This story is just breaking and deserves a special mention.
Man tells police he has lived in woods for past 20 years
Buried in the thick woods of northern Warren County, 2 miles from the nearest road, was a testament to human adaptability.
A tarp-covered lean-to loaded with clothing, sleeping bags and provisions — items believed to have been stolen from seasonal homes around the Brant Lake region — was his residence, at least for the last several months.
The man police believe endured the elements of the Adirondacks in a pine-branch shelter was Alan G. Como, 56, whose last known address was in Massachusetts, police said. He told police he’d lived in the woods for the past 20 years.
This guy had been breaking in and burglarizing camps for gear – for 20 years!! Seems he started near Chazy Lake and began moving south after he was detected.
Big and muscular with little fat on his body, police said he is in remarkably good shape for someone his age who has apparently lived in the woods for at least several years.
“He’s a pro. He knows what he’s doing,” Cleveland said.
Only items needed for survival — clothes, sleeping bags, food and batteries — were taken during the burglaries, with the thief leaving behind valuables like jewelry and electronics, the sheriff said.
Here’s the best account of his capture:
For over a year, Warren County Sheriffs Deputies and State Police have been looking for a man living in camps in the middle of the woods, stealing items here and there from camps in northern Warren County.
“A lot of people seen him and whatnot, but they just weren’t able to catch up to him,” says Paul Smith, with the Horicon Highway Department.
Until Wednesday, the arrest of 59-year-old Alan Como came on the heels of a Tuesday morning tip from two Horicon snowplow operators who saw something that just did not look right.
“2:30 in the morning, somebody is out on a bicycle and there is two-inches of snow on the road…something is going on,” says Mark Younes, with the Horicon Highway Department.
There was a bike trail in the snow that the plows followed along their route.
“I finally tracked him out on to Pallisades Road, which eventually leaded to Beaver Pond Road,” Younes says. “Then that was the end of my route, and one of the other plow guys picked the track up from there.”
The plow operator followed the tracks in the snow until they went over the snow bank and left the road.
“They sent up some investigators…Mark and I went up to show them where he went over the bank, and they took it from there,” says Smith.
After two days of scouring the woods, on Wednesday, deputies found Como’s latest campsite.
“(It was) about two-miles in, way back in the deep woods…(we) spooked this guy out of his place,” says Warren County Sheriff Larry Cleveland.
Then, a nearly two-mile foot chase ensued, until Como ran into uniformed officers waiting for him.
I don’t know what to make of this. Sort of reminds me of famous Adirondack hermits of the past and even some people I know who live in “houses”.
Noah John Rondeau, Adirondack hermit
Life With Noah: Stories and Adventures of Richard Smith
More:
Adirondack Bushman Charged With Mischief
Look, I don’t support what this guy has done, but this story is sounding more like First Blood than a case-study in law-enforcement and prosecution. They are hitting him with a felony count based on the estimated value of a tree.
Screwed: Adirondack Beaver Pond Hermit Alan Como
We’re certainly not condoning a hermit’s theft of minor items from isolated camps. That’s a crime that should be punished. But the Beaver Pond Hermit case is a clear signal that if you choose to live outside the boundaries of mainstream society, you may find yourself a target for the police state.
Which one of us is this?
Not me… but what I dont get is if he is so good at living in the woods, why did he resort to stealing peoples camping equipment… and batteries for crying out loud?
Burglary victim: Mountain man shouldn’t be idolized
Como’s appearance in Horicon Town Court was brief Wednesday afternoon. Wearing a black-and-white jail jumpsuit and blue denim jacket, his legs and hands were bound with manacles and handcuffs.
Warren County Sheriff Has A File On You
According to Cleveland, his department has access to your tax records, they know who your relatives are, if you hold any licenses, and your prior addresses – all pretty well expected, but they apparently have ANOTHER 20 PAGES of your life stored away somewhere as well.
Police trace the murky trail of a mountain man
After three years — winters and all — in the rugged southern Adirondacks, Como, 56, has a new indoor home in Cell 21 of Pod C in the Warren County Jail.
Alan Como, throwback or futurist? at greenInk
Here’s hoping Mr. Como will get out of jail soon, lift a good sleeping bag and a tent on his way out of town, and disappear into the woods again.
Audio Program about Modern Hoboes
Gerry talks to some of the dwindling number of modern day hoboes and visits the National Hobo Convention in Iowa. via boingboing.net
Man formerly living in Clinton County woods arrested for burglary
The woodsman … told State Police …he was living deep in the woods near Chazy Lake about two winters ago. … several local residents reported unusual camp break-ins where the thief took only basic household and clothing necessities, leaving behind ite
Bushman’ lives in Adirondacks for 20 years :: SuperTopo
“Thoreau was a bum who lived on handouts from neighbors.”
SU: adirondackbasecamp.com/2007/01/adirondack-bushman/
“This guy is my new hero.”
Mountain Hermit Caught by Police – ShortNews
“I had no idea it was open season on Mountain Hermits. Does anyone know what the limit is? And I just have to ask, how do they taste?”
Man tells police he has lived in woods for past 20 years – Adirondack Forum
“It is simple. he’s a thief. Doesn’t make any difference what he did or didn’t steal. the mans a thief, by definition and by law.” “And I’d appreciate it if you’d chill out while replying to my posts, boss!”
“Bushman” Caught in the Adirondaks – after 20 years
My guess is, his trial + incarceration will cost five times more than the total cost of the items he stole over those 20 years…
Bushcraft skills? – Adirondack Forum
I would like to learn how to identify and prepare edible wild plants, start fires with a bow and make cordage from barks and herbaceous plants. Other skills like building shelter, container fabrication and snare setting would be cool to learn also.
Our Father
I will not lie when I tell you that all my stereotypical images of what a “drop-out” would look like were personified in the incarcerated visage of one Alan G. Como.
Adirondack Bushman – BushcraftUK: Community
20 years in the woods is a long time! I suspect there are a lot more people living like this in developed countries. They should let him go!
French Louie’s old camp on Pillsbury? – Adirondack Forum
Alan Como only had to find the right audience to become a legend like French Louie. Wrong time and place.
How much info should be shared – Adirondack Forum
Modern-day French Louie? Or a homeless guy with skills?
A new “hermit”? – ADKHighPeaks Forums
ADKHighPeaks Forums – Discussion
After decades, relatives discover whereabouts of ‘Mountain Man’ – Gee, I wonder where this story came from? Thanks for reading Don.
Can You Live Outside Society? – I like to stay on “the fringe”.
i rember his dad was a good guy