At Least One Other Still Sought
By Doug La Rocque
For the last two weeks, Eastern Rensselaer, Southern Washington and Southwestern Bennington Counties have been hit with a rash of burglaries, sometimes more than one occurring in near proximity of another. This past weekend, police got a break when 38-year old Jeremy T. Joseph of North Clarendon, Vermont, was caught on a home surveillance system breaking into a home in the Town of Hoosick. New York State Troopers were able to identify a black Dodge pickup truck used by Joseph, and subsequently him.
He was arrested early Sunday morning, December 9, at the home of a relative in Rutland Vermont. Some of the stolen items were recovered at that time. During questioning, troopers say he admitted to committing six of the break-ins, but denied the rest. Some of the remaining open cases involve the theft of guns. Police are asking area residents to remain vigilant, as they believe at least one other person, or a group of people are involved.
According to Troopers, Joseph would knock on a door, and if answered would solicit work as a logger. If no answer, he would force open the door. They say he admitted to pawning the stolen goods in Troy or Vermont to buy crack cocaine. Joseph apparently had a girlfriend in Bennington, and when visiting her, would break into homes along the Route 22 corridor to support his drug habit. He also has a felony warrant from Manchester, Vermont, and a criminal record that dates back two years.
Joseph was arraigned and sent to the Washington County Jail for lack of bail. Troopers are asking if you think you might have encountered Joseph, to call them at the Brunswick Barracks at 518-279-4426, the Greenwich Barracks at 518-583-7000 or the Washington County Sheriff at 518-747-4623. Besides these three agencies, Troopers credit the Rensselaer County Sheriffs Department, the Hoosick Falls Police Department and the Vermont State Police for their assistance.