Presque Isle police
charge three for store thefts
By Kathy McCarty
Three Indian Township residents are facing felony theft charges following an incident that occurred in September at the Presque Isle Walmart Super Center.
According to Kevin Reed, investigating officer with the Presque Isle Police Department, three suspects stole 67 items valued at just over $3,736 from the Main Street store.
“The incident occurred Sunday, Sept. 12, at approximately 4:20 p.m. The suspects were observed on video surveillance by Walmart loss prevention associates and later identified by law enforcement,” said Reed.
The suspects were identified as Indian Township, Washington County, residents and included: Mary E. Sockabasin, 32; Robert J. Socabasin, 43; and Rhonda R. Sabattus, 29.
“Through inter-agency cooperation and communication, Presque Isle officers, with the assistance of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, Maine State Police, Machias Police and the Indian Township Police Department, two simultaneous search and arrest warrants were carried out on the morning of Oct. 13,” Reed said.
Officers from the PIPD as well as officials from Wal-Mart traveled to Indian Township in search of the suspects and in hopes of recovering the stolen merchandise.
“The warrants were executed at the homes of Robert Socobasin and Mary Sockabasin. Rhonda Sabattus was arrested later that afternoon, after turning herself in to police,” Reed said.
Some of the merchandise and drugs were discovered during the search and arrest.
“Presque Isle officers seized more than $2,000 in stolen Walmart property, illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia. Through the course of the investigation, Presque Isle officers learned that all three suspects had been involved in countless thefts against Walmart and Hannaford grocery stores throughout Aroostook, Penobscot, Hancock and Washington counties,” explained Reed.
The investigation led the combined agencies to over a dozen homes of individuals who had purchased stolen property from the suspects.
“All three suspects were charged with felony Class C theft and released on $5,000 unsecured bail. They are scheduled to appear at the Aroostook County Superior Court in Caribou on March 17, 2011,” Reed said.
Also assisting in the investigation was Sgt. Mark Barnes, PIPD.
The Houlton Police Department is also investigating similar thefts from the Walmart store in that community.
“We are investigating a theft and an attempted theft, both in excess of $1,000 in merchandise, from the Houlton Walmart,” said Det. Carolyn Crandall, HPD, noting at this point in the investigation she could not specify whether the three arrested by Reed were connected to these thefts or if other individuals were involved.
Anyone with information pertaining to either case is asked to contact the PIPD at 764-4476 or the HPD at 532-2287.
