Three troopers with the Maine State Police are currently investigating burglaries last week at churches in Mapleton, Stockholm and Caribou.
“Police are seeking the public’s help with a series of church burglaries around the northern part of Aroostook County. Last week between Monday, April 20, and Thursday, April 23, three churches located in Mapleton, Stockholm and Caribou were broken into and items either stolen or disturbed,” said Sgt. Josh Haines, of the Maine State Police.
At least one item believed to have been taken from one of the churches was recovered by the Presque Isle Police Department.
On Tuesday, April 21, the Presque Isle Police Department received a call around 7:52 a.m. reporting a safe had been found at Stow-It Self Storage on the Houlton Road in Presque Isle. In the police log, the caller indicated the item was “broken open and there are papers everywhere.”
While officers were responding, contact was made with the MSP and the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office to see if either had received reports of a safe being stolen recently. Both departments initially indicated neither had received such a report. Later, however, the log indicated Trooper Nick Casavant was able to determine the safe was stolen from a church in Mapleton.
The PIPD case, as well as the evidence, was turned over to the MSP for further investigation.
“Anyone with information or witnessing suspicious activity around area churches is encouraged to contact the MSP for Trooper Casavant at 532-5400 or the Caribou Police Department at 493-3301,” said Haines.
Churches involved included: the St. Therese Parish Catholic Church in Stockholm, the Methodist Church in Mapleton and Bethel Holiness Pentecostal Church in Caribou. Also assisting in the investigation were Troopers Dennis Quint and Travis Luce. Additional information on the manner of entry made and what, if any, other items were taken are not being released pending further investigation.
