Four charged in Linneus burglary

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    LINNEUS — State police have charged four individuals with burglarizing the home of a woman who was attending her husband’s funeral Oct. 3.
    On Monday, Oct. 3, Maine State Trooper Dennis Quint responded to a burglary at Barbara McGuire’s residence in Linneus. Mrs. McGuire and her family had just returned from attending her husband, local businessman’s, Darrell McGuire’s funeral, and while they were gone an unknown person or persons entered the home. Once inside, the individuals rummaged through the home, taking several items in the process, according to Sgt. Brian Harris of the Maine State Police.
    In the Oct. 5 edition of The Houlton Pioneer Times, the McGuire family took out an advertisement offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person or persons involved in this crime.
    “The reward and media coverage on the sensationalism of the crime contributed to tips we received,” Harris said.
    Det. Darrin Crane of the Evidence Response Team assisted in the investigation, and evidence found at the scene was examined for clues.
    On Thursday, Oct. 6, two suspects were arrested in the burglary. Cheryl Sawyer, 32, of Linneus and Phil Buzzeo, 33, of Houlton were charged with receiving stolen property.
    Two other individuals — Amanda Berry, 26, of Weston and Halston Wiley, 30, of Houlton were arrested in Bangor Friday with the assistance of Troopers in Troop E (Orono Barracks) and Bangor Police Department.
    Berry was charged with burglary, theft, violation of conditions of release and possession of drugs. Wiley was arrested for burglary and theft.
    As a result of the investigation, additional charges of burglary were added to Buzzeo and Sawyer from their Oct. 3 arrest. A significant amount of the stolen jewelry was recovered during the investigation, Harris said.
    Harris said jewelry, coins and a handgun were among the items stolen from the McGuire property. The value was estimated in the thousands of dollars, he said. Police have recovered some of the jewelry and coins.
    Berry, Wiley, Buzzeo and Sawyer were transported to the Aroostook County Jail in Houlton where they remain. No further charges are expected.