Truck was saved during 1972 fire at Samoset Resort

Man arrested for vandalizing garage and antique truck in Rockport, police say

Mon, 05/15/2017 - 4:15pm

    ROCKLAND — A transient remains in jail after he was arrested by Rockport Police for allegedly vandalizing both an antique car and garage after breaking into the building.

    Raymond Porter, 39, was charged with aggravated criminal mischief and criminal trespass. Judge Susan Sparaco set Porter’s bail at $1,000 cash during his initial court appearance in Knox County Unified Court May 10.

    According to the affidavit filed by Rockport Police, a homeowner residing on Old County Road reported on April 13 that his garage was broken into and the building and an antique car were vandalized.

    Damages in the garage included broken windows, a smashed electrical fuse box and holes punched through a door. A table was also thrown through a back window.

    The property owner also reported damage to a Ford Model T 1920s style truck, belonging to the Samoset Resort, that was being stored in the garage. The truck is one of the few remaining items from the fire at the Samoset in 1972, according to the affidavit.

    Porter allegedly dented a nose piece on the truck by striking it several times and used a sickle to chop at one of the wooden stands used to elevate the vehicle during its storage. Plug wires from the truck were also ripped off.

    Damages to the garage were estimated at more than $2,000. It is not known at this time what the estimated damages are for the antique truck.  

    Police found receipts from the Circle K convenience store in Rockport and a withdrawal statement from an automated teller machine in the garage along with pizza and donut boxes and other food containers. Police identified Porter by reviewing the store’s video surveillance camera and matching the person in the footage with the date and time on the receipts.

    Police had also received an earlier complaint about Porter allegedly throwing rocks at an electrical panel on a telephone pole on Old County Road.

    When police interviewed Porter he denied being in the garage and refused to tell police where he was living, according to the affidavit.

    Porter will appear in court again on June 8.

    Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com