Teen pleads guilty to break-ins

The youngest member of an alleged burglary ring believed responsible for a series of camp break-ins in the Lincoln area pleaded guilty Thursday in Bangor.

Jason Washburn, 19, of Bradley was then sentenced in Penobscot County Superior Court on four counts of burglary and one of theft. Three other theft charges were dismissed in a plea agreement.

Justice Jack O. Smith agreed to “take a chance” on Washburn and to go along with the request by his lawyer, Lawrence Lunn, for less jail time than the six months recommended by Deputy District Attorney Michael P. Roberts.

But while Lunn urged 30 days so that his client could take advantage of summer work, Smith gave him a 60-day term as the unsuspended portion of a two-year sentence.

Smith also ordered three years of probation, during which Washburn must make restitution of up to $2,000; receive substance-abuse counseling; abstain from the possession and use of alcohol; submit to random testing for its presence; and have no contact with the owner of a video store that was burglarized.

Four others, the oldest being 24, were indicted in April along with Washburn: his sister, Renee Washburn, Lorna Pelkey and Tammi Tilton, all of Mattawamkeag, and Theodore Proctor of Millinocket. The five were arrested after a multiagency investigation that ended in January.

All but Pelkey, who faces one count each of burglary and theft, are charged with multiple counts.

About $2,500 worth of stolen property, including a sofa, chairs, a coffee table, microwave ovens, clocks and dishes, was recovered from their homes in connection with break-ins last November and December at about six camps in the area.

The Lincoln, Mattawamkeag and Millinocket police departments and the state police conducted the investigation.