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Bellows Falls man accused of 39 counts of burglary

Staff reports
BELLOWS FALLS, Vt. — Police have charged a Bellows Falls, Vermont man in connection with burglary, unlawful mischief and larceny at 39 locations including homes, businesses, churches and schools in the Londonderry, Vermont and surrounding areas.

The Vermont State Police has accused Travis Despain, 27, of Bellows Falls of 39 counts of burglary, 34 counts of unlawful mischief, and 26 counts of larceny, all according to a VSP press release.

The Vermont State Police arrested Despain, on Sept. 4 in regards to 39 burglaries he allegedly committed between May 2015 and April 2017 in Londonderry, Weston, Windham, Winhall, Jamaica, Andover, South Londonderry, and Peru.

Despain is accused of burglarizing restaurants, a hardware store and other businesses; elementary schools, churches, a farm, a U.S. Post Office, town offices and town halls, as well as primary and secondary residences.

An estimated $35,000 worth of personal belongings and merchandise was taken, as well as an additional $5,300 in property damage alleged to have been caused by Despain, police said.

Despain was processed for the offenses and issued a citation for the 39 counts of burglary, 34 counts of unlawful mischief and 26 counts of larceny. He was ordered to appear on Oct. 23 in Windham County Criminal Court.

Additional charges are possible as troopers are continuing the investigation, police said.

Several of the incidents occurred in Windsor County. A separate cite date for those burglaries will be issued at a later date, according to police.

Numerous troopers with the Vermont State Police and officers of the Winhall Police Department were involved in the individual case investigations throughout the years.

The Vermont State Police is continuing to attempt to notify the victims of this arrest, they said.

Any victims looking to speak to the Vermont State Police or any civilians with additional information in regard to these incidents are encouraged to contact Sgt. Ryan Wood of the Westminster Barracks at (802) 722-4600.

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