Burglars steal, wreck vehicles in Montville Truck crashed; motorcycle destroyed by fire

MONTVILLE – Arrests were expected late Friday in the burglary and vandalism of a Montville summer home that resulted in damage amounting to more than $30,000.

Chief Deputy Bob Keating of the Waldo County Sheriff’s Department said officers answered a complaint made Wednesday evening by a caretaker who looks after the Sydney Jones summer home at 18 Gilcrest Lane, off Route 220.

The front door of the house had been forced open, as had the overhead garage door, Keating said.

A 1995 GMC pickup with a plow, restored bumper-to-bumper over the course of the summer by Jones, was taken out of the garage, he said, and the plow removed. The truck apparently was driven into trees and into a corner of the garage, causing serious damage to the vehicle.

Also taken were a 2002 Honda Goldwing motorcycle, valued at about $18,000, and a blue Yamaha ATV. A television, a chain saw and other household items, including food, also were taken, Keating said.

On Thursday afternoon, the motorcycle was found in a gravel pit off Bartlett Road, about four miles from the Jones home. The bike apparently had been set on fire, and all that remained was a pile of twisted steel.

“You wouldn’t know it was a Goldwing,” Keating said.

When contacted by officers, Jones said he had taken just one trip on the motorcycle.

Jones, who lives in Massachusetts, was preparing the house for a retirement home, Keating said.

Late Friday afternoon, officers obtained a warrant and were searching a home on Route 220 where some of the stolen items were found, he said.

Arrests were expected to be made Friday evening.