Fire Victims Face New Tragedy as Thieves Strike

A Portland, Connecticut family still reeling from losing their home and two beloved dogs in a devastating fire has now fallen victim to theft. Just over two weeks after the April 21st blaze destroyed their Meshomasic Trail residence, thieves made off with several vehicles belonging to the family, compounding their loss with a new layer of heartbreak.

Local authorities are actively investigating the crime and seeking assistance from anyone with information, according to Patch.

Valuable Vehicles Stolen After Tragedy

The theft targeted several recreational vehicles and a motorcycle belonging to the Levesque family, who had stored them on their property following the fire. Among the items stolen were a 1986 Honda three-wheeler ATV with white plastics and a blue seat, a 1987 yellow Suzuki LT500 Quadzilla, a 2009 red Suzuki LTC 400 special edition Quad, a 2005 BMW R1200GS motorcycle, and a Ryobi power washer.

“We would like to share a reported theft from residents of Meshomasic Trail who have already suffered a tragic loss,” the Portland Police Department posted on social media Thursday. “The family that recently lost their home and cherished belongings in a house fire suffered another loss from despicable thieves.”

Investigators Pursue Multiple Leads

Police believe the theft, which occurred on Tuesday, was carefully coordinated and involved multiple perpetrators. According to investigators, a small car was used as a lookout vehicle while a box truck was employed to transport the stolen vehicles away from the property.

Authorities are combing through surveillance footage from neighboring properties and have asked anyone with information or security camera recordings to contact the Portland Police Department, as reported by NBC Connecticut.

Community Had Rallied After Fire

The latest misfortune comes after the community had rallied to support the family following the April fire, which reduced their rural Meshomasic Trail home to ashes and claimed the lives of their two dogs. Fundraising efforts had collected more than $30,000 to help the family begin rebuilding their lives.

The initial fire had spread rapidly through the home, starting at the back of the structure and advancing quickly through the residence. Water tankers had to be called in since the property is located in one of the most rural areas of town with no access to city water.

Firefighters Fought Challenging Blaze

The Portland Fire Department had responded to the original call on April 21 at 1:33 p.m. for what was initially reported as a wood pile burning on the side of the house. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered the fire was “well advanced” and already spreading throughout the residence.

The department remained on the scene well into the evening hours putting out hotspots, with firefighters not concluding their work until around 7 p.m. The department acknowledged the assistance of mutual aid partners in battling the challenging rural fire, according to WFSB.

Authorities Urge Public Assistance

Portland police are asking residents in the area to review any home security footage that might have captured the thieves in action. The investigation is pursuing multiple angles, including the possibility that the criminals specifically targeted the property knowing the family was displaced.

The latest incident has already sparked additional community support, with local businesses offering rewards for information leading to the recovery of the stolen vehicles, which held both practical and sentimental value for the family as they work to rebuild their lives following the devastating fire.