Police investigate recent thefts
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — The Presque Isle Police Department is investigating several thefts that occurred in the past week throughout the city, with the most recent case involving theft of thousands of dollars in belongings at a storage unit on Industrial Street.
Sgt. Eric Erickson, PIPD, responded to a call from the renter of the unit around 3:31 p.m. Sunday, March 10, reporting suspicious activity at the site and that the lock had been changed. Erickson made contact with the owner of the rental units, Dana Buck, to try to determine what occurred. Buck indicated he had not changed the locks and was able to gain access by cutting the lock. Once open, the renter determined several items were missing, including tools and furniture, as well as a handmade unfinished pine hope chest her father had made for her.
Erickson determined the Presque Isle couple renting the unit were at the site last Tuesday and everything appeared normal at that time. He indicated a large vehicle was likely used, since several of the items taken were larger pieces. The couple were asked to provide an itemized list once they’d had the chance to go through the unit to determine what was missing. The estimated value of what was stolen is over $5,000.
On Tuesday, March 5, around 8:50 a.m. an official with Mic Mac Housing reported some furnace testing equipment had been stolen, with a value of $1,800. Det. William Scull, PIPD, was assigned to investigate.
Around 5:16 p.m. on March 5, a Birch Street resident reported a Samsung Galaxy tablet stolen from her home. Det. Scull was assigned to the case.
On Wednesday, March 6, at 15:36 p.m. a tenant of the Helen Noreen Apartments on Rainbow Road reported she’d had a Playstation 3 and a digital camera taken from her home. Officer Kevin Schumacher responded to investigate.
An official with Maine Northern Railway reported around 9:56 a.m. on Friday, March 8, that someone had broken into their building behind MPG. Nothing appeared to be taken but the doors had been kicked in. Det. Scull responded. Extra patrols were requested in the area.
Eva Kirk, owner of Hand Me Down Antiques on Main Street, notified the PIPD on Friday, March 8, 1:21 p.m. of a theft of merchandise at her store. Det. Scull was assigned, assisted by Officer Joey Seeley.
Anyone with information about these crimes, call the PIPD at 764-4476.
