On December 9, 2015, the Burlington Police Department reported a spike in thefts from motor vehicles in various locations of the city. Specifically, it was reported that forty-eight larceny from motor vehicle incidents were reported in the month prior to December 9, 2015. Since that time, the BPD Street Crimes Unit conducted investigations that resulted in three individuals being charged with stealing property from people’s vehicles. The following individuals have been charged:
** Tyler Lafrance (age 23) of Milton, VT – Tyler Lafrance was charged with Petit Larceny and Credit Card Fraud related to thefts from vehicles committed during the early morning hours of December 5, 2015. Lafrance was arraigned at the Chittenden Superior Court on January 28, 2016 and released on conditions. Lafrance has previous convictions for Petit Larceny, Driving While under the Influence, and Driving While License Suspended.
**Donald Raab (age 24) of Shelburne, VT – Donald Raab was charged with Petit Larceny related to thefts from vehicles committed during the early morning hours of December 5, 2015. Raab was arraigned at the Chittenden Superior Court on January 28, 2016 and released on conditions. Raab has approximately fifteen criminal convictions that include Burglary, Possession of Stolen Property, Escape, Arson, Simple Assault, Disorderly Conduct, Unlawful Trespass, Unlawful Mischief, Driving with a Suspended License, Possession of Marijuana, and Violation of Probation.
**Erick Wallace (age 47), Transient – An arrest warrant charging Erick Wallace with Grand Larceny, Petit Larceny, and Possession of Stolen Property was issued out of the Chittenden Superior Court on February 2, 2016. The charges are related to thefts from vehicles on the evening of November 20, 2015. Wallace has approximately twenty criminal convictions that include Burglary, Petit Larceny, Retail Theft, Aiding in the Commission of a Felony, Aggravated Assault, Escape, Unlawful Mischief, Driving While License Suspended, Possession of Heroin, Possession of Marijuana, False Information to a Police Officer, Perjury, and Contempt of Court.
Anybody with information about individuals involved in committing these offenses or Wallace’s whereabouts is asked to contact Sgt. Paul Petralia at 802-540-2147.
Since December 9, 2015 there has been a decline in the number of thefts from vehicles, but they have continued to occur. The Burlington Police Department would like to take this opportunity to remind people not to leave valuables in their vehicles.
