Sleds stolen, reward offered

By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — Police are investigating the alleged theft of two used snowsleds from Houlton Power Sports on the North Road last Sunday morning sometime between 12:45 a.m. and 1:10 a.m. according to surveillance-camera time stamps. General Manager, Ben Adams, says he watched the theft on surveillance video and “they knew what they were doing.”
    At first, says Adams, when he went into work around 5 a.m. Monday, he had hoped that one missing sled had been picked up over the weekend by the owner. To his dismay, the two sleds, valued around $18,000 combined, were, in fact, missing. One sled, a black 2007 F1000 was on the side of the property. The other, an orange 2008 Crossfire 1000 SP was in front. And, the alleged thieves appeared to be youthful, based on their agility. Adams says he watched them “jumping and diving” to avoid the multiple cameras and passing cars. They may have stopped to gas up at the 24-hour Irving station, according to Adams, since one sled was low on fuel.
    Although the two were covered head to toe, including helmets, and the snowstorm covered footprints, police are working multiple leads and a tip. Based on surveillance video, Adams says, police have a good idea of the size, weight and height of the two alleged perpetrators. Information is being shared with the state police, border patrol and game wardens. Patrol Officer Jared Sylvia is working leads for the Houlton Police Department.
Adams says his company is offering a $500 reward for information leading to the return of the sleds and who took them.