March 28, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

Gang members charged in burglaries

SKOWHEGAN — Authorities say a group of teen-agers may be responsible for a series of burglaries in Augusta and Skowhegan.

The discovery of a stolen gun in Augusta two weeks ago tipped authorities off to the group, a self-proclaimed gang which calls itself the “Underground Thugs.” Police say the gun was stolen during one of two daylight robberies on Dec. 4.

Michael Ferrara, 18, of Skowhegan, another 18-year-old man and three 17-year-old boys have been charged with various burglaries in the region.

“Working with state police and the Sheriff’s Department we can probably link these people to other burglaries in Somerset County,” said Skowhegan Police Chief Butch Asselin.

The Skowhegan and Augusta arrests may only be the first in what has become a regional case, involving Augusta and Waterville police, state police, the Somerset and Kennebec County Sheriff’s departments, and federal investigators, Asselin said.

Investigators have already linked at least 13 people to the sale or exchange of the stolen handgun.

The gun was found in an alley beside an Augusta home. Authorities say they were able to trace the gun, and allege it was circulated among several members of the “Thugs.”

Authorities believe Ferrara, the other 18-year-old and the juveniles entered the unlocked home and stole the .357, a 9-mm Ruger handgun, a .300-caliber Weatherby rifle, ammunition, assorted rare coins, liquor and two hunting knives.


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