Hebron town office burglary still unresolved

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Daniel Ouellette

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HEBRON —  An attempted burglary that happened at the Hebron town office nearly two years ago has yet to be resolved, reported selectboard chairman Dick Deans at Monday's meeting. 

Deans said he is expected to testify in Androscoggin County Superior Court some time in March or April.

In November 2011, Daniel Ouellette, 50, of Lewiston, was arrested for breaking into the town office after police received an anonymous tip that Ouellette was en route to the town office with the intent of burglarizing the building.

Acccording to selectmen, Ouellette used a pry bar, chisel, flashlight and gloves, in a vain attempt to find a safe, which the town office does not have.

During the course of the burglary, Ouellette damaged three of the building's doors doing approximately $2,000 in damage.

Board members said it was the first time anyone had broken into the town office. 

Ouellette has a history of breaking into municipal buildings, selectmen iterated during Monday's meeting.

"Apparently they have this guy on something like seven different felony theft charges," said Selectman Dan Eichorn.

According to Eichorn, the cases are pending trial for a "theft spree." 

"Ouellette had a rash of break-ins during a two or three week period. He broke in to seven or eight places," Eichorn said. "Or more." 

"He's expecting that he DA's office is probably going to work out some kind of deal and then there won't be a hearing and we won't need to testify, but oviously that's not guaranteed."

According to reports, in November 2011, Ouellette was charged with burglary, criminal mischief and violating bail from an earlier burglary charge.

He has been charged with several counts of felony burglary and theft as well as numerous misdemeanors in Androscoggin and Oxford counties, according to reports.

Ouellette was told not to have contact with the town of Hebron or any of its municipal buildings. He was ordered to stay away from town halls, but may visit Lewiston City Hall during business hours.

In other news, the board: 

• Reported that planning board meetings will be held every third Monday of the month. The next meeting is March 18 at 7 p.m.