ROCHESTER— Police are asking residents for help identifying the men who stole a pickup which could have been used for other crimes before being burned early this morning.

 

Police, firefighters and emergency personnel responded around 2:12 a.m. after receiving a report of a vehicle fire on the railroad tracks along Whitehall Road. Officers found a silver 2005 Ford Ranger fully engulfed in flames, which were quickly extinguished by firefighters.

 

Investigators determined the pickup had been stolen from a home in Alton and could have been used in an attempted burglary in Farmington before being abandoned and set ablaze by two men, according to police.

 

Alton Police Chief Ryan Heath said the truck was stolen from a home at 298 Main St., but the owner didn't notice it was missing until officers came to the home around 2:40 a.m.

 

Heath said detectives are meeting with their counterparts in Farmington and Rochester .Farmington Police Chief Kevin Willey said the truck may be connected to an attempted burglary incident around 2 a.m. at the Farmington Lil General Store on Route 11.

 

Willey said someone attempted to enter the store, but left after the alarm sounded.

 

"We are investigating to determine whether the truck recovered in Rochester was our suspect vehicle," Willey said.

 

Anyone with information about the crimes is encouraged to contact officer Matt Leccacorvi at 330-7128. Anonymous tips can also be submitted via the Rochester Crime Line at 335-6500 or by texting CRIMES (274637) Body of Text: TEXT4CASH + your tip. Cash rewards are offered for information that leads to an arrest.