Man Sentenced For Old Lyme Burglary That No One Noticed

Waylon Verley, 19, of Norwich was sentenced yesterday to 30 months in prison for a burglary and arson that happened in Old Lyme. But if he hadn't confessed, police would never have known about the crime because no burglary was ever reported. 

When a shed at 43 Saunders Hollow Road in Old Lyme burned down on November 28, 2011, the property owner, Roger Weissenger knew he lost personal items in the fire but he didn't think the blaze had been set intentionally. An investigation by the fire marshal was unable to determine the cause of the fire, but there was no evidence to suggest it was suspicious. 

According to the arrest affidavit, Verley spontaneously confessed to the Old Lyme break-in and the fire he set to cover it up while Norwich Police were interviewing him in connection with another burglary that happened in Preston on November 15, 2011.

Verley told police he broke in with the intention of stealing firearms that he believed were kept in the shed, found only ammunition—which he said he took—then he set the fire because he wasn't wearing gloves and he wanted to destroy any potential evidence.

Verley was charged with burglary in the third degree, larceny in the fourth degree, and arson in the second degree for the crime in Old Lyme and with larceny in the first degree and burglary in the third degree for a September 12, 2011 burglary in Norwich. 

He was sentenced to 10 years, of which he was ordered to serve 30 months, followed by five years probation.