Truck was saved during 1972 fire at Samoset Resort

Man sentenced to three years in jail for vandalizing antique truck, garage in Rockport

Sun, 11/05/2017 - 5:00pm

    ROCKLAND — A transient was sentenced to three years in jail for vandalizing both an antique car and garage in April after breaking into the building.

    Raymond Porter, 40, was convicted of aggravated criminal mischief and criminal trespass in Knox County Unified Court Nov. 2. His full sentence includes three years in jail with all but 60 days suspended. He will also serve two years of probation.

    Judge Susan Sparaco set Porter’s bail at $1,000 cash during his initial court appearance in Knox County Unified Court May 10. He has remained at the Knox County Jail since his hearing.

    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 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 original Samoset Resort in October 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 what the estimated damages were 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.

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

    Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com