VINALHAVEN, Maine — Two men were arrested Saturday morning after police said they caught them stealing batteries from a pair of cars. The pair pleaded guilty at their initial court hearings on Monday and were sentenced to 14 days in jail.
Donald Hardy, 39, of Augusta and Owen Adair, 23, of Vinalhaven were both charged with burglary of a motor vehicle, criminal mischief and possession of burglary tools. Adair also was charged with refusing to submit to arrest, theft, and violating a condition of release.
Knox County Sheriff Donna Dennison said two men were spotted by a homeowner on Vinalhaven at 6 a.m. Saturday. The men were looking under the hoods of two vehicles parked in the driveway. The homeowner called police, and Deputies Rob Potter and Patrick Polky went to the home.
The deputies spotted the pair, and Adair fled on foot but was captured a short time later, according to Dennison.
The battery cables were cut on both vehicles and one battery was removed.
The suspects were taken to the Knox County Jail in Rockland aboard a Maine State Ferry vessel later that day.
During Monday’s afternoon hearing in Rockland District Court, the pair pleaded guilty and Judge Susan Sparaco sentenced each to 30 days in jail.