Dexter store owners are reducing their losses from shoplifting thanks to the loss prevention training provided to their employees along with the aid of security cameras, Dexter Police Chief Art Roy said Thursday.

Four young women, all 17 years old, were apprehended at Renys Department Store on Tuesday after they allegedly concealed a variety of clothing in tote bags. The juveniles, one from Plymouth and three from Newport, were charged with theft. Their cases were turned over to juvenile probation officials.

Roy said the stolen items included several pairs of flip flops, shirts, socks, sweat pants and tank tops, with a combined value of about $100.

A local man didn’t get far with a half gallon of brandy that he allegedly tried to conceal in his clothing. David Greene Jr., 23, was apprehended Tuesday by Bud’s Shop ‘n’ Save store employees and was summoned for theft, according to Roy. Greene’s initial court appearance is set for June 27. (Diana Bowley, BDN)

Five juveniles have been implicated in five camp break-ins on Horseshoe Pond Road in Ebeemee over the weekend, authorities said.

The three girls and two boys, ages 15-18, reportedly confessed to the break-ins after they were identified by two residents, Investigator Guy Dow of the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Department said Thursday. All face burglary charges.

Dow said the screen was cut to a porch on one of the camps and a door was kicked in at another camp. Binoculars and a portable tree stand were taken from one camp and small items such as change, drill bits, soda and beer were taken from three others camps. Nothing was reported missing from one of the camps, according to Dow.

Dow, who was assisted by Investigator Dave Wilson, is continuing the investigation. (Diana Bowley, BDN)

A Bangor man riding his uncle’s two-week-old 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle suffered a bump on his head about 5 p.m. Thursday after striking the back end of a minivan near the intersection of Union Street and Billings Road in Hermon.

Jeff Fournier, 38, of Bangor was taken to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor by members of the Hermon Volunteer Rescue Squad for treatment of minor injuries, according to Deputy Jay Hallett of the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department.

“He had a pretty good-sized egg on the back of this head but he was more concerned about his uncle’s motorcycle,” Hallett said. “He was lucky. It could have been a lot worse.”

Fournier was traveling east toward Bangor when he came up behind a 2003 Caravan driven by Jean Barry, 55, of Bangor, who was turning in to a driveway at the time.

Barry, who was wearing her seat belt, was not injured.

Hallett said each vehicle had at least $2,000 in damage. He said driver inattention and driving too fast for conditions were factors in the crash. No charges are pending in connection with the accident. (Dawn Gagnon, BDN)