Second Norfolk home is invaded

By Lindsey Pizzica Rotolo

Trooper Greg Naylor: Lock your doors.

For the second time this year, Norfolk was the scene of a break-in, this time at the home of Donna and Michael Adams on Litchfield Road. Their home was allegedly entered around 2 a.m. on April 16 by at least one Winsted teenager. Five Gilbert High School students were arrested that night and charged with a series of criminal acts that allegedly began at the Winchester Lake boat launch and continued into Colebrook, Norfolk and Winsted. The group was charged with smashing numerous mailboxes. One mailbox was knocked off its pedestal and thrown into the window of a home at 168 Danbury Quarter Road in Winsted. The group then drove to Norfolk, smashed several mailboxes on Bruey Road, and randomly stopped at the Adams home. Michael Adams said he was awakened by loud noises coming from the kitchen and went downstairs to investigate. He could not see much, but thought there was just one person in his kitchen, who immediately threw a chair at him. Adams threw the chair back and the intruder ran out the door. “I have no idea what his intentions were,” says Adams. “I could tell it was a male and he had a hood up over his head, and that’s about it. He didn’t say anything to me and it was too dark to make out his face.” Adams says his three children, aged nine, seven and two are deeply affected by the incident. The two year-old was in the dining room while the scuffle took place and the nine year-old was on the stairs. “Our kids can’t sleep at night,” says Adams. “They’re scared. They won’t go to bathroom alone and they’re afraid of dark rooms.” After leaving the Adams house, the Gilbert students drove back towards Winsted and allegedly stopped at the home of Rebecca and Ray Lincavicks at 126 Danbury Quarter Road. The Lincavicks could not be reached for comment, but police report that some items of little value were stolen from their home and abandoned near the property. Minutes after leaving the Lincavicks home, the boys were pulled over for speeding by Winsted police. Noah Pierce, the only one of the group over the age of 17, has been charged with six felony counts including risk of injury to a child and first degree burglary. According to published reports, Pierce is a senior honors student and captain of the wrestling team who has been accepted to attend the University of Connecticut. He also faces 19 misdemeanor counts including third degree criminal mischief. There is a good chance that all five will be tried as adults. That is fine with Adams. “We’re happy to hear they are being tried as adults,” he says. “Those kids are still out leading their lives, going to school, free to do whatever they want, while we’re dealing with the repercussions of their acts.” Norfolk Resident Trooper Greg Naylor downgraded the likelihood of another random break-in taking place here soon. “The odds are slim to none something like this will happen again in the near future,” says Naylor. “Felonies are not on the rise in Norfolk, but vandalism cases are definitely up. ‘Mailbox baseball’ has been rampant the past 18 months. Kids don’t seem to realize the effect their actions have on the victims of their crimes and the serious charges they will face.” Meanwhile, Eric Castillo and Jesse Diaz, two of the three men awaiting trial for the alleged March break-in at the home of Tom Wilkeson on Ashpohtag Road, are also Gilbert High School students. Castillo is charged with six felonies in that incident, including accessory to home invasion. Diaz is charged with four felony counts, including home invasion and first degree robbery. Both men have yet to enter their pleas in Litchfield Superior Court. Both the principal and superintendent of Gilbert High School declined to be interviewed about what administrative actions might be taken to address the recent surge in criminal activity by Gilbert students. The school is a quasi-private institution not governed by the superintendent who oversees the Regional 7 school district, which includes Norfolk.

Trooper Greg Naylor’s Home Security Tips

In light of recent break-ins and a rise in vandalism, Norfolk’s Resident State Trooper Greg Naylor met with a small gathering of concerned residents on May 8 at Botelle School. During the meeting, initiated by Robin Denny, Naylor shared the following observations: Bullet: Most burglars are drug users looking for an easy entry with nobody home, most often during a weekday. Bullet: Neighborhood watch teams in which homeowners agree to check a home when their occupants are way is a good crime deterrent. If alerted in advance (542-5249), Naylor will also swing by your house from time to time while you are away. Bullet: Never leave the keys in your car and don’t’ hang car keys on a hook by the front door. Bullet: Lock front and back doors, even when only driving to and from the post office. Thieves don’t want to take the time and risk attracting attention by forcibly entering a home that is locked. Bullet: If a stranger knocks on the door and wants to use your telephone, ask him to wait outside and offer to make the call yourself. If suspicious, call 911. Bullet: Keep a list of serial numbers on easily sold objects such as laptop computers, game consoles, chain saws and power tools. These are usually pawned and are readily retrieved with proper identification. Bullet: If encountering a burglar, use pepper spray or a Taser gun, whose laser beam stuns its victim. Both products are obtainable online. Bullet: Naylor does not advise everybody to run out and buy a gun. “What sounds like a burglary in progress may turn out to be your 16 year old coming home late,” he said. “You can take back a taser shot, but not a gunshot.” – Bob Bumcrot