Halfmoon

A 43-year-old man on LSD drove his car through a neighbors' fence, smashed their back glass sliding door and stole their dog because he thought the house was on fire, State Police spokesman Trooper Mark Cepiel said.

Michael Orchard of Halfmoon is charged with burglary and criminal mischief, both felonies, for the Thursday night incident on Inglewood Drive.

Orchard believed he was "rescuing the dog from the house," Cepiel said. Orchard told State Police he had used acid, Cepiel said.

Orchard was standing in the road holding the unharmed dog when troopers arrived and he peacefully handed the large white pup over, Cepiel said.

"Well, he's not a cat burglar," he said.

Orchard, a resident of the neighborhood, drove the car from his property, across yards and through the fence, Cepiel said. "At no time was he on the roadway," he said.

Orchard was arraigned in Halfmoon Court and sent to Saratoga County Jail in lieu of bail.

emasters@timesunion.com • 518-454-5467 • @emilysmasters