Presque Isle police have made an arrest in connection with a rash of BB-gun related vandalism, with more arrests possible.
On January 8, following interviews with two male teenagers who provided the PIPD with information about the identities of the persons responsible for damaging windows in the area with BBs in December, officers arrested Trevor Pendexter II, 20, of Washburn, charging him with felony aggravated criminal mischief.
According to the police log, an 18-year-old male from Washburn came to the station with his parents on Jan. 8, stating he’d been in a car with Matthew Howes, 20, of Presque Isle, and Pendexter one night just before Christmas. He told Officer Kevin Reed, PIPD, both Howes and Pendexter shot out several windows around the city. The youth also indicated two other males, a 17-year-old from Crouseville and an 18-year-old from Washburn, were also in the vehicle. The teen provided a written statement and told police the locations where the shots were fired.
Trooper Fred Thomas, Maine State Police, transported Pendexter to the PIPD, where Reed did an interview. Pendexter provided a written statement as well.
Officer Roy Guidry of the Washburn Police Department also came to the PIPD, where he interviewed the three subjects in connection with similar incidents in his town.
Pendexter was arrested after the interviews.
Officer Kevin Schumacher, PIPD, subsequently interviewed Matthew Howes, who is currently on active duty in the Army, stationed in Germany, via phone. Schumacher planned a follow-up interview at a later date.
Pendexter was given a Superior Court date of April 21. He was released on $5,000 surety, with numerous conditions.
The PIPD investigated numerous complaints of windows reportedly damaged or broken by BBs between Dec. 22 and 31, 2010, including:
• Dec. 22 — car window on vehicle parked at Marden’s; car window on vehicle parked at K-Mart; car window on vehicle parked at mall food court parking lot; and two car windows on a car parked at the JC Penney lot;
• Dec. 23 — Cushman’s Embroidery, Maple St., three business windows; North Street Auto, North St., two business windows and five car windows; Rosella’s, North St., two business windows; and a windshield of car in mall food court parking lot;
• Dec. 25 — apartment window and front door, Budget Traveler’s Apartments, Houlton Road; and Merchants on the Corner, Main St., four business windows;
• Dec. 26 — three house windows on Cook St.;
• Dec. 27 — Dick’s Transmission, State St., two business windows;
• Dec. 29 — Hand-Me-Down Antiques, Main St., a business window; and
• Dec. 31 — MPG Truck & Tractor, Main St., three business windows.
Washburn police have also investigated numerous reports in that community.
“Officer Guidry is investigating at least six reports of damage from BBs, including: a person’s van window, a window at White’s Service on Main St., a windshield on a personal vehicle, house siding near a window on a home, windows at Head to Toes salon and reports at the Rec Department of the van and building being hit. All incidents occurred around the week of Christmas,” said Chief Doug Conroy, WPD.
Law enforcement staff believes other properties may have been hit but the owners just haven’t noticed the damage yet.
“We suspect others will come to light as time passes,” said Conroy.
“I’ve also heard similar cases were reported in Caribou,” said Thomas.
Schumacher said additional charges may be brought as more information becomes available.
“We’re continuing to investigate but expect more individuals may be charged,” said Schumacher.
Police estimate the damage at over $10,000.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the PIPD at 764-4476 or WPD at 455-4043.
