For second straight week police nab car burglar

    HOULTON — On Monday, April 5, at 1:27 a.m., Sgt. Frederick Parker was patrolling the area of Broadway Street when he observed the driver’s door open on gold Toyota Camry. He further observed an unknown individual leaning across the driver’s seat. Sgt. Parker turned the cruiser around and investigated further.
    According to Houlton Police Chief Butch Asselin, Sgt. Parker observed a subject crouching down between the Camry and another vehicle. Sgt. Parker identified himself and the subject attempted to conceal himself even more. Sgt. Parker ordered him to slowly stand with his hands raised. The individual complied. After determining that the subject was unarmed, Sgt. Parker ordered the subject to lie on the ground where he was subsequently handcuffed.
    Sgt. Parker identified the subject as Ray W. Varney, 21, of Park Street, Houlton. Varney indicated the vehicle wasn’t his and that he was just waiting for a ride. The owner of the vehicle overheard her vehicle information being broadcast over a scanner and arrived on scene. She reported the vehicle had been entered and that someone had gone through the glove box and the vehicle’s interior. Varney was then arrested for burglary of a motor vehicle, a Class C crime. Varney has a court date of May 5.
    “This is the second week in a row that vehicles have been burglarized in the downtown area,” Chief Asselin said. “HPD would like to remind people to always secure their vehicle and remove valuables from view. Remember that crime is all about opportunity. Lock your vehicle and prevent a crime from taking place.”