Gilmanton man charged with stealing fire wood from former business partner

Published Date

GILFORD — Police have charged a Gilmanton man with stealing fire wood from a former business partner.
Police said the victims reported the theft on January 28 telling them that Nicolas Fleming, 43, of 22 Drake Ave. in Gilmanton had come to a job site on Sawmill Road in Gilford and had taken 1 1/2 cords of wood valued at about $400.
The victim said he and Fleming once worked together but had a falling out in December. He said Fleming had no reason to take the wood.
Police went to the site and noticed that there were tire marks and foot steps that went back and forth from where the victim said his wood had been stacked.
The next day, the victim told police there was a witness to the theft and police interviewed that witness via telephone two days later. The witness said he saw a blue pickup being driven by a man he used to see at the job site. He said he was driving a Ford Ranger with a trailer with the N.H. registration of FLEMDOG.
Police next interviewed the property owner who told them he had not given Fleming permission to be on his property. The property owner said his contract for firewood was with the victim.
The land owner also said Fleming had told him he would do the job for less money but the land owner said he would keep his business with the victim unless he didn't want to do the job any longer.
Fleming was arrested by Gilford Police and charged with one count of theft by unauthorized taking. He appeared on February 7 in the 4th Circuit Court, Laconia Division and Judge Jim Carroll ordered him released on $1,000 personal recognizance bail and to stay away from the victim.
In a twist to the story, Gilmanton Police Chief Joe Collins confirmed yesterday that his department is investigating a complaint made by Fleming against the victim.
Collins said the victim came to Fleming's home and allegedly assaulted him and the Gilmanton Police were called during the altercation.