Youths charged for firearm theft

Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
SEARCH — A U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officer searches a storage unit on Bridge Street Wednesday morning while his hand rests firmly on his firearm. Police were searching for guns stolen from MACS Trading Post in Houlton.
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — An 18-year-old man and two juvenile boys have been apprehended in connection with a burglary of a local hunting store to steal firearms.
    According to Houlton Police Chief Butch Asselin, two juvenile boys, age 15 and 13, reportedly broke into Macs Trading Post at 10:39 p.m.
    The local police department received a report of a business alarm at Macs Trading Post on North Street at 10:39 p.m. Tuesday evening. Entrance to the business was gained by breaking the glass in the door, which serves as the entrance to the building. A rock was used to break the glass. A hunting rifle was used to break glass in the display case to steal the handguns, the chief said. Removed from the scene were two assault rifles, two .40 caliber semi-automatic handguns and 100 rounds of .223 ammunition.
    Officers were on scene within minutes, the chief said.
    The 15-year-old juvenile injured himself when he accidentally discharged one of the stolen weapons, with the bullet grazing his forehead, as they fled the scene.
    Joshua Nason, 18, of Houlton, was arrested and charged with receiving stolen property (a Class B crime) and hindering apprehension or prosecution. The 13-year-old was charged with burglary, and was transported to a holding facility for juveniles in Presque Isle.
    The 15-year-old was not immediately charged due to his injury.
    “Upon arriving, officers processed the scene and canvassed the area,” Asselin said. “A call for additional assistance was placed. Members of the Border Patrol, the Sheriff’s Office, Customs and the State Police responded. State police had a K-9 en route from Bangor. In reviewing the store video, officers observed two subjects had entered the business. Both of these suspects were wearing bandanas to conceal their identity. A description of the subjects was then provided to all units.”
    Upon exiting Macs Trading Post, the suspects fled toward Bowdoin Street. It was on Bowdoin Street that the 15-year-old reportedly loaded the magazine to the assault rifle that he later injured himself with, the chief said.
    The suspects then fled down the railroad tracks, behind Houlton Tire where they lost one of the handguns. The two suspects then fled down Bridge Street, where they met up with Joshua Nason, according to Asselin.
    At 11:26 p.m., Houlton Police received a call from a Mill Street resident who heard a gunshot in the area. At approximately 1:10 a.m., the department received a call that a subject had been shot in the head in the Leonard Street area.
    Upon arrival, HPD located a 15-year-old male juvenile with a head wound. The bullet grazed the juvenile’s forehead and scalp area. The juvenile was conscious at the time and bleeding profusely. He indicated that he had accidentally shot himself and was transported to Houlton Regional Hospital via ambulance.
    Police then followed the blood trail from Leonard Street and were able to locate one of the missing assault rifles, a loaded magazine and ammunition behind Car Quest, the chief said.
    “Knowing who the juvenile associated with, officers located two suspects on the Foxcroft Road and, later, Joshua Nason on Bridge Street,” the chief said. “The suspects relayed where the missing guns were located and they were recovered. One of the suspects located on the Foxcroft Road was not charged and is a material witness to the crime.”
    Houlton police and Border Patrol agents were busy early Wednesday morning searching for additional items in the area of Smyrna and Bridge streets. That search including looking into self-storage units located on Bridge Street.
    One of the stolen assault rifles discarded was found behind a Bowdoin Street residence. The bandanas used in the crime were located on Bowdoin and Bridge streets. One of the stolen handguns was located behind Houlton Tire.  
    The chief said the youths were reportedly planning to use the weapons to rob a bank. The planning for the burglary occurred earlier that evening at a Maple Street residence.
    “The injured 15-year-old juvenile loaded the assault rifle in preparation to having an armed confrontation with police,” Asselin said. “Fortunately for both the police, the juvenile and the neighboring community that did not occur.
    “This was absolutely outstanding police work on the part of the Houlton Police Department,” the chief added. “I have been receiving compliments on the actions and professionalism of the HPD officers involved this in this case from other outside law enforcement officials.”
    Sgt. Eric Crouse was the primary investigating officer. Other HPD officers at the scene or who participated in the investigation were Sgt. Frederick Parker, Richard York, Stewart Kennedy and Charles Wampler III. The investigation is still ongoing.