Vehicle Break-ins See Dramatic Increase in Augusta, Hallowell in Recent Weeks Police Say

LOCK YOUR DOORS.

According to an article published by the Kennebec Journal, the Augusta Police Department has been investigating DOZENS of car break-ins that have been happening all around the city over the last several weeks.

Interim Police Chief, Kevin Lully, tells the Kennebec Journal that the break-ins have been involving cars that are being left unlocked in the city during the overnight hours. And now, those burglaries seem to be spreading to the neighboring town of Hallowell.

Police Chief, Chris Lewis, of the Hallowell Police Department, said in part to the KJ,

“This person was basically taking advantage of an opportunity, pulling on vehicle door handles. If they were left unlocked, the (burglar) rummaged through them, taking primarily cash and gift cards. Since we heard Augusta made an arrest, we’re trying to see if we can solve our cases, based on what they have. We worked together to develop any information we could. It definitely sounds like all three agencies are dealing with the same person or people.”

The Kennebec Journal is also reporting that Augusta Police arrested Gregory Roe, 38, of Vienna on Saturday on multiple counts of theft by unauthorized taking or transfer, two counts of burglary of a motor vehicle and one count each of misuse of information, stealing drugs and unlawful possession of a scheduled drug. However, Augusta Police would not confirm whether these charges are related to the recent string of vehicle break-ins.

Other nearby towns that have noticed an increase in car break-ins include Manchester and Farmingdale, the KJ said. This serves as a stark reminder to keep your vehicle doors locked at all times.

If you have any information on any of the aforementioned crimes, please contact the non-emergency line of the Augusta Police Department at 207.626.2370.

This is a developing story that we will keep updated as more information becomes available.