HARTLAND, Maine — Two men face burglary charges in connection with a string of burglaries at Tazman Leather Group, according to the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office.
James Chasse, 31, of Hartland and Jose Cruz, 27, of New Jersey were arrested Thursday, according to Chief Deputy James Ross.
On Wednesday, deputies responded to a report from the business of a burglary at one of their buildings, from which approximately 35 500-pound heavy metal plates were missing, according to Ross.
The plates are used in the leather processing system and have a value of $5,000 apiece, Ross said.
The plates had been sold as scrap metal to a local metal recycling yard for a replacement cost of $175,000, Ross said.
The chief deputy added the burglaries had taken place over a series of several months. Both men are facing four counts apiece of felony burglary and theft.
The men are being held at the Somerset County Jail.
