Dirt Bikes Stolen From Vernon Motorcycle Business at Historic Mill

VERNON, CT — Vernon police are looking for thieves who broke into a section of the New England Motorcycle Museum early Wednesday morning and took dirt bikes.

The crime was captured on video through the museum's state-of-the-art surveillance system. Police also released still images of the theft.

The museum is located at the old Hockanum Mill complex, 200 West Main St., in the Rockville section of town. The building houses a showroom and a repair business. Restored bikes are also sold at auction. Local entrepreneur Ken Kaplan purchased the property in 2013 and has been restoring the historic circa 1800s mill with the help of state and federal assistance.

The dirt bikes were stolen shortly after 2 a.m. on Wednesday, police said. It appears that two white men in their 20s wearing hooded sweatshirts smashed windows and broke into the complex and stole a red 1996 Honda CR250 motocross motorcycle and a blue 2014 Yamaha YZ250 motocross motorcycle, police said.

Police on Thursday morning said a third person could be involved.

Vernon police said anyone with information on the crime can contact Officer Artur Czupryna at 860-872-9126, Ext 2028.

The case remains under investigation, police said.

Photo Credit: Kaplan Cycles/Vernon Police; Video Credit: You Tube