Police arrest pair for IGA break-in

By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — Adam Maguire, a 24-year-old Houlton man, was arrested Friday in the alleged Nov. 10  break-in and robbery of Andy’s IGA on North Street in Houlton. This followed an arrest earlier in the week of 25-year-old John Belyea of Smyrna Mills on the same charges. 
    According to police, both men worked together most recently at a local restaurant. Belyea is also a former employee of Andy’s IGA whose employment had been terminated there at some point prior to the break-in.
    “No comment” was the restaurant manager’s response on the case against the two men. Their bail stipulates that they are not allowed to have any contact with each other. Because both are married with families and ties to the community, they are not considered flight risks by Houlton Police Department.
Home for Christmas
    In an exclusive interview with the Pioneer Times, Maguire says he is married with three children and, with financial help from his parents, will try to find an attorney. He also said: “I was going to be in jail for Christmas,” and he’s glad to be released to go home to his family. He is out on unsecured $5,000 bond according to police.
    Belyea, who could not be contacted at presstime, was bailed out by his wife. According to court records, she paid $2,000 cash bail following his arraignment in Caribou.
Potential charges
    Physical evidence processed at the scene of the crime, according to Detective Carolyn Crandall, led to  arrests in the month-old case that still has an ongoing investigation. Crandall and Assistant District Attorney Patrick Gordon wouldn’t comment on whether or not others are being pursued in the case. Belyea,  charged with one Class B felony and four Class C felonies, could face a maximum 10 years in jail and a $20,000 fine according to Gordon. He says it’s too early to talk about any possible deal regarding charges in the alleged robbery and he had no comment on potential charges against Maguire.
    At the time of his arrest, police were questioning Belyea during a follow-up interview after he had waived his Miranda rights. According to the police department Belyea said he was going to leave and that’s when they told him “you’re under arrest.” Police say he was upset but did not resist being held in custody.
Reactions
    Crandall said the arrests were the result of a “joint effort” in her work with Sergeant Eric Crouse and the ongoing investigation means “there are more leads to follow because the work is far from done.” The store’s video surveillance system, several thousand dollars and cartons of cigarettes were stolen after a torch was used to cut into the overhead loading dock door. A torch was also used to get into the store’s safe. Andy Marino, owner of Andy’s IGA, would only say that he is “very pleased with the work the Houlton Police Department has done under the auspices of Detective Carolyn Crandall. They have made great headway in the case.”