Palmyra businessman charged with burglaries

PALMYRA — Michael Eno, 32, operator of Mike’s Auto Clinic at the intersection of Route 100 and Route 220 in Palmyra, was arrested Monday afternoon and charged with two counts of burglary and theft. The arrest took place after an informant tipped off Chief James Ricker of the Newport police that stolen goods from three break-ins in Waterville were being housed at the garage.

According to police, Eno is also the prime suspect in burglaries and thefts in Pittsfield, Waterville and Newport, totaling more than $12,000. Police were seeking a warrant late Monday for an accomplice, whom they believe has fled the state.

According to Maine State Trooper Peter Hardwick, a search warrant obtained by Sgt. Joseph Massey of the Waterville Police Department was executed Sunday afternoon at Eno’s home and business. Pittsfield and Newport officers, as well as Massey and State Trooper Paul Stewart, conducted the search. As a result, Eno was arrested at 3:30 p.m. Monday at his Palmyra residence by Hardwick and Trooper Paul Stewart.

The original charges resulted from the theft of a riding lawnmower, which reportedly had been painted and was being used by Eno, and the theft of office supplies, all from Agway Inc., located adjacent to Eno’s business. Hardwick said that the burglaries took place in March.

According to Chief Ricker, Eno was the prime suspect in several burglaries in Newport and an investigation is under way to identify objects that were taken during the fall of 1989 to March 1990, including tools, batteries and car stereos, from a variety of Newport addresses.

Eno, who is originally from Massachusetts, has active arrest warrants on him in at least two citites in that state, said Hardwick, for criminal threatening, larceny, breaking and entering, and writing worthless checks. He did not know if Massachusetts would seek extradition.

Hardwick said that the value of the Agway stolen goods was about $2,500. Pittsfield Police Officer Pierre Boucher said that Eno also had been connected to several small thefts of tools and supplies from Pittsfield, with a value of about $500. Boucher said he would summon Eno at Somerset County Jail this week on the Pittsfield charges.

According to Hardwick, during the search of Eno’s home and business, a trailer was recovered that had been stolen in Waterville. The trailer originally contained more than $11,000 worth of ski equipment but Hardwick said that only the trailer and two pairs of skis were recovered. Additional charges from Waterville Police Department are expected, said Hardwick.

Eno was renting the house and business from Raymond Waning of Plymouth, who previously had operated a store and garage at the same location.