GREENVILLE – The alertness of a private snowplow contractor Thursday helped police nab two Bangor-area men accused of burglarizing the Maine Department of Forestry building and garage in Greenville.

Scott E. King, 27, of Bangor, and Dwaine Anastos, 25, of Old Town, were arrested for burglary and were taken to the Piscataquis County Jail. King was charged with one count of burglary and Anastos was charged with three counts of burglary. Bail for each was set at $1,000 cash. Their initial court appearances will be on Feb. 4 in 13th District Court.

The driver of the plow truck noticed a set of fresh footprints in the snow that led into the back of the forestry building at about 5:00 a.m., according to Greenville Police Chief Duane Alexander. The driver at first thought that an employee had arrived at the forestry building for work, so he left to plow out another driveway. When he returned a few minutes later, the plow driver noticed two men trying to get a vehicle out of the ditch near the building.

Because the two men appeared suspicious, the plow driver called police. An initial search of the buildings by police and Forester Bruce Reed revealed that a break-in had occurred. Several thousand dollars worth of tools had been stacked near a garage door allegedly by King and Anastos, according to Alexander. Police believe the pair were on their way to retrieve the tools when the car got stuck.

Alexander said it appeared nothing was taken from the office.

King was arrested at the scene. Anastos, who fled the scene, was tracked on foot by Greenville Officer David Johnson along the shore of Moosehead Lake to a nearby vacant camp where he had taken refuge.

Wardens with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife assisted Greenville police in the investigation.

Alexander said that additional charges may be pending.