Store burglaries lead to charges against 6 suspects

PLEASANT POINT – Three adults and three juveniles have been arrested in connection with two burglaries at a reservation convenience store.

Around 4 a.m. Wednesday, a carrier delivering the morning newspapers to the Pleasant Point Convenience Store noticed that the front outer doors had been broken open and the glass window on the inside door had been smashed, Pleasant Point Police Chief Joseph Barnes said Friday.

The newspaper courier notified the Pleasant Point Police Department. They called for the Calais canine unit to help investigate. Police found that alcohol, cigarettes and food had been stolen.

There were no leads.

Around 1:30 a.m. Thursday, the store alarm was activated and police immediately went to the scene. When they arrived, they heard people laughing and running from the store, the chief said.

Calais police Officer Chris Donahue and his dog Major again were called to the scene, and they tracked the scent to an apartment at Wabanaki Place, about a half-mile away from the convenience store.

Barnes said police obtained a search warrant and searched the apartment of Stephen Francis. Inside, police found alcohol and cigarettes, the chief said.

Police charged Francis, 28, Joseph Neptune Jr., 28, and a 15-year-old from Pleasant Point with two counts of burglary. The chief said they were charged with two counts each because they allegedly were involved in both burglaries.

They also charged Ryan Newell Jr., 25, a 16-year-old from Pleasant Point and a 15-year-old from Eastport with one count of burglary each.

Barnes said the three adults remained in Washington County Jail. They are expected to make their first court appearance Tuesday.

Two of the juveniles were arrested and released to their parents. The third juvenile was detained.

The Eastport Police Department assisted in the investigation.