SANDY RIVER PLANTATION — The Franklin County Sheriff’s Department arrested a Langtown Township man Sunday on charges of receiving stolen property from car burglaries at Saddleback Mountain on Saturday, according to Sheriff Scott Nichols Sr.’s release.

Deputy Nicholas Zecher responded to a series of car burglaries at the mountain and determined items were removed from three cars, he said. The cars either had a window broken to gain access to or they were unlocked.

Matthew Lavoie, 24, was arrested on three counts of felony receiving stolen property and a misdemeanor charge of misuse of identification at the jail, Zecher said. He was also issued a summons on a charge of operating after having a license suspended, he said.

Nichols said during Zecher’s investigation, he found that an unknown man had attempted to use a debit card and credit card taken in the burglaries at a local convenience store, he said.

Zecher interviewed witnesses at the store and identified Lavoie, 24, originally from Lewiston, as the person who used the card, Nichols said.

Zecher and Cpl. Nate Reid were obtaining additional information on the breaks Sunday morning when they learned that Lavoie had been arrested on an unrelated incident by Maine State Police.

Lavoie was arrested on a charge of domestic violence assault earlier Sunday morning and was at the Franklin County jail in Farmington. He remained at the jail Monday morning.

Deputies obtained a search warrant for Lavoie’s residence, searched it and discovered items taken from the burglarized cars, Nichols said.

“Lavoie has an extensive criminal history and is currently on probation for a previous burglary,” he said.

Deputy Kevin Hartley also assisted Zecher with the investigation.

Nichols commended Zecher for his instincts and determination to solve the case quickly.

dperry@sunjournal.com

Copy the Story Link