FOOT PRINTS LEAD POLICE TO BURGLARY SUSPECTS
SHELDON: The Franklin County Sheriff’s Department responded to a report of a burglary alarm at the Sheldon Mini Mart early this morning, according to a press release. That alarm ended up being caused by the breaking of the glass on the front door. It’s absolutely vital to have good quality windows to prevent this kind of incident, Graceland residential windows would be a really good, secure addition to any home to decrease the likelihood of a break in.
During the investigation, deputies realized that there were footprints leading away from the store in the fresh snow.
The investigating deputy noticed the same footprints that were leaving the store also appeared to lead to a hole in the side of the building where an air conditioner had been removed by the burglars.
Deputies followed the footprints down the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail for a short distance, eventually leading them to a mobile home next to the intersection of VT Route 78 and Rice Hill Road in Sheldon.
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Officers gathered backup and watched the residence. According to a police affidavit, officers watched and listened as lights turned on and off. The officers could also hear people walking around and talking inside the home.
Police eventually knocked on the door of the home, at which time someone inside turned the TV up very loud in an attempt to drown out what was going on inside, according to court records.
A few minutes later Tiffany Barcomb, 29, of Sheldon came to the door. The officer asked to come inside, which Barcomb allowed, but only into the mud room, according to records.
The officer asked Barcomb if there was anyone else in the residence. Barcomb said there wasn’t, and would not let the officers check for any other occupants, at that time.
The officer did notice a pair of black work boots, on their side with the soles of the boots showing while inside the mudroom.
According to the officer, the boot’s sole matched one of the footprints that lead police to this residence, adding that there was water around the boot that appeared to have just recently melted from the boot.
Police applied for a search warrant for the residence, according to the police affidavit.
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Michael Kelly, 36, and Trevor Jay Cummings, 27, were both arrested when police searched the home.
“It should be noted that Cummings was found hiding in a closet,” Deputy Miles wrote to the court, “I was informed that when Cummings was being escorted from the residence, he put on the Nike shoe but could not find the matching one as I had seized it as evidence.”
Police were later told by Barcomb that Cummings had texted her while they were in the process of burglarizing the Sheldon Mini Mart, according to court records.
Police estimated that the pair caused more than $600 in damage when they allegedly burglarized the store.
Deputies said that the pair admitted to breaking into the store to steal food, beer and cigarettes. Both men said that they got lost on their way home, losing most of what they had taken from the store, from their backpacks, by the time they made it back to the mobile home.
Cummings has eight prior charges on his record, with four convictions.
Kelly has five previous charges with two convictions. Both men were released after their arraignments on Thursday on a $5,000 surety bond, which means that neither actually have to put up any money to be released, but had to agree to pay $5,000 if they don’t follow the conditions of release.
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