Staff Writer
Three local men are facing up to 20 years in prison for allegedly burglarizing several residences and vehicles in the East Presque Isle Road vicinity, according to Caribou Police Chief Michael Gahagan.
Jared Thompson, 19, of Caribou, John Sam, 19, of Connor and Robert Suire, 27, of Caribou faced six counts of burglary and theft, Class C crimes.
Thompson also faces a charge of possession of stolen property. Suire was charged with violating a condition of release on a previous charge and with possession of scheduled drugs, according to the chief.
The charges stem from a string of burglaries that started the night of July 8. Gahagan said that about $10,000 in property, that included tools, purses and one firearm, which added to the seriousness of the charges.
The spree may have continued on July 9 had not police been notified of a suspicious pick-up truck in the area that contained a generator, which was traced back to one of the burglarized residences, according to Gahagan.
About $8,000 of the stolen goods, retrieved from Thompson’s property, has been recovered, Gahagan said.
Bail was set for Sam and Thompson at $10,000 cash or $20,000 double surety each . While Thompson’s parents posted bail, Sam remained at the Aroostook County Jail in Houlton in lieu of bail. Bail was not offered for Suire.
In other activity last week, Caribou police charged five people with reckless conduct for an alleged prank that caused motorists concern.
At midnight on July 7, police received complaints of a stuffed animal being pulled across Caribou roads in front of passing motorists in attempt to imitate a live animal.
Similar sightings were reported on South Main Street and on Route 1 bridge on the bypass, according to police.
Adults charged were Cody Rogers, 20, and Tyler Birch, 18, both of Caribou. Three juveniles were also charged.
The adults were released on bail, while the juveniles were released into the custody of their parents.
Investigating the prank was Officer Doug Bell.
Gahagan said that both cases involved assistance from members of the public who reported incidents that “don’t make sense.”
“It’s makes a difference to report things,” the chief said.
