By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
HOULTON, Maine — Video surveillance and evidence at the scene of Ferris Qwik Stop after an early morning break-in June 28 has police looking at two adult suspects. The convenience store at 135 Military Street had not opened for business at 5:45 a.m. when thieves apparently entered by breaking the glass door with rocks and making a quick getaway.
After stealing several cartons of Marlboro cigarettes, they “never touched the cash register” and they were in and out in about 30 seconds according to Detective Carolyn Crandall. She also confirmed that the owner of an unlocked, abandoned house nearby notified the officer on the scene, Jared Sylvia, that a white trash bag with four packs of unopened Marlboro cigarettes was inside the property.
Police say the thieves cut a telephone wire and caused more than $800 in damages to the store. The suspects potentially face a number of charges in the including burglary, criminal mischief and theft. HPD is urging anyone with information to call headquarters at 532-2287 or the anonymous tip line at 694-3545.
Danforth woman sentenced in postal theft
BANGOR — U.S. District Judge John Woodcock sentenced Joy Gillis of Danforth to three years probation, a $1,000 fine, restitution and court-ordered counseling for her guilty plea to stealing nearly $5,000 in postal money. Gillis, 56, is the former Vanceboro postmaster. She, reportedly, has made restitution and said she stole the money to feed a gambling habit with money customers paid for stamps and money orders. She had worked for the postal service for nearly two decades.
ISLAND FALLS — Maine State Police arrested Paul Breton, 26, June 26 on a charge of Class B felony theft for allegedly misappropriating town funds. Breton, the deputy fire chief, presented receipts “in the tens of thousands of dollars” that had nothing to do with the department, according to Trooper Timmy Saucier who added that there are no other suspects.
Town Clerk Cheryl McNally confirmed that Breton is on administrative leave but, it has not affected town services. According to Maine State Police Breton has been cooperating with investigators and admitted to the misappropriation of funds.
The East Millinocket Fire Department has temporarily suspended its contract to receive paramedic ambulance service from the Island Falls Fire Department where Breton had also been a paramedic — one of two paramedics who served East Millinocket’s ambulance service through the contract.
DOT saves Houlton tourist center
HOULTON — In more cost-cutting moves, the Maine Department of Transportation, has closed two rest areas along Interstate 95 in Pittsfield and privatized custodial services at five other rest areas along I-95 and I-295.
The rest areas at Kittery, Yarmouth, Hampden, Medway and Houlton will remain open. DOT has awarded a contract to Bangor Abatement, Inc., in a competitive bidding process, to maintain the outside grounds and interior of the buildings in Hampden, Medway and Houlton. Pegasus Cleaning Corp. of Buffalo, N.Y. was awarded the contract for the rest areas in Kittery and Yarmouth.
