SPRINGFIELD, Vt. -- A father and son, charged with committing a rash of thefts and burglaries in more than a half-dozen communities in southern Vermont in recent months, did so to feed their heroin addictions, state police said.

Massachusetts State Police arrested the pair, along with a third suspect, last year in Bernardston, Mass., after a traffic stop on Route 5 yielded 300 bags of heroin.

Vermont State Police have cited Michael and David Farnsworth, ages 26 and 59, respectively, in connection with thefts and burglaries committed in October and November in Springfield, Andover, Ludlow, Weathersfield, Rockingham, Cavendish and West Windsor.

The property was then sold to support their heroin addictions, according to a release issued by state police.

Both father and son live in Springfield.

State police said many items have been returned to their rightful owners.

State police have also cited Zachary McNeill, 23, of Springfield; and Joshua Congdon, 36, of North Springfield; in connection with the case. McNeil accompanied the Farnsworths on several occasions and Congdon committed one burglary with Michael Farnsworth.

Michael Farnsworth was cited to appear in Vermont Superior Court in White River Junction on Dec. 29 for 14 counts of burglary, 10 counts of possession/selling stolen property, two counts of petit larceny and seven counts of unlawful mischief. He was cited to appear in the same court on Jan. 12 for five counts of burglary, four counts possession/selling stolen property and a single count of petit larceny.

David Farnsworth was cited to appear the same court on Dec. 29 for 13 counts of burglary, six counts of possession/selling stolen property and two counts of petit larceny He was also cited to appear on Jan. 12 for five counts of burglary, three counts of possession/selling stolen property and a single count of petit larceny

McNeill was cited to appear on Dec. 29 for six counts of burglary and two counts of petit larceny. He was also cited to appear on Jan/ 12 for a single count of burglary.

Congdon was cited to appear for a single count of burglary on Jan. 19.

There are additional charges from the Springfield and Chester police departments. New Hampshire State Police and police from Newport, N.H., also participated in the investigation.