FARMINGTON — A crime spree that began late Thursday night, hitting properties and businesses in Jay and Farmington, ended Friday evening with three arrests, police said.

The case remained under investigation in Jay and Farmington and not all details were available late Friday.

An all-terrain vehicle was stolen from a property in Jay late Thursday and driven to the parking lot at the trail head of the Whistle Stop Trail in West Farmington where it was set on fire, Farmington police Sgt. Shane Cote said.

In an allegedly related incident, beer was stolen from Cumberland Farms on Main Street in Farmington later that night. Jay police learned the same men entered Cumberland Farms on Route 4 and attempted to buy alcohol. They were denied because they were underage, Cote said.

Late Friday, Cote and Officer Darrin Gilbert arrested three men — Zachary Haines, 19, of Farmington; Zebbie Thomas, 18, of Jay; and Jesse Coffin, 21, whose last address was Stratton, on charges of arson and aggravated assault, both felonies, and misdemeanor theft.

The police found the men at Sunnyhill Apartments on Fairbanks Road in Farmington after getting an anonymous tip.

Cote said the incidents came to light when a fourth man, who was allegedly forced to drive the three others around, sought treatment in the emergency room at Franklin Memorial Hospital after being assaulted. The incident was reported to police.

When the victim was interviewed at the hospital, he reported that the men had threatened him with assault if he didn’t do what they said but they beat him up, anyway, Cote said.


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