Norridgewock man arrested after breaking into marijuana dispensary, sheriff says

NORRIDGEWOCK — A 42-year-old man was arrested Thursday after authorities said he admitted to breaking into a medical marijuana dispensary in Norridgewock earlier in the week.

Christopher D. Kelly was charged with burglary and criminal mischief, according to a news release issued Friday by Somerset County Sheriff Dale Lancaster.

Christopher D. Kelly Photo courtesy of Somerset County Sheriff’s Office

The owner of the Norridgewock Springs dispensary on Waterville Road reported a burglary in progress around 2:30 a.m. Monday and said the suspect was still inside the business. The owner fired a handgun in the direction of the intruder, but did not strike him, and the suspect fled on foot, according to Lancaster.

Investigators found that the suspect tried to open the cash register but was unsuccessful. A window was damaged when the person entered the dispensary and a glass door was damaged when he fled.

And then on Thursday, Somerset County sheriff’s Detective David Cole stopped a vehicle that was driven by Kelly in Fairfield for a motor vehicle violation, Lancaster said. Cole found that Kelly’s driver’s license was suspended and there was a warrant for his arrest out of Androscoggin County.

Cole arrested Kelly on the warrant and issued a summons for operating after suspension and violating conditions of release. Cole then interviewed Kelly about the break-in at the dispensary and Kelly admitted to committing the burglary, Lancaster said.

Kelly was listed on his license as having a Lewiston address but authorities said he was most recently living in Norridgewock. He was being held Friday at the Somerset County Jail on $350 bail.

He’s scheduled to appear in a Skowhegan courtroom on Sept. 6 on the burglary and criminal mischief charges.