Break-in suspect arrested quickly
By Caitlyn Kelleher

Ashburnham Police arrested Robert F. Moore, of Hillandale Road, Monday, Aug. 14, after a brief search for a suspect in a nearby break-in.

Police responded to the 911-call by a woman after she spotted a man attempting to hide under her bed of Hillandale Road home, said Chief Loring Barrett Jr.

"She stepped out to go to the market," Barrett said.

After she returned she began ironing in her bedroom when she turned around and said she spotted a man in a green T-shirt and jeans attempting to hide under her bed.

"He couldn't quite get under the bed," Barrett said. "She immediately ran out of the house and grabbed her portable phone and called us."

Four Ashburnham officers - including Kevin Ahearn, Robert Siano, Sgt. Todd Parsons and Barrett - arrived on the scene two minutes after the call was place.

"We determined the individual had left the residence through the rear door," Barrett said.

State police and Westminster Police officers assisted in securing the scene, and then tracking the suspect.

Moore, 55, was arrested after a state police K-9 dog tracked him from the backdoor of the victim's house to his front door.

Moore was held overnight at the Athol State Police Barracks on $25,000 bail. He was released on personal recognizance after being arraigned on five charges in Winchendon District Court on Tuesday, Aug. 15.

He is charged with breaking and entering in the daytime for a felony, placing a person in fear, attempt to commit a crime - larceny, possession class D drug - marijuana - subsequent offenses, and trespassing.

"The investigation is still open," Barrett said.

The victim was not physically harmed during the incident but she was emotionally upset, Barrett said.

In other news:

 Police arrested two teenagers for possession of marijuana after responding to a call from the Westminster Police Department for a report of a vehicle in Overlook Middle School parking lot.

Police arrested Jared Halliday, 19, of Gardner, and Timothy Kennedy, 18, of Westminster, for possession of a class D substance - marijuana.

Westminster police spotted the car in the parking lot but called Ashburnham police because of jurisdictional issues, Barrett said.