13-year-old accused of theft, burglary

PITTSFIELD – Local police have charged a 13-year-old boy with two counts of burglary of a motor vehicle and theft after he was caught with items taken from a vehicle and building at Manson Park.

The boy had been observed by a postal service employee entering three vehicles at the post office on Monday morning, and the employee provided a description of the boy and his bicycle.

Meanwhile, Jack Wright, supervisor at Manson Park, reported food and money taken from his vehicle and maintenance building.

Officer Jeff Vanadestine found the boy at Shop ‘n Save at Somerset Plaza and discovered Wright’s missing items in his pockets.

The daylight incidents were unusual, said Vanadestine, because they took place in the morning and the boy had skipped school.

“We have also had a rash of similar burglaries happening in the morning hours,” Vanadestine said. The boy has not been charged in those reports.

The officer said the boy admitted breaking into the building and cars and said he did it “for the rush of it.”

The boy was familiar to police, who had cited him before for criminal mischief, vandalism and curfew violations. He was released into the custody of his parents.