PRESQUE ISLE – A local man appeared Thursday in Houlton District Court on a charge of stealing $4,500 in property, including firefighters’ gear, from the unlocked vehicles of several local residents, according to law enforcement officials.

Sean Levasseur, 20, remained Friday at Aroostook County Jail in Houlton, unable to make bail of $20,000 surety or $10,000 cash. His conditions of release included no possession of firearms.

Levasseur was arrested Wednesday in connection with five car burglaries, said Detective Wayne Selfridge of the Presque Isle Police Department on Friday.

He was charged with five counts each of burglary of a motor vehicle and theft, and was summoned on three counts of criminal simulation and criminal mischief for destroying serial numbers on weapons. He was arrested without incident.

Selfridge said residents living on Exchange and Water streets and on Coburn Avenue reported earlier this week that their vehicles were entered illegally overnight and that several items were taken.

The stolen items included a hunting bow and case, a shotgun, two handguns and holsters, tools, CDs, cell phones and Presque Isle Fire Department turnout gear.

Police received a tip on Levasseur’s whereabouts and found him two days after the burglaries were reported. Selfridge and Sgt. Joey Seeley made contact with Levasseur, who assisted in the recovery of nearly all of the stolen items, Selfridge said.

Selfridge said Levasseur is known to police because of four cases pending in court: a residential burglary, forgery and two theft charges.

The case might be heard in Presque Isle Superior Court because of the felony weapons charges, according to the officer.

The detective advised residents to lock their vehicles and not leave things in them that will attract burglars.

“[Burglars] will look to see what’s in the car first. If they don’t see anything in sight, they’re less likely to break in,” he said.