Middletown Man Vandalized Dinosaur Tracks In Massachusetts: PD

Middletown CT

03 September, 2021

12:22 AM

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MIDDLETOWN, CT — Two men are accused of vandalizing fossilized dinosaur tracks in Massachusetts, according to police. Stephan Miller, 41, of Middletown, and Jack Boyland, 30, of New Jersey, were arrested over the weekend in connection with the incident in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Holyoke police responded to the area on Northampton Street known as the Dinosaur Tracks around 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 28, according to Holyoke Police Capt. Matthew F. Moriarty. "The tracks can be found along a short trail that starts at a turn-out off of Route 5 in Holyoke," Moriarty wrote in a news release. "The main track site is a tilted slab of sandstone just next to the road. More prints can be found on rock slabs along the Connecticut River." Holyoke police officers encountered two men who were "carrying tools and slabs of rock," according to Moriarty. The men, who were later identified as Boyland and Miller, said they didn't believe they were digging on the Dinosaur Reservation area, according to Moriarty. "A check of the Reservation map was made and it appears their digging was on the protected land," Moriarty said. Boyland and Miller were arrested and charged with vandalism, archeological violation and trespass. Moriarty said investigators received a video in connection with the incident and are continuing to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Holyoke Police Department's Criminal Investigation Bureau at 413-322-6900.