Second Arrest Made in July Dirt Bike Theft

Police have made a second arrest in a March dirt bike theft, closing a case that involved a state police investigation once the bike appeared on the popular website Craigslist.org.

Officers booked Mark J. LaFrance, of 159 W. Center St. in Southington, on charges of third-degree burglary and fifth-degree larceny last week. LaFrance was released after posting a $1,000 bond and is due in Bristol Superior Court for arraignment on Aug. 15.

LaFrance, 20, was initially identified as a suspect after police said the victim saw his car pulling away from his house with someone riding the Kawasaki kx250 dirt bike behind him.

Police were unable to gain enough evidence for an arrest, however – until the victim recognized the bike on Craigslist and contacted the Bristol man attempting to sell it.

“He went to look at the bike and told the man, ‘that’s my bike’,” said Sgt. Lowell DePalma. “He contacted state police and they were in touch with detectives who confirmed the vehicle identification number. The Bristol man cooperated throughout the investigation.”

The Bristol man was able to give a description and names of both LaFrance and Joseph Testa, who was arrested on a warrant July 19.

Testa, of 368 Jude Lane in Southington, was incarcerated on unrelated charges. He was charged with fifth-degree larceny, sixth-degree larceny, third-degree burglary and third-degree criminal mischief and remains in state custody in lieu of bonds in several cases.