TRESCOTT, Maine — Two Washington County men were arrested Saturday night after game wardens caught them stealing copper piping from an upscale seasonal home.
Marcus Townsend, 40, of Calais and Devon Brown, 30, of Baileyville also confessed to committing several other burglaries in the area, according to Warden Sgt. David Craven, and were charged with six felony crimes and and several other violations.
Both Brown and Townsend were charged with two counts of Class C burglary, two counts of Class C theft by unauthorized taking, two counts of Class C aggravated criminal mischief, possession of burglary tools, and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to Warden Alan Curtis. In addition, Brown was charged with two counts of Class C violation of bail, Curtis said.
Craven said that during a routine detail Friday on the Bold Coast, he and Warden Joseph McBride noticed a gate to a coastal home had been taken off its hinges and smashed. When the home was inspected, the wardens discovered fresh signs that copper pipes had been removed. “This is an very expensive system,” Craven said. “This home had an indoor pool and hot tub so you can imagine the extensive plumbing.”
The wardens notified the Washington County Sheriff’s Office of their discovery and returned to the property Saturday to continue their investigation. When they arrived, Brown and Townsend were at the home.
“We caught the two men in the process of removing armloads of copper pipe,” Craven said.
During an interrogation by Curtis after their arrest, the men confessed to other burglaries. Craven said the full extent of their crimes remains under investigation.
In addition, Curtis said extensive damage was done to the home and he is still tallying the value of that damage. He said he has been unable to reach the homeowner, who lives out of the country. “The damage is going to be pretty hefty,” he said.
Craven said he, McBride and Curtis were assisted by Cpl. Wade Carter, WCSO Lt. Travis Willey and Maine State Trooper Staci Carpenter.
Brown and Townsend remained at Washington County Jail Sunday.