Police asking for help

A slew of burglaries in Waterbury’s town and village has police asking for help.

The Waterbury police continue to investigate a series of burglaries — as many as eight — with the Vermont State Police.

“They’re daytime burglaries around Waterbury in the town and village,” Waterbury Police Chief Joby Feccia told the Record this week.

During the past month or so, a man has been walking through residential neighborhoods, knocking on doors in search of unlocked properties.

“He knocks on the door and says he’s looking for his dog,” Feccia said. “If no one answers, he goes in and makes a quick assessment, looking mainly for jewelry and cash.”

Police earlier described the thief as a man 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-7 with brown hair, a lean build and missing teeth. However, Feccia said police would like to withhold further information about what the suspect looks like, to avoid influencing any potential tips from witnesses.

Last week, a wallet was stolen from an unlocked vehicle in Waterbury, with $200 in cash, credit cards and a driver’s license. The theft victim told police his wallet was stolen as he moved items in and out of his car between 9 and 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 17.

In investigating the crime wave, police say they’ve conducted a photo lineup of the usual suspects, with some success. Feccia said some potential suspects in the burglaries have been interviewed, but there’s not enough evidence yet to make an arrest.

Police suspect the burglaries targeting unlocked properties may be related. However, none have occurred in the past couple of weeks, suggesting the perpetrator may be lying low.

“We would love to do more photo lineups with any witnesses who are willing to talk to us,” Feccia said. “One of the things I would ask is to lock your doors, including your vehicles.”

Help from video

Waterbury police say good security, with help from the Facebook public, helped solve a couple of recent thefts at the Stowe Street Emporium in Waterbury.

The store was hit twice within the past couple of weeks. The store sells clothing, kitchenware and jewelry, and has long drawn shoppers and shoplifters alike from throughout central Vermont.

“We suggested that they buy a security system with video surveillance, and within a couple of weeks of them having it, we solved two cases” of theft, Feccia said. “I’m going to guess that the system will soon pay for itself.”

Most recently, a 65-year-old woman from Montpelier was caught shoplifting on video surveillance by owners of the Stowe Street Emporium. Police cited Sandra McManis into Washington County Superior Court on a misdemeanor charge of retail theft; she’s charged with stealing $375 worth of merchandise, including four pairs of Darn Tough socks, an Aventura jacket, a sweater, scarf, a men’s wallet and a jewelry case.

As with another recent theft at the Emporium, owners turned to Facebook to help identify a suspect caught on video.

Across town, video surveillance helped police solve a series of thefts at Subway on South Main Street. Police cited former employee Renee Guy, 21, of Williamstown into court on a misdemeanor charge of petty larceny, after video showed her allegedly taking money from the store’s cash register last week.

Guy is accused of taking more than $500 from the cash register over several evenings, including $85 one night.