ROCKLAND — Following an early morning burglary, when residents awoke Tuesday to find an intruder in their bedroom, Rockland police charged four city men for drug crimes, and one of them for the burglary.

The charges are the result of  joint investigations by officers with the Rockland Police Department and Maine Drug Enforcement Agency into the residential burglary and drug trafficking activity.

On Tuesday, Robert Graham, 24, was arrested and charged with burglary and stealing drugs, and Stephen Butler, 32, was arrested and charged with trafficking in oxycodone and violating conditions of release, according to a press release from Rockland police. In addition to the arrests Tuesday of Butler and Graham, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency charged James Ellis, 24, for cultivation of marijuana, and Richard Butler, 34, for possession of schedule Y drugs. All four are Rockland residents, according to police.

Rockland Police Officers responded to a Limerock Street residence early Tuesday morning after the residents called 911 about the intruder in their bedroom. The male suspect, who was identified as Graham, fled when the homeowners called police. A tracking dog was summoned and responded from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. The K-9 followed the suspect’s trail for some distance before losing the scent, according to the release. 

Tuesday afternoon, Rockland Police officers and MDEA agents went to Butler’s Lisle Street residence for the second time in three months. Butler’s residence was searched with a warrant in April after complaints of drug trafficking. At that time, Butler was charged with possession of Suboxone.  

On Tuesday, Butler’s residence was the subject of a bail search. During the search, 68 oxycodone pills, allegedly shipped to Maine from out of state, the prescription drug Vyvanse, marijuana plants and drug paraphernalia were seized. Butler was arrested for trafficking in oxycodone and violating conditions of release. Prescription Oxycodone pills are currently selling for $50 to $55 per pill in Rockland, according to the release.

Also at Butler’s residence during the bail search was Graham, who police said was in possession of medication allegedly stolen from the residence burglarized earlier in the day, according to the release. Police said further investigation found that Graham had been in possession of other items taken during the burglary. Graham was charged with burglary and stealing drugs; his bail was set at $2,000 cash.

Sarah Shepherd can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com.