Burglars hit Antique Center

LACONIA — Store owner Charlie St. Clair praised the quick work of city police in identifying and detaining a trio of local larcenous antiquarians who dropped into his Main Street business during the early-morning hours on Monday.

By the close of business that day, police had collared three young men who they say had gained access to the Laconia Antique Center via the adjacent building — which also houses the Colonial Theatre — by hopping out a window of that building and onto the Antique Center’s roof, and entering through a skylight.

Arrested were Joshua Burnham, 27, Chad Brooks, 20, and Shawn Tierney, 19, all of Laconia.

The "shopping spree," which began at 3:08 a.m., was caught by the store’s surveillance cameras, said St. Clair.

Police checked the store’s exterior in response to an alarm at 601 Main St., but found the building to be secure. It was not until 5:10 a.m. that the burglary was discovered.

“They knew the layout of the theater. They must have known about our skylight,” St. Clair said, adding that the burglars took “silly things.”

Police confirmed that the young men had stolen a number of knives, swords, a pellet gun and several collectible coins.

The surveillance video and other evidence at the store led police to the three suspects, and authorities were able to recover what they believe to be everything taken from the Antique Center.

Burnham and Tierney were released on personal recognizance bail, pending an appearance in Belknap County Superior Court on May 10.

Brooks was wanted on a prior bench warrant for failure to appear on charges of willful concealment and driving after his license had been suspended, so he was held without bail pending arraignment today in Superior Court.

“Who knows what goes through the minds of the deranged?” asked St. Clair. “They’re obviously not playing with a full deck.

He added, “I’m very grateful to the police, that an arrest was already made, less than 12 hours later. Excellent police work.”