Two local men arraigned in string of burglaries

Two local men were arraigned Wednesday in Norwich Superior Court on charges that they participated in a string of burglaries, including one in which they set a shed on fire to cover their tracks.

Austin Zajac, 18, of Preston and Safi Kachmar, 18, of Norwich were each charged with two counts of third-degree burglary, fourth-degree larceny, second-degree arson, first-degree arson and second-degree arson.

Police said on Nov. 15 they were notified of a burglary that occurred at a home on Krug Road. The victims said that computer items, video games, televisions, and jewelry were stolen from the home. The value of the stolen items was more than $16,000, the warrant said.

State police told the victims to look for the stolen items on Craigslist. The victim called police on Dec. 7 to say they found some of their items on the site.

Police attempted to set up a meeting and buy some of the items. The seller, who identified himself as Waylon, said he was driving a red Corvette and would meet them in Norwich, but he later said the items were sold and never showed up.

State police contacted Norwich police and asked if they knew of any thieves in the area that drove a Corvette. Norwich police identified Waylon Verley as a possible suspect, the warrant said. Verley and Kachmar were already suspects in several burglaries in the area, including the theft of $60,000 in coins.

Police spoke to Verley who confessed to his role in the Preston burglary. He also told police that sometime in November, he, Zajac and Kachmar also robbed a home on Saunders Hollow Road in Old Lyme because they were looking for guns. They broke into a shed and stole some ammunition. They did not find any guns. They burned the shed when they thought a car was coming.

Police said that Zajac dated a girl who lived in the Preston home and had Thanksgiving dinner at the Old Lyme home.

Police anticipate more arrests.

Zajac's case was continued to Feb. 10 while Kachmar's next court date is on Feb. 21.