NEWPORT — Adam Page, 22, of Derby, was sentenced to serve 18 months in prison. He will get credit for time served since being arrested in May of 2013, after he went on a crime spree that included stealing a school bus, as well as breaking into a woman’s home and stealing her dog.
Page was in court on Thursday for sentencing. Earlier in the year he pleaded guilty to five counts against him, but on Thursday he changed his plea on two of those counts to no contest.
Vermont State Police originally became involved with the investigation when they discovered a school bus totaled and abandoned on the Valley Road in Morgan.
Page had fled the scene after the crash, but the police recovered a dog belonging to Heather Murphy inside the bus.
While investigating, police learned that Page had broken into Heather Murphy’s home, and made off with her chocolate Labrador. He had stolen the bus and drove to Murphy’s home in Morgan.
Page then attempted to take a 2003 Toyota truck from Zach Alix on the Toad Pond Road. After failing to steal the Toyota, he allegedly stole a 1995 Ford truck belonging to Robert Durfey of Morgan. Durfey’s truck was located later in Derby, however, Page was never charged with these offenses.
On Thursday, Judge Howard VanBenthuysen acknowledged the letters he received on Page’s behalf. He also said that he didn’t doubt the sincerity of Page’s apology, but that Page was going to be judged based on his actions not his words.
In total, police spent more than 20 hours investigating the case, with ambulance and firefighters spending more than five hours assisting. The brand new school bus Page stole and later totaled was worth $84,000.
Page will most likely spend the remainder of his sentence at the Caledonia Community Work Camp.
