CT residents accused of stealing, scrapping railroad tracks from historic railroad

Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant
·2 min read
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Two people have been arrested on larceny and conspiracy charges for allegedly dismantling nearly half a mile of railroad tracks used for the Essex Steam Train and selling the metal to a number of scrap yards.

Nicole S. Hooghkirk, 38, and Jason A. Hubbard, 47, both of Clinton, were charged this month after Environmental Conservation Police identified them as suspects in a theft reported in February at the Connecticut Valley Railroad State Park in Old Saybrook, according to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

EnCon police began investigating on Feb. 26 after learning that two individuals were seen dismantling and removing sections of railroad track behind Tractor Supply in Old Saybrook, according to DEEP.

The Connecticut Valley Railroad State Park and the railroad tracks have been owned by DEEP since the agency purchased them in 1967. DEEP leases the railroad tracks to the Valley Railroad Company, which operates under the “Essex Steam Train and Riverboat.” The company runs vintage steam and diesel locomotives and passenger coaches on 12 miles of track, including the “North Pole Express” during the holidays.

According to DEEP, Hooghkirk and Hubbard dismantled 0.4 miles of track and sold it at various scrap yards. The track was later repaired and restored for safe use.

Hooghkirk and Hubbard were taken into custody April 9 by members of the Clinton Police Department and subsequently charged by EnCon police. They each face charges of first-degree damage to railroad property, conspiracy to commit first-degree damage to railroad property, first-degree criminal mischief, conspiracy to commit first-degree criminal mischief, fourth-degree larceny, conspiracy to commit fourth-degree larceny, second-degree reckless endangerment and conspiracy to commit second-degree reckless endangerment.

DEEP said the suspects were identified following a lengthy investigation by EnCon police with the assistance of the Valley Railroad Company.

Hooghkirk and Hubbard were each initially held on $25,000 bond and arraigned the same day they were charged in Middletown Superior Court.

According to DEEP, Hooghkirk was later released from custody. Her case has been statutorily sealed from the public, court records show.

Hubbard remains held in lieu of $5,000 bond and is due back in court on May 24, records show. He has not entered a plea to the charges.