PORTLAND, Maine — A recent increase in crime in Portland continued overnight Monday, when about 30 vehicles were broken into, Acting Portland Police Chief Vernon Malloch said Tuesday.
Thieves smashed windows to gain entry to cars parked in the area of Somerset, Preble and State streets, stealing cash and valuables from some vehicles but leaving them behind in others during what Malloch described as “a very unusual” circumstance.
Police have increased patrols in that area and throughout the city, following a late-night shooting May 25 that left 19-year-old Treyjon Arsenault dead and another man injured, as well as a number of armed robberies in recent weeks.
On May 15, a man displayed a handgun at the University Credit Union on Brighton Avenue and fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.
Ten days later, a man held up another man and his three children and, later, a 23-year-old Portland woman on Sherman Street.
The day after, a man robbed the TruChoice Federal Credit Union at 272 Park Ave., fleeing with an undisclosed amount of cash.
On May 31, a 23-year-old woman reported a man robbed, assaulted and attempted to sexually assault her on Clark Street in the West End. The woman suffered facial, neck and arm injuries but did not require treatment at a hospital, police said at the time.
On Friday afternoon, a 35-year-old Cumberland woman reportedly was robbed as she left Shalom House on Gilman Street. The alleged victim told police a man approached her as she walked to her car and repeatedly threatened her with a knife until she eventually entered her car, retrieved a handgun and pointed it at him.
On Tuesday, TruChoice Federal Credit Union and Portland police offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of that man.
Malloch said Tuesday police believe the two credit union robberies may be related but do not suspect the same individual is responsible for the other crimes, in part because descriptions of the suspects don’t match.
“Some people have identified a light-skinned black or Hispanic male, [others] a very dark-skinned black male,” Malloch said.
Malloch said Tuesday the crimes remain under investigation and offered no new information.
“The best advice we can give folks is constantly be aware of your surroundings,” he said. When walking, be aware of the next open business into which you could retreat and have a cellphone ready to dial 911. He also urged people to comply with any demands if they are victimized.
Malloch urged anyone with information about any of the crimes to call police at 874-8575 or text GOTCHA to 274637.