MEXICO — Police say two local men are charged in connection with the theft of marijuana from a police cruiser where it had been placed as evidence Monday night on Dix Avenue.

Kyle Richard, 20, of Rumford was charged with falsifying physical evidence, burglary from a motor vehicle, theft by unauthorized taking or transferring and stealing drugs.

Niklaus Justard, 22, also of Rumford, was charged with falsifying physical evidence and receiving stolen property.

Lt. Roy Hodsdon said Mexico police officer Joshua Aylward responded to a report of a property dispute at a residence on Dix Avenue at 9:45 p.m. on Sept. 19. During the investigation, Nicholas Varnum, 21, of Mexico was arrested on charges of violation of bail and possession of marijuana.

“The evidence was placed in the police cruiser, and officer Aylward returned to the residence to finish up his investigation,” Hodsdon said. “The cruiser was having a locking device malfunction. Richard and Justard were able to gain access and steal the marijuana.”

Witnesses identified Justard and Richard as the suspects in the theft and the pair were apprehended a short time later.

During the initial investigation, a 17-year-old girl from Rumford and a 16-year-old boy from Dixfield were also charged with possession of marijuana. They are scheduled to appear in Rumford District Court on Dec. 6, the same day as Justard, Richard and Varnum.

Hodsdon said the cruiser has been taken out of service while the department waits for the delivery of a new Dodge Charger.

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