TGN

Looks like TGN got the scoop from the Bolg!  hee-hee-hee

Man charged with assaulting, robbing senior citizen in Templeton

Mark Haranas News Staff Writer GARDNER — Following a two-week investigation, a Winchendon man has been arrested after allegedly breaking into a home, assaulting an elderly man and taking his wallet, which contained two blank checks. James P. Lafreniere, 52, of 226 Front St. was arrested and charged with unarmed robbery of a person over 60 years of age while wearing a mask, assault and battery on a person over 60 years of age with injury, breaking and entering in the nighttime with the intent to commit a felony and misleading a police investigation. According to reports from several area departments, at approximately 6:56 p.m. March 3 officials responded to a home on Otter River Road in Templeton following a report of an elderly man who had been assaulted and robbed in his home by a masked man. The alleged victim, who was bleeding from the mouth and out of breath when officers arrived, told police the suspect attacked him from behind without warning in the kitchen of his home. The alleged victim said the attacker was a “large, heavy set man in a dark jacket wearing a mask over his face who did not respond and did not say a word during the entire confrontation,” according to reports. Police report the suspect threw the alleged victim to the ground and began striking him in the chest with his knee. The suspect allegedly placed all of his weight on the man’s chest while he stole his wallet, which contained over $300 in cash, a credit card and two blank, unsigned checks. The man was later transported to Heywood Hospital after complaining of chest injuries, and was treated and released without any serious injuries. The alleged victim told police Mr. Lafreniere had previously broken into his home and stolen his wallet and cell phone. Police records show Mr. Lafreniere was arrested Jan. 26 on charges of breaking and entering a building during the daytime and larceny from a building in connection with an incident at the same Otter River Road home. Mr. Lafreniere reportedly later admitted to the charges. The alleged victim said Mr. Lafreniere had conducted boiler work at his home in the past and believed Mr. Lafreniere was the suspect who attacked him. On March 4, police reportedly visited a friend of the suspect — Joseph Dwyer, 52, of 226 Front St. in Winchendon — who said he did not know Mr. Lafreniere’s location. While police were interviewing Mr. Dwyer, Lori Benintendi, 48, of 475 Union St., Apt. 6 in Peterborough, N.H., approached the home. She also denied knowing Mr. Lafreniere’s location when asked by police, but officers reportedly then found someone was hiding in her vehicle, who turned out to be Mr. Lafreniere. When interviewed by police, Mr. Lafreniere denied hurting or stealing from the alleged victim and was “very cooperative” during the entire interview, according to police. Mr. Lafreniere even suggested a DNA test and consented to giving a DNA sample, according to police. “Jim was wiling to give any and all information in this case to try to find the person who may have committed these crimes,” one officer reported On March 6, the alleged victim told police Mr. Lafreniere cashed one of his stolen blank checks for $1,095. Two days later, bank officials told police the second blank check was cashed by Mr. Lafreniere for $1,450. Police obtained bank photos showing a person identified as Mr. Lafreniere cashing both checks at the Orange Bank of America branch. Mr. Dwyer later contacted police and told officers that he had driven Mr. Lafreniere to the alleged victim’s house because the suspect said the older man “owed him money.” Mr. Dwyer denied any knowledge of the alleged crime, and reportedly told police Mr. Lafreniere used the money to purchase heroin. Ms. Benintendi also came forward and turned in the shoes Mr. Lafreniere wore during the alleged crime. State police and Templeton Police Detective Derek Hall arrested Mr. Lafreniere in Athol on Monday. He was arraigned in Winchendon District Court the same day and ordered held on $2,500 cash bail. Both Mr. Dwyer and Ms. Benintendi are also being charged with misleading police. Mr. Lafreniere is due back in court for a pretrial hearing April 2.