ANDOVER — A 37-year-old local man remained in the Oxford County Jail on Tuesday after being charged with breaking into a cabin and stealing a car over the weekend.
Peter Wayne Cole of East Andover Road was charged with burglary, two counts of theft, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, criminal trespass, criminal mischief and possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle.
According to a report by Trooper Kyle Tilsley of the Maine State Police, a 73-year-old man reported to the Mexico Police Department that his 1993 Subaru Legacy station wagon had been stolen. About an hour later, state police received a report that a man driving the car had confronted a woman after a near-collision in Andover and asked to search her vehicle, saying he was with the state police.
Also on Saturday, a 41-year-old man reported that a cabin he was renting on South Arm Road in Andover had been broken into. The man said two rifles, several knives and power tools were stolen, and a camper-trailer ransacked.
Tilsley said the vehicle and stolen items were found at a Farmer’s Hill Road home in Andover. The residents of the home told police that Cole walked into the house but left after Brock Clukey of the Maine Warden Service spotted the vehicle.
Cole ran into the woods, and additional officers arrived to search for him, Tilsley said. Cole was arrested after troopers Jason Wing, Andre Paradis and Eric Paquette, and Oxford County Sheriff’s Office Deputy William Nelson entered the woods in pursuit.
According to Tilsley, Cole told police he stole the guns and knives but denied stealing the tools or ransacking the camper. He also denied saying he was with the state police.
Cole’s bail was reduced from $20,000 to $1,000 after his initial appearance in court Monday.
mlangeveld@sunjournal.com