NEW SWEDEN — According to the Maine State Police Troop F weekly report for Nov. 12-18, there were two incidents in New Sweden involving prowlers during that timeframe.
On Nov. 17 Trooper Stetson and Sgt. Harris responded after a New Sweden homeowner reported that his dog woke him up and when he looked outside, he saw a male subject standing near his barn. The homeowner went to investigate and found a male was attempting to remove parts off his bulldozer.
The homeowner left and called 911. Trooper Fuller then responded with his tracking dog Glenni and attempted a search, which led to the parking lot of a local church where it appeared the subject may have had a vehicle. The homeowner checked his barn further and did not discover anything missing. He had apparently disrupted the theft, causing the suspect to flee before getting anything.
On Nov. 18 at 4:30 a.m., Trooper Whalen responded to North Star Variety in New Sweden for a report of a suspicious male using a flashlight around the building. The caller advised she and her husband had been awakened after hearing what they thought was a gunshot. The suspect was wearing dark clothing and appeared to be holding something that looked like a gun that he secured in the front of his pants.
Trooper Whalen arrived in the area and found the man standing in the doorway of a residence. He approached the man and ordered him to put his hands up, but the man turned away and it appeared he was trying to enter the residence. Trooper Whalen was able to secure the man.
A search of the man revealed a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol in his jacket pocket. The weapon was empty with the slide locked back. A female from inside the residence informed Trooper Whalen that she was house-sitting and the man was staying with her.
The man was determined to be a convicted felon and also admitted to taking the gun from the residence without permission. The man was arrested for charges of illegally possessing a firearm, and charges of theft of a firearm are pending.
No further details regarding either incident were available at press time.
