ordered to appear in Vermont Superior Court, Windham County, Criminal Division, on Jan. 12 to answer citations for five counts of burglary, three counts of possessing and selling stolen property and one count of petit larceny.
Zachary McNeill was ordered to appear in Vermont Superior Court, Windsor County, Criminal Division, on Dec. 20 to answer citations for six counts of burglary and two counts of petit larceny. He was ordered to appear in Vermont Superior Court, Windham County, Criminal Division, on Jan. 12 to answer a citation for one count of burglary.
Joshua Congdon was ordered to appear in Vermont Superior Court, Windsor County, Criminal Division, on Jan. 19 to answer to one citation for burglary.
Other charges are expected from police departments in Springfield and Chester.
