Public encouraged to check their own storage units

Thomaston man charged for alleged burglaries of storage units across four counties

Tue, 03/20/2018 - 1:30pm

    ROCKLAND — Maine State Police, working with the four sheriff’s offices in the Midcoast, are asking owners and renters of storage units to check them following the arrest of a Thomaston man yesterday. 

    Troopers arrested Joshua Vandine, 37, in Rockland, and charged him with alleged burglary and possessing a stolen gun, according to a news release from Maine’s Public Safety office. 

    “Troopers seized enough items from Vandine’s home, vehicle and his own storage locker, to load up two U-Haul trucks,” the release said. “The items include chainsaws, tools, hunting and fishing equipment, coins, antiques, toys, and clothing. Troopers said Vandine is suspected in multiple burglaries into storage lockers over the past two years. He is suspected of cutting the padlocks from the storage units and then replacing the lock with one of his own to avoid immediate detection.  Owners who have not checked their own storage units in months could be victims.”

    The thefts may have included Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Knox and Waldo counties and troopers have been working with the sheriff’s offices from those four counties in the investigation, the release said. Some of the thefts may date back to 2016. Storage unit owners and renters who have discovered they are victims should call State Police in Augusta, at 624-7076


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