Juvenile arrested in connection with Milford house vandalism

MILFORD – A 15-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the ransacking of a vacant house on Oak Street, according to Maine State Police.

The Milford juvenile was released to the custody of his mother Monday after spending the weekend in custody. He was arrested Friday night, according to Trooper Gerald Pearson.

The youth is on probation for a different offense, said Pearson, and is expected to be charged formally in the next two weeks.

Damage at the home, owned by Walter Cirone of Bangor, was estimated at between $12,000 and $15,000. Vandals entered the house through a cellar window, according to police, knocked down interior walls, destroyed light fixtures, took an ax to appliances and set small fires on the living room rug.

Vandals also turned off circuit breakers, which shut down the basement sump pump. There were several inches of water in the partially finished basement when Cirone discovered the damage Thursday afternoon.

Cirone originally told police that Easter Sunday was the last time anyone from his firm, Finest Kind Real Estate, had visited the house. After checking with his partner, Cirone said that it actually had been Palm Sunday, April 8, since any of the owners had been to the residence.

Pearson said Monday afternoon that police believe that at least two other juveniles were involved in the vandalism. He said police still are investigating when the damage actually occurred and whether it was on one or more occasions.