UM busts four men in bicycle ‘chop shop’

ORONO – Four University of Maine students have been charged with running a bicycle “chop shop” that police believe has been operating at universities in two states.

The students were charged with receiving stolen property after a search of three dorm rooms in Somerset Hall on the Orono campus produced numerous stolen bicycles and parts, according to UMaine Police Chief Noel March.

The students allegedly stole the bicycles, stripped them down in the dorm rooms and then sold the parts.

Police believe that bicycle thefts at UMaine and the University of Vermont in Burlington are connected because some of the parts found in Orono were from bicycles reported stolen in Vermont. There were numerous bicycle thefts on the Orono campus during the fall semester, March said.

After receiving tips from students and staff at UMaine and becoming aware of similar thefts at the University of Vermont, officials from both institutions began working together and discovered the alleged bicycle chop shop, said March.

The exact dollar amount of the bikes and parts that were recovered is still being compiled by police, but it could reach into the thousands, March said.

“I’m sure that ultimately we’ll be pursuing felony charges with the District Attorney’s Office,” March said.

Daniel Jaffe, 19, of Easton, Conn.; Mark E. Phelps II, 18, of Shapleigh; and Flann C. O’Brien, 20, of Winthrop were summoned and have been charged with four counts of receiving stolen property. Matthew P. Neves, 18, of Freedom was charged with one count of receiving stolen property.

March said officials still are checking with other northern New England schools that might have been plagued by similar bicycle thefts.

“[Vermont police] are considering charges of theft relative to this case,” March said.

The bicycles were allegedly stolen and taken to dorm rooms on the third floor of Somerset Hall, where they were disassembled. Police seized a number of bicycles and parts “from seats to derailleurs to frames to tires” after searching the rooms, March said.

As a result of that search, Jaffe also was charged with unlawful possession of Schedule X drugs, specifically mushrooms (psilocybin).

UM police are continuing their investigation, which is headed by UM public safety Officer Amy Nickerson.

“A lot of students have lost some very expensive property this past semester, and it’s my hope that the students who have been victimized by these thefts will be made whole,” March said.

The four men are scheduled to appear in Bangor District Court at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 23. The matter also will be referred to the UM dean of students office for review by the student conduct code committee.