N.H. Man Accused Of Stealing From Low-Income Families' Community Garden
CONCORD, N.H. (CBS) -- A Boscawen man is facing theft charges after he allegedly took produce from a community garden used by low-income families in the Concord area, the state police said Saturday in a prepared statement.
N.H. State Police troopers were contacted by the project manager of the Sycamore Community Garden Project about a male suspect who had stolen produce from the garden on two occasions.
Witnesses reported that the suspect filled several 5-gallon buckets with a variety of produce and placed them in his truck. The witnesses provided information that led troopers to a Boscawen man, Francisco Sorrentino III, 29, and he was arrested.
Sorrentino was taken to the Troop D barracks, where has was charged with two counts of theft by unauthorized taking and released on $3,000 personal recognizance bail. He faces a hearing Nov. 18, 2013, in Concord District Court.
The Sycamore Community Garden Project has been providing space for low-income families to grow their own food since 2009. The garden has 138 plots, serving 131 families, almost all of whom are from Concord's refugee community, the state police said.
The garden is located at the edge of the New Hampshire Technical Institute's campus in Concord.
