BLAINE, Maine — Three Presque Isle residents have been charged with multiple counts of theft from area farm stands following a series of burglaries over the weekend.
On Saturday, July 22, at about 7 p.m., Maine State Police received a report that owners of a local farm stand in Blaine had their cash box damaged and the money stolen from it.
Corporal Chuck Michaud investigated the report and before the end of the evening, he learned that several farms stands in the Central Aroostook area had cash boxes broken into and the money stolen from them.
During the investigation surveillance footage obtained from some of the farm stands helped to develop a suspect vehicle and persons of interest in the crimes.
Later that evening, Cpl. Michaud located one suspect and recovered some of the cash that had been stolen as well as evidence from the crimes.
Cash boxes from farm stands in Blaine, Monticello, Easton and Westfield were broken into by the individuals, police said.
On Monday, Cpl. Michaud located two other individuals involved in the thefts. As a result of the investigation, Christopher Cyr, 39; Wendy Bartley, 42; and Patricia Hyde, 36, all of Presque Isle were charged with multiple counts of theft and criminal mischief.
Police would not state how many farm stands were burglarized, nor would they disclose how much money was taken.
The trio have court dates in Houlton District Court of Sept. 19 and Presque Isle District Court on Sept. 22. There are two different court venues due to the locations of the offenses.
The investigation is still ongoing and anyone with information, as always, is encouraged to contact the State Police at 532-5400 or on any of the MSP’s social media platforms.
