Arrests made in dirt bike thefts
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Police have arrested several individuals in connection with the June 8 theft of three dirt bikes from Harry’s Motor Sports.
The Presque Isle Police Department received a report of suspicious activity on the railroad tracks near Elm St. around 4:30 a.m. on June 8. When police officers responded, they located several individuals on the tracks who subsequently fled on foot.
“Officers discovered three new dirt bikes, with a combined value of approximately $16,000, on the rail bed that had been stolen from Harry’s Motor Sports and a sedan that was being used in the commission of that crime,” said Kevin Reed, investigating officer with the PIPD.
According to Reed, a 16-year-old male was immediately apprehended in the vicinity and taken into custody.
“He was later arrested for felony Class B theft and transported to the Aroostook County Jail in Houlton, pending his court appearance,” said Reed.
Further investigation revealed that three adult males and two females were also involved in the theft, said Reed.
“Presque Isle officers later arrested Troy J. Soucy Jr., 18, for felony Class B theft for his involvement. He was also charged with misdemeanor Class D domestic assault for an incident over the weekend. Soucy was released on bail, pending his initial court appearance,” Reed said.
Police continued to look for the other individuals, identified as Philip H. Chasse, 32, and Robert L. Fitzsimmons, 27, for their involvement in the crime.
“Chasse, Fitzsimmons and the two unidentified females are also being charged with felony Class B theft as well,” said Reed.
Reed was joined in the investigation by PIPD Officer Cole Chandler, as well as the Maine State Police because some of the suspects were implicated in a home invasion in Castle Hill just days earlier.
In the days that followed, police were able to apprehend four individuals believed to be involved in the theft of the dirt bikes.
“On June 9, at approximately 9:30 p.m., Chasse turned himself in at the PIPD where he was arrested for his involvement in the June 8 theft. Chasse was charged with felony Class B theft and released on bail, with a $5,000 unsecured bond,” said Reed.
On June 10, at approximately 3 a.m., Presque Isle officers, assisted by the MSP, served a search warrant at 24A Howard St. in Presque Isle.
“Officers secured the warrant after repeated requests for the occupants to come to the door were ignored,” explained Reed.
According to Reed, once inside the residence, officers arrested Fitzsimmons and Hilary R. Bush, 21, for felony Class B theft in connection with the June 8 thefts.
“Fitzsimmons was also charged with possession of burglar’s tools, a Class E misdemeanor. He was processed and transported to the Aroostook County Jail, pending his court appearance. Fitzsimmon’s bail was set at $5,000 cash or $25,000 surety, which he was unable to post,” he said.
Bush was additionally charged with hindering apprehension or prosecution, a Class C felony crime, and violation of conditions of release, a Class E misdemeanor.
“Bush had previous warrants for her arrest for violating a protection order, violating conditional release and two assaults. Bush was transported to the ACJ, pending her court appearance,” said Reed.
A second female was arrested later that evening and charged in connection with the theft.
“On June 10, at approximately 10 p.m., Presque Isle officers arrested Tynya L. Sutton, 18, at a local residence for her involvement in the June 8 incident. Sutton was charged with felony Class B theft and released on bail, with a $5,000 unsecured bond,” said Reed.
Reed said all suspects in the June 8 incident have been arrested, bringing the three-day investigation to a successful conclusion.
“The Presque Isle Police Department would like to thank members of the community and the Maine State Police for their assistance,” said Reed.
Anyone with information about a crime is urged to contact 764-4476.
