Island Falls homes burglarized, car stolen in Houlton

  ISLAND FALLS, Maine — Maine State Police troopers were called to the Island Falls area early Thursday morning to investigate a pair of home burglaries, and in the process found a vehicle that had been stolen from the Houlton area.
    According to Sgt. Brian Harris of the Maine State Police, a report of a burglary in progress was received at 3:45 a.m. The suspect was believed to be still in the garage of one of the two residences that were burglarized. Harris declined to provide the names of the homeowners of those two residences.
Troopers Carman Lilley and Jill Monahan responded to the complaint, but by the time they arrived the subject had left. After interviewing witnesses, Lilley went to the home of 43-year-old Gary Rushto Jr., who lives a short distance from the scene. He was subsequently arrested for criminal trespass.
At Rushto’s residence, state police located a hidden vehicle that had been reported stolen from Food Trend on 246 North St.
According to Houlton Police Chief Butch Asselin, the vehicle — a 2010 Chrysler Seabring — belonged to Rachel Anderson, 31, of Houlton. Anderson had gone into the store at about 9:30 p.m.and left her vehicle running. The chief said she was in the store for about eight minutes and when she exited, the vehicle was gone. The vehicle, as well as items that were taken from the vehicle, were recovered at Rushto’s home.
Rushto was taken into custody without incident and charged with theft of a motor vehicle, two counts of criminal trespass, operating after revocation and possession of marijuana. He was transported to the Aroostook County Jail in Houlton where he remains in custody. The investigation is continuing with the possibility of further charges.