Eagle Times Staff
In a press release sent on Aug. 3, Chief Anthony Swett of the Plainfield Police Department announced the arrest of two Lebanon men for the April 2023 barn fire in Plainfield.
“On April 2, 2023, at 3:40 a.m., the Plainfield Fire and Police departments responded to a reported barn fire on Route 120, Plainfield. The barn was fully engulfed and had collapsed.
The owner of the property was safely assisted outside. Two vehicles were a total loss, and a third vehicle was later found to be missing.
A four-month investigation identified the suspects as Jesse J. Laflam, 30, and Thomas J. Hamel Jr., 31, both from Lebanon.
Jesse Laflam was arrested and charged with Conspiracy to Commit Arson and Conspiracy to Commit Theft. Laflam was arraigned on Aug. 1, and is being held at the Sullivan County House of Corrections.
Thomas Hamel was arrested and charged with Conspiracy to Commit Arson and lodged at the Sullivan County House of Corrections pending a Sullivan Superior Court arraignment on Aug. 3.
The Plainfield Police Department extends great appreciation to the Lebanon Police Department, Claremont Police Department, and the Sullivan County Attorney’s Office for their assistance throughout this investigation.
In an interview with the Eagle Times, Chief Swett said that Thomas Hamel Jr. used to live in Lebanon. He was picked by the Plainfield Police on Aug. 2 in Nashua.
Hammel had a hearing on Aug. 3, but no news of his bail was available at press deadline. Laflam’s bail was set at $2,500 cash, but he was unable to post it.
As your daily newspaper, we are committed to providing you with important local news coverage for Sullivan County and the surrounding areas.