Burglar’s Retirement Plan, Aug. 5

News release from the Newport PD.  On August 1, 2014, Newport Police Officers were dispatched on a report of a burglary in progress. A homeowner had returned from work to find that someone had been inside the home. The television was left on, and a large pile of the suspect’s clothing was left inside the residence. It appeared the suspect had taken a shower, used the homeowner’s bed, and been inside the residence for a lengthy period of time. At the time of the call, the homeowner did not know if the suspect was still inside the residence.  Newport Police Officers arrived and searched the residence. It appeared the burglar was startled by the homeowner’s arrival, and fled the scene through a back door. Officers located the suspect’s clothing, wallet, and several pieces of paperwork that identified him as Lennie Joe Fadness, age 52, a transient from the Newport area.  Officers searched the surrounding area, tracking Fadness to the beach, where his tracks disappeared. At about 11:20 p.m., while Officers were still processing the burglary scene, the homeowner’s dog began barking aggressively. Officers discovered Fadness near the residence, clad only in his underwear. Fadness told Officers he had gotten cold, and returned to the residence because he didn’t have any clothing. Fadness told Officers he had entered the victim’s home because his “retirement plan” was to get sent to prison.  Fadness was arrested and lodged at the Lincoln County Jail. He was charged with Buglary 1st Degree; Criminal Trespass 1st Degree; Theft 3rd Degree; and Criminal Trespass 3rd Degree. His bail was set at $130,000.  The victim reported ongoing problems with people camping in the wooded area near the home, and thefts from their residence. The Newport Police Department encourages citizens to contact the Police when they witness illegal camping sites, or other illegal acts.