WATERVILLE —  A man arrested trying to break into a downtown business Monday morning is a suspect in a series of area burglaries, according to police.

Andrew Cooper, 27, was arrested outside J.R.’s Trading and Jewelry pawn shop after a passerby reported to police at 6:15 a.m. that a man was trying to break into the shop’s side door, Police Chief Joe Massey said.

Cooper was found him with a chisel and screwdrivers trying to open the door, Massey said.

When police later searched his car at a Hathaway Street apartment where Cooper said he was staying for a few weeks, police found items from several different burglaries, Massey said.  

Massey said Cooper admitted that recently he twice burglarized Ken-A-Set thrift store, which is within a few blocks of his residence and the pawnshop. Police are also investigating Cooper’s possible involvement in other recent burglaries, Massey said.

Cooper is charged with three felonies: two class C burglaries and a class D attempted burglary. He is also charged with criminal mischief and possession of burglary tools.

He is held in Kennebec County Jail $4,000 cash bail.

 


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