HOULTON, Maine — Three individuals were charged Sept. 1 with stealing metal from the Gardiner Chip Plant on the B Road.
According to Houlton Police Chief Butch Asselin, Clayton A. Willigar, 23, and Jessie Willigar, 20, both of Littleton were arrested Sept. 1 for stealing a substantial amount of railroad iron from the plant. The two were charged with theft by unauthorized taking or transfer (felony Class C); aggravated criminal mischief (felony Class C); and criminal trespass (misdemeanor Class D).
A third individual, Daniel R. Cottle, 23 of Houlton, was summonsed for aggravated criminal mischief and theft by unauthorized taking or transfer.
“Officer Benjamin Drew was patrolling the B Road in the area of the Gardiner Chip Plant when he observed a suspicious truck leaving the area,” Asselin said. “The truck appeared to be heavily loaded and had a faulty exhaust system. Officer Drew stopped the truck on North Street by Tractor Supply.”
As Drew approached the truck, he observed a large amount of railroad iron in the bed area, the chief said. The iron consisted of tie plates, spikes, anchors and three pieces or rail. Officer Drew also noted that there were two oxygen tanks, one propane tank and a cart in the truck bed with the metal.
Based on the officer’s investigation and statements made, it was determined that the metal was taken from the railroad tracks located behind the chip plant. The Willigars described the metal as “scrap that was just lying near the tracks,” Asselin said.
The officers further determined that the Willigars and one male juvenile walked/drove along the railroad line and either carried or hauled cartloads of metal back to their truck.
“The suspects used a cutting torch to cut the metal,” Asselin said. “Two pry bars, a wrench and a hammer were located in the bed of the truck along with the metal. The suspects initially admitted to pulling approximately 15 railroad spikes and anchor plates from the track. The officers seized the truck that night and inventoried the metal the following evening. The inventory revealed the truck was carrying three braces, three sections of rail 5-6 feet long, 60 plates, 115 anchors and 165 spikes. The weight of the materials was 1,760 pounds. The suspects were being paid $160 a ton for the railroad scrap.”
Officers went to the area along the tracks where the metal was stolen and observed several long pieces of railroad track that had been cut and left. Officers also observed evidence where other pieces of track had been cut and removed from the area. As the officers walked along the track they observed piles of plates, anchors and spikes, which had been set aside but not yet taken.
The investigation led officers to a scrap metal business in Monticello. Most of the materials were located and returned, but some of the railroad iron that was scrapped was not recovered.
Northern Maine Railway temporarily closed down the track until an inspection was made. It has since been cleared for use. Damage was estimated $3,598.
Assisting Drew were Sgt. Eric Crouse, officer Theron Bickford and Det. Kris Calaman.
