FARMINGTON — Reports of a stolen vehicle in New Vineyard left a worker for a repossession company surrounded by about half a dozen police officers Tuesday.

The repossession company forgot to call the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office to let police know the car was being taken, Farmington officer Ryan Rosie said. 

Apparently, the owner saw the vehicle being driven off and called police. County officers relayed the information to state police who were covering the northern part of the county this week, he said.

When Rosie, on patrol for Farmington, heard the stolen vehicle call just before 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, he started driving north on Fairbanks Road and spotted the vehicle. He said he followed it until other officers could arrive.

The driver prepared to stop for gas at the Irving’s Convenience store on Main Street but likely saw police converging at the spot, he said.

As the driver got out of the vehicle, about half a dozen officers, including state police, Farmington police, University of Maine at Farmington police and county officers surrounded him, Rosie said.

“It is a repo,” the driver told police, and he quickly produced the repossession papers, Rosie said.

The officers wished him a pleasant day and went on their way. 

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