EDDINGTON, Maine — Three teenagers who were caught by Maine State Police with items stolen during a rash of car burglaries earlier this month have been charged, Maine State Police Trooper Michael Johnston said Monday.
James Cook, 18, of Bangor and Belfast and two 16-year-olds — a boy from Eddington and a girl from Milford — were linked to 11 car break-ins that occurred in Eddington and Bradley on or around April 1 and investigated by Johnston and Trooper Kyle Willette.
“In addition, they solved six car burglaries that had never been reported,” the Maine State Police website said.
Cook and the 16-year-old boy both were charged with multiple counts of theft by authorized taking or transfer, attempted theft, burglary of a motor vehicle and receiving stolen property.
The girl was charged with receiving stolen property.
“All of the targeted vehicles were unlocked,” Johnston said in a statement.
The vehicles were parked at residences on Clewleyville Road and Monument Drive in Eddington and areas in Bradley near the intersection of Route 178 and Route 9.
“Taken was a variety of items, [including an] XM radio receiver, 110 electrical adaptor, hydraulic jack, portable ashtray, scratch off ticket, a purse, money, a leatherman tool, and a hunting knife,” the state police website states.
James is scheduled to go before a judge at the Penobscot Judicial Center on May 17, and both juveniles have court appearances scheduled for June 5. They also have to meet with a juvenile community corrections officer, Johnston said.
“Much of the property stolen has either been accounted for and/or recovered,” the trooper said.
Slap on the wrist for all. It’s MAINE…
…and Tom what would you do to these children? Is the death penalty too extreme?
From someone whose neighbors were victimized by these youthful miscreants:
A tip o’ the hat to troopers Johnston & Willette! This was a rash of crime that was not too petty for them to investigate — and solve!
THANK YOU!
I would make them pick up trash on the roads of their own towns in orange suits for 10 months with the words thief written on their backs
Jimmy had just turned 18 unfortunately . The other two will prob get away with a lot more since they aren’t of age. He’s my step son && although he is I do not agree with what he has done. I know he’s sorry & regrets his choices. He also has a job & trying to get his life back on track. (& a baby on the way) he’s a really good kid & this is the first time I’ve ever heard of him doing anything like this. It’s a real bummer. & to the families that got their cars broken into I’m really sorry! Let’s keep the comments to constructive criticism maybe ideas of what he can do to give back the community.
When I was young, I stole the whole car. It was stupid and thoughtless, and most of all dangerous. The owner could have been outside with a gun, and in those days NO ONE would have been surprised if he shot me dead.
Instead, he got his car back. I was required to wash it every Saturday for a year. My father and this man worked out this deal, and the man went to court and spoke in my favor. Luckily for me. I was grateful and ran errands for him till the day he died.
Young folks sometimes do stupid things. Most often they learn and grow to be productive tax paying citizens.
I sincerely wish Jimmy all the luck he needs to get by this. I also caution him that should he get that luck it will only come around once.
Praying for everything to work out right for everyone involved <3
Being one of the victims of this trio I would like to Thank Troopers Willette and Johnston for all their efforts to solve these crimes and return at least some of the items taken.
Unfortunately we know one of the kids and the real disheartening part was when I asked him “why” all he could do is lie to my face and say he didn’t know that is where I lived. Keep in mind that this kid knows my son, rode the same bus, has eaten supper at our house and even swam in our pool but somehow amnesia set in and was clueless. Had he said ” gee, I’m sorry” I would be more forgiving but at this point he is obviously not remorseful at all so maybe some community service would be good for the soul…