BERLIN, Vt. (WCAX) – Authorities have identified four suspects in connection with a violent home invasion that took place back in July.
Antique and jewelry collector Alvah Newhall says he is in better spirits six months after the invasion of his Berlin home that left him injured and shook his sense of security
“I have a lot to be thankful for. It was quite an ordeal but my travels have brought me to a place. I’m in a good space right now,” Newhall said.
Newhall and his 85-year-old mother woke just after midnight on July 17 to three masked people breaking into their home. The robbers demanded jewelry, ransacked the house, and assaulted Newhall. They stole over $100,000 worth of belongings. “They smashed up stuff — that was the scary part about it. They kept smashing and throwing stuff,” Newhall told WCAX after the break-in.
But now Newhall can relax somewhat. The Berlin Police on Tuesday announced the names of four suspects in the home invasion. They say Ramsey Haskins, 34, and John Balch, 33, both of Waterbury, and Megan Ryan, 28, of Starksboro, orchestrated the crime. They also say Elizabeth Immich, 33, of Barre had some of the stolen items in her possession and was arrested last fall. Haskins was arrested late last year, but both Ryan and Balch remain at large.
“Those four people – I don’t know any of them,” Newhall said. He says that most of his stuff was immediately pawned in New Jersey and New York and that he didn’t get much back. “I’m not even really worried now on the material items. I just want justice to be served.”
So how did police crack the case? “The evidence that we found is through technology, different warrants to get cell phone data, social media data,” said Berlin Police Chief James Pontbriand. “I would imagine based on the circumstances that it was finically motivated.”
Pontbriand says that his department has seen more people stealing from both homes and businesses. citing a 200% increase in retail thefts over the last decade. He says much of it is fueled by the opioid crisis. “People struggling with substance use. There’s really no, unfortunately, any accountability so there is no stopping that cycle,” he said.
As for Newhall, he’s thankful for support from the community. But he says the ordeal has taken a toll. He says he is now changing a majority of what he collects. “I’m going away from anything where they can do a quick sale, to things I enjoy,” Newhall said. Even so, he remains on guard. “You never know when they will hit again.”
Police say the home invasion is still being actively investigated and additional charges may be filed in the case.
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