POLAND – A search was on Wednesday for three suspects who police say fired several shots into a Rockwood Lane home after an early morning burglary attempt.
Investigators said a man who lives in the house was narrowly missed by a bullet when gunfire exploded outside just before 2 a.m.
Police from the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office and surrounding agencies were still searching for the suspects Wednesday night.
Investigators said the drama began when a man woke in the early morning hours to find three people breaking into his garage.
The homeowner interrupted the burglary, but as the suspects fled, one or more of them wheeled to fire several times at the house.
The resident was not hurt in the gunfire, but police said at least one of the bullets passed very close to him as the suspects fled.
The trio bolted from the scene on foot but got into a car a short distance away, said Sheriff’s Detective Cpl. Rielly Bryant. The suspects were last seen jumping into a vehicle and heading away toward Oxford on Megquire Hill Road.
Sheriff’s deputies who arrived at the scene soon learned that someone had broken into vehicles belonging to another Rockwood Lane resident.
Police gathered evidence at the scene of the shooting while other officers searched the area for the suspects.
Sheriff’s officials also notified state and local police departments to alert them of the shooting. Police in Lewiston, Auburn and surrounding towns were on the lookout for the suspects Wednesday night.
Bryant was also asking that anyone with information about the shooting or the suspects call him at 784-7361 or 1-800-492-0737 ext. 220.
“We’re hoping the public will be able to help us,” Bryant said. “We’re hoping people will realize how serious this is and help us get those guns off the streets.”
Police did not identify the victim while the suspects remained at large and an investigation was under way. Investigators consider the suspects dangerous and advised residents to lock doors in their homes and vehicles.
“That’s something they should be doing anyway,” Bryant said.
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