Metal thefts top police news
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
Two arrested for burglary
WADE — Two arrests have been made in connection with a burglary at a Wade potato farm.
“On Aug. 18, Trooper Shawn Whalen responded to a report of a burglary at the Aaron Turner potato farm in Wade. Employees at the farm had discovered that someone had gained entry to the potato house,” said Sgt. Brian Harris, Maine State Police.
Once inside, the perpetrators removed power cords from equipment stored inside.
“Once in the building, the individuals cut several electrical cords off machinery at the shop and left with the cords. Also taken were several electrical extension cords hanging on the walls,” said Harris.
According to Harris, the value of the stolen cords is estimated at $8,000.
Trooper Whalen contacted local scrap dealers to see if anyone had recently turned in such items.
“Trooper Whalen checked with a local metal recycler and discovered that a large amount of electrical copper had been turned in for scrap. Whalen followed this lead which led him to two suspects — Josh Doody, 21, of Washburn, and Matthew Tardie, 21, of Ashland,” Harris said.
“After further investigation, Doody and Tardie have both been charged with burglary, felony theft and criminal mischief,” continued Harris.
Doody is being held on a probation violation and is currently incarcerated at the Aroostook County Jail. No court date for either man was available at presstime.
Three charged with theft
MAPLETON — Three people have been charged in connection with a theft at a Parsons Road residence.
“On Aug. 15 a Mapleton man on the Parsons Road reported the theft of metal from his business valued at $2,500 to $6,000. State Police spent the week investigating the theft and on Aug. 20, Trooper Daniel Deschaine made three arrests,” said Sgt. Julie Bergan, Maine State Police.
Arrested were Leanne Lacombe, 27, Jerry York, 26, and Willie York, 31 — all of Mapleton — for felony theft of scrap metal.
“Both Willie and Jerry York were also out on bail and subsequently charged for bail violation. Jerry York was also being sought by the Presque Isle Police Department for a prior domestic assault from the previous month and was arrested for that as well,” Bergan said.
Lacombe was able to make bail and was released. Bergan said the three had stolen an antique radiator valued at up to $6,000.
The trio was scheduled to be arraigned on Aug. 22 in Presque Isle.
Businesses report metal stolen
PRESQUE ISLE — The Presque Isle Police Department is investigating reports of the theft of wiring and copper from several locations in the Star City that occurred recently.
Police received the first report on Aug. 16 around 10:47 p.m. when they received word that a trailer had been vandalized at the fairgrounds. The reporting party indicated that about 75 feet of electrical cord, valued at around $500, had been taken.
Officer Kevin Schumacher responded and determined the theft involved a pizza trailer parked by the grandstands. Schumacher confirmed a person or persons had cut and removed about 75 feet of electrical cord. Police believe the cord was most likely taken for the purpose of re-selling the copper it contained.
Around 7:38 a.m. the following day, Aug. 17, police were contacted by Roger Hoffses, a member of the Northern Maine Fair Board of Directors, who indicted a second theft had occurred. This time about 150 feet of inch-thick wiring, containing copper and valued at about $500, had been removed from the stage trailer.
Officer Larry Fickett responded and met with Hoffses, who indicated the trailer was parked by the maintenance shop at the fairgrounds when the theft occurred.
On Aug. 19, police received reports of similar thefts at two Presque Isle businesses.
Around 9:06 a.m., staff from Columbia Forest Products, located on Missile Street, advised about 200 feet of wire had been stolen from the facility. Officer Brian McQuarrie was assigned to investigate.
Police received another report around 2:15 p.m. from a man who stopped by the station reporting someone had been stealing copper for some time now from two separate buildings that are used for storage: Public Storage located on Carmichael Street and a spec building on Airport Drive. Officer McQuarrie was also assigned this case.
Police are asking anyone in the scrap metal business to be on the lookout for such materials being turned in. Anyone with information is asked to contact the PIPD at 764-4476.
