ROCKWOOD, Maine — A Somerset County man was arrested Tuesday in connection with stealing more than a dozen firearms, according to police.
The sequence of events leading to the arrest of Jason Oliver, 39, of Rockwood started on Sept. 22, when a Village Road residence notified police firearms were missing from his home, according to Chief Deputy Dale Lancaster of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office.
Lancaster said the complainant was out of state at the time of the alleged theft and was not certain when it occurred.
Investigative efforts revealed that Oliver, a stepson of the complainant, had allegedly been involved in the theft of 14 rifles and shotguns, according to Lancaster. He had been staying at the residence, the chief deputy said.
Police reviewed pawn shop records, a check of which indicated Oliver allegedly was pawning the weapons in Palmyra and Bangor, Lancaster said. All missing weapons were recovered.
Oliver was arrested Tuesday and was cooperative in assisting with the recovery of the weapons, Lancaster said.
“Oliver told detectives that he needed the money for medical bills,” Lancaster said.
Oliver was charged with Class B felony theft and booked into the Somerset County Jail, Lancaster said, and he was later released on bail.
The street value of the guns is estimated at $10,000.
