Vermont News First
SOUTH HERO – For the second time in less than two months, a South Hero man has been arrested on state charges related to the theft and possession of property stolen from U.S. postal customers in Grand Isle County, authorities said.
The Grand Isle County Sheriff’s Department said local, state and federal investigators raided the home of Kevin Manning, 42, of Lake Drive on Friday evening and seized stolen property.
Manning is due in Vermont Superior Court in North Hero on Thursday to face criminal charges of grand larceny, possession of stolen property and violations of conditions of release, officials said.
There is no court on Monday due to the President’s Day holiday, but Grand Isle County State’s Attorney DiSabito asked that Manning be required to maintain a 24-hour curfew at home until he is arraigned on Thursday. Judge Alison Arms agreed.
Manning also may face federal charges after a U.S. Postal Inspector joined the criminal case and the search, officials said. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Burlington also provided support in the case.
Sheriff Ray Allen said the latest mail theft case came together when a local citizen provided video on Friday linking Manning to a possible theft. Sgt. Jason Essinger worked with DiSabito to prepare a search warrant Friday afternoon for a judge to review, and a raid was planned for the home.
Sgts. Nicholas Pillsbury and Essinger spearheaded the investigation in recent weeks after 28 complaints were received about missing mail in the towns of South Hero and Grand Isle, Allen said.
“We need to thank the residents and victims for their ongoing patience with the investigation. There were a lot of after-hour covert patrols,” the sheriff said.
Video and photographic tips from community members received on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning were key to the case.
“The final break was when a victim got video of the operator of a vehicle committing a crime. It was shared with us and it led to a search warrant that afternoon,” Allen said.
He said the court-ordered search warrant authorized the deputies, state troopers and federal investigators to comb through the mobile home, the outside property and vehicles at the address.
He said the suspected stolen items were put into large evidence bags and are now in custody.
Sheriff Allen said he expects more complaints will be received once local residents realize items, including ordered merchandise, were never received. He said prescription medicines intended for local residents also were among the items seized.
Essinger said the department confiscated several pieces of property that deputies believe are stolen, but have yet to link them to the rightful owner.
Essinger urged anybody that might be missing property, including medications, to call the sheriff’s office at 802-372-4482
The violation of conditions charge stems from Manning reportedly possessing two knives on him when taken into custody, according to DiSabito. Manning is out on judge-imposed conditions for an earlier assault case and was told he could not have any dangerous weapons while that case is pending, DiSabito said.
Manning was due for arraignment on Jan. 22 following the initial raid in December for the first round of mail theft charges, but the case was postponed as federal investigators worked on the case, officials said.
In the earlier case, the sheriff’s department executed a search warrant at the same property about 10 a.m. on Christmas eve.
Assisting the deputy sheriffs that day on the search were DiSabito, Vermont State Troopers, Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife Wardens, and Agents from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Essinger said the department is asking for the public’s patience for the release or return of items reported stolen as they currently constitute evidence for the charged crimes.
Authorities directed that Manning be released on pre-court conditions on Friday night with a citation ordering him to appear for arraignment on Thursday.
The sheriff’s department noted the release or continuation of holding a suspect in custody are determined by the courts based upon the laws of the State of Vermont, and not independently by members of law enforcement.