Oxford Police recover over $10,000 in stolen property

Photo: Kayla Collins

INVESTIGATING — Oxford Police Officer Jim Richardson works on processing the evidence of more than $10,000 worth of stolen items that police recovered from a residence in Mechanic Falls last month. 

Photo:

John P. Michaud

OXFORD —  Two men have been charged in connection with stealing thousands of dollars worth of tools and other property from businesses in Oxford, Androscoggin and Cumberland counties, Oxford Police Lieutenant Michael Ward reported Tuesday. 

John P. Michaud, 44, of Mechanic Falls, was charged with burglary and David M. Leonard, 41, also of Mechanic Falls, was charged with receiving stolen property on September 27, said Ward.

Ward said both men reside at 289 South Main Street, where the items were discovered in a pile in a garage. 

According to Ward, on September 27, Oxford Police recovered over $10,000 worth of items that were stolen from Twin Town Homes and Schiavi Home Builders in Oxford, as well as two storage trailer units on Main Street in Oxford. 

Stolen property has also been traced to New Gloucester and Lewiston, said Ward. 

Stolen items include myriad power tools, DVD players and other electronics, heaters, air compressors, a generator and a jetski that was stolen from a residence in Raymond, said Ward. 

On Tuesday, Oxford Police Officer Jim Richardson and Lieutenant Ward spent hours processing the evidence by recording each item's serial number, then numbering and photographing it. 

According to Ward, police were able to recover the stolen items from a tip from Maine Drug Enforcement Agency. 

Ward said Michaud was charged with theft at Twin Town Homes in 2009. 

The investigation continues, Ward said Tuesday. The other agencies involved in the investigation are Cumberland County Sheriff, Androscoggin County Sheriff, Mechanic Falls Police Department and the MDEA. 

Ward suggests that people mark all of their belongings with their initials or some other special marking in the event the property gets stolen. 

"This whole investigation would be much easier if people would mark their tools and other property," he said. 

If you are missing property or find items you believe may have been stolen, contact the Oxford Police Department at 539-4414.