Four Bangor teens arrested in series of house burglaries

BANGOR – Four Bangor teen-agers were arrested Tuesday and charged in connection with a multitude of residential burglaries that have occurred during the past month in the areas of Finson Road and outer Ohio Street.

Police said the boys, between the ages of 15 and 17, were responsible for about seven burglaries, during which about $5,000 worth of items, including TVs, firearms and a computer were stolen.

The weekend snowfall may have aided police in their investigation.

After the latest burglary, which occurred Monday evening, police found tracks in the snow, which they followed to a residence.

“From there, it was a matter of doing interviews to find out who was responsible,” Bangor Police Detective Lt. Tim Reid said.

The boys, who live in the area where the burglaries occurred, have been charged with several counts of burglary and theft. They have been released into the custody of their parents, Reid said.

Police have recovered some of the stolen items, including a computer that had been hidden in the woods off the Finson Road.

Now police are concentrating on the recovery of some of the other items, which have been sold.

“We are seeking to recover those items and will seek to press charges against those who received those stolen items,” Reid said.

The Violent Crimes Task Force assisted the Bangor Police Department in its investigation. Reid said he did not believe the four teens were connected to another series of residential burglaries that have occurred throughout other parts of Penobscot County.

“We don’t have any evidence that these guys had access to a car,” he said. “We think they primarily were on foot and targeted homes that were within walking distance,” said Reid.

He said the boys cut window screens and kicked in basement windows to enter the homes. The burglaries were most often committed between 4 and 8 p.m.

Items taken included firearms, CDs, stereo equipment, cash, jewelry and a big-screen TV, according to police.

In one case it appears the boys were interrupted while burglarizing a home when the homeowner pulled into the driveway.

“We believe they left the residence in a hurry and returned the next night,” he said.

Reid said the motive for the burglary spree was unclear and said there was no solid information that the boys were funding drug habits.

“I think they just liked breaking into houses and stealing things,” the detective said.