Incident Date: 8/25/2019
Incident Time: 12:30AM
Incident Location: Roosevelt Trail Casco
Release Date: 8/25/2019
Release Time: 8:00PM
On Saturday night (8/24/2019) Deputies conducted a surveillance in the Roosevelt Trail area in Casco. The surveillance was in response to a series of thefts which have targeted road-side campfire wood stands. The thefts, which have targeted money and not firewood, have been occurring regularly since the first of July. Over the course of this time period, multiple victims from Standish, Casco, & Naples have reported a cumulative loss in excess of $1,000.00.
These road-side stands are very common in the Sebago Lake region and cater to the large volume of campgrounds and seasonal homes in the area. The stands are typically located at or near private homes and offer bundles of firewood for sale, averaging $5.00 per bundle. The stands are not monitored and citizens typically have access to purchase firewood 24/7. Payment is made via the “honor system,” with locked cash receptacles attached to the firewood stands.
On Saturday night, CCSO deputies monitored a firewood stand that has previously been targeted on multiple occasions. Shortly after midnight on 8/25/2019, the suspect approached the stand on foot and began to fish bills out of the cash receptacle. Deputies confronted the suspect, and after a brief foot pursuit, the suspect was taken into custody.
The suspect was identified as, Andrew John CONNOLLY, 33 Years Old and is currently a transient. Connelly was transported to the Cumberland County Jail where he was charged with:
- Theft (class C felony – aggregate value exceeds $1,000.00)
- Violation of Conditions of Release (misdemeanor)
Connolly is being held without bail and will be arraigned in Portland Unified Court on Monday afternoon.
Further inquiries can be address to,
Captain Don Goulet
Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office
(207) 774- 1444 ext. 2110