HOULTON, Maine — Police in Houlton are investigating the theft of more than $14,000 worth of tools and equipment from a tree harvesting operation earlier this month.
The Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office has made the theft from the logging operation run by Michael Lane its Crime Stoppers crime of the month.
Two of Lane’s employees discovered the theft shortly after they arrived at the Porter Settlement Road work site on March 18 and discovered that some of their heavy machinery had broken down, according to police.
The men told Houlton Police Officer Matthew Quint that when they went to get tools to fix machinery, they found that the lock securing the tools had been broken and four repair kits, independent tools, hydraulic repair parts and other assorted items were missing. The estimated value of the missing equipment is $14,846.
Houlton police believe the theft occurred overnight between March 17 and 18.
A GMC or Chevrolet short-bodied, four-door pickup is suspected of being involved in the theft.
Aroostook County Sheriff Darrell Crandall said Thursday that no arrests have been made in the case as of yet.
Anyone with information about this or any other crime is urged to contact the Aroostook County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-638-TIPS (8477).
Callers do not have to identify themselves. Anyone providing information this month that leads to a grand jury indictment on this crime is eligible for a $1,000 award.
Crime Stoppers also will pay for information on other felony crimes.