This year, my neighbors Ben and Denise Sanders were robbed. They took
their time and took everything from jewelry, digital cameras, two
guitars, their computer backup (not the computer), a snowblower and
other items. They trashed their bed headboard to get to an inexpensive
iPod clock radio. Denise suspects they used blunt force on one of their
dogs, too. Many neighbors, including Art and Linda Hendrickson, reported
guys in a small Maine truck selling meat from the back and acting very
creepy during the timeframe of the Sanders' break-in. Maura Lane from
High Country Salon mentioned to me that one of her neighbors had a meat
truck visit and that she felt very uneasy around them. It was all
speculation, of course, so I did a quick search of the internet and
found this article. Note that Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts
have been sharing information on the issue. Massachusetts reports that
"there have been cases in which the meat sellers stole purses from
houses." Rockland Maine Deputy Chief Wally Tower emphasized that "a lot
of these people are convicted felons."
On December 13, my neighbors Ryan and Gretchen Beaulieu were robbed. I
talked to Gretchen on the 18th. What I heard broke my heart. She was
gone for two hours during the day from about 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and
robbers came in and went through everything. They took jewelry boxes
filled with personal and sentimental items, toys slotted for their three
kids for Christmas and a strong box containing the kids' savings bonds
and much of their personal information. They had to change accounts,
etc., to prevent identify theft. The State Police think they were being
watched. During the end of the conversation I asked her if she had heard
about our "meat truck robbery theory" and she said she had not. After
relaying the information to her, she couldn't believe it. Why? Because
the meat truck guys had paid them a visit. Ryan went out to see the meat
and when he said it was too expensive, the "sellers" got belligerent
and Ryan had to ask them to leave his property.
Is this just a coincidence? Maybe. But doesn't it warrant someone looking into this further?
I hope you can do something about this - if nothing else, bring it to
the attention of The Valley residents so we can be on alert and aware of
what's going on. At the very least, these "meat sellers" have acted
inappropriately and people should know about it.
Thank you for your time.
Deb Bouchard lives in Moretown.
