POST MILLS — Thetford police have arrested a suspect for drilling into a gas tank and stealing gas from a truck parked at the Peabody Library earlier this month. They also are investigating two other similar thefts in town.
Steven Gaboury, 57, of Swanton, Vt., faces a charge of unlawful felony mischief for drilling into the gas tank of a 2025 Ford Super Duty truck outside of the Post Mills library and causing about $2,900 in damages earlier this month, Thetford Police Chief Michael Scruggs said Friday.
Though he did not have the exact dates, Scruggs said there were three instances of holes being drilled into parked vehicles to steal gas over three days in Thetford earlier this month. The thefts occurred at the Thetford Park and Ride, Peabody Library and at a private residence.
So far, Thetford Police have only been able to charge Gaboury in connection with the library theft.
Thetford Police had footage of Gaboury’s own truck at the scene and had identified him as the owner and suspect last Thursday, Scruggs said.
Later that day, Fairlee Police Chief Wayne Briggs was driving through Thetford and saw Gaboury next to a truck matching the description and pouring gas from a 5-gallon pail into a gas can, Scruggs said.
Briggs made contact with Gaboury and called Thetford Sgt. Karie Tucker who identified Gaboury and took him into custody.
Scruggs said Thetford Police have more information and are working on connecting Gaboury to the two other thefts, but he declined to share more details citing the ongoing investigation.
There has been a string of similar gas thefts in the Upper Valley since mid-September including in Bradford, Vt., Wells River and Hartford.
Scruggs also referenced several incidents that Vermont State Police are investigating north of Thetford and said it would be “reasonable to assume there could be some connection” between Gaboury and the other thefts in the area.
Gaboury is scheduled to be arraigned in Orange County Court Dec. 3.
