Four linked to Lincoln County burglary ring

ALNA, Maine — Four people have been charged with theft and burglary after the seizure of what police say are numerous stolen items and illegal prescription drugs.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department, acting on information from the Portland Police Department, executed a search warrant Friday at a residence in Alna owned by Renee Monteiro. The search resulted in the recovery of a number of tools reported stolen from residences in the Alna area, as well as illegal drugs and other evidence, according to a press release from the department.

Monteiro, 25, is charged with theft of drugs, a Class C crime punishable by up to five years’ incarceration and a $5,000 fine. Also charged were two men who were living at the home: Doug Schneider, 24, of Connecticut, charged with Class C theft of drugs; and Brandon Smith, 25, of Alna, charged with Class C burglary. A fourth person, Reece Demmons, 20, of Alna, was charged with Class C burglary.

Monteiro, Schneider and Smith are also the subjects of an investigation by the Portland Police Department in connection to a strong-arm burglary in that city, according to Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Michael J. Murphy.

Murphy said the investigation is continuing and investigators have connected the items to at least four recent burglaries at residences and work sites. He also said some of the prescription drugs were found in bottles that identified the people the medications were stolen from.

“We believe this is all drug-related,” said Murphy.

Monteiro, Smith and Schneider were held at Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset on Tuesday afternoon, according to a booking officer. Demmons had been released on bail.