PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — A landlord in Presque Isle is facing burglary, theft and criminal trespassing charges for allegedly stealing hunting guns and other valuables from a tenant owing rent.
On July 17, the tenants living at a rental home at 40 Allen St. called police to say their dwelling had been broken into, with a shotgun, rifle and two knifes reported missing, according to a report from the Presque Isle Police Department.
Following an investigation by the Presque Isle police, the landlord, 62-year-old David Crowell, was charged with burglary, theft and criminal trespassing for allegedly taking the items.
According to Presque Isle police detective Kris Beck, Crowell was owed an unknown amount of back-due rent. Beck added that landlords should seek legal counsel and follow legal processes when it comes to disputes with tenants.
Presque Isle Police Chief Matt Irwin wrote about the incident on the department’s Facebook page to shine a light on a common issue seen by the police — landlord-renter disputes — that often cannot be remedied by the police.
“While most tenants are of little concern to the property owners from whom they rent, if you find yourself stuck with a problematic tenant, please seek legal advice on how to proceed so you don’t further complicate your situation,” Irwin wrote in the post.
