MOUNT VERNON — On Feb. 1, two Knox County men were arrested in Licking County on charges of burglarizing a Licking County home.
Licking County Sheriff’s deputies stopped Michael V. Bessette Jr., whose last known address was 17204 Murray Road, Mount Vernon, and Dale A. Woody, whose last known address was 7 Stump St., Mount Vernon. Bessette and Woody were followed by neighbors of the burglarized house and stopped by deputies based on information provided by those neighbors. Deputies found stolen items from the house on Woody’s person, as well as other items stolen from the house in the car.
The Licking County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the incident.
Licking County Assistant Prosecutor Chris Reamer would not comment on the investigation, except to say the Licking County Sheriff is investigating multiple incidents in multiple counties in regard to Bassette and Woody.
“We have not done a formal press release on this yet,” said Detective Sgt. Chris Slayman of the LCSO. “This is because so many other agencies are wanting to work with these two individuals.”
Incident reports from the LCSO had not been received by the News as of press time.
Whether the investigation includes Knox County and the rash of incidents in the Bladensburg area, including the murder of Jean Davis, is not clear.
Knox County Sheriff David Barber said his office is working with Licking County officials on the case.
“All I can say at this point is my detectives are working with Licking County investigators to determine if there is a connection between the two suspects they have in custody and some of the currently unsolved burglaries and breaking and enterings that have been occurring in Knox County,” he said.
Both Bassette and Woody have criminal records in Knox County. According to the Knox County Court of Common Pleas Web site, Woody has been convicted of receiving stolen property, forgery and aggravated assault. Bassette has been convicted of breaking and entering.
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