Two Skowhegan residents were arrested Thursday after they admitted to stealing a pet hamster from the Cornville Regional Charter School, as well as other items from the school and area camps, police said.

The hamster, named Link, is a pet of the school’s kindergarten class and was recovered during the execution of a search warrant at 58 Greenwood Ave. in Skowhegan, according to a news release from Sheriff Dale Lancaster, of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office.

Gerry Braley, 26, was arrested and charged with four counts of burglary and four counts of theft.

Alexis Lloyd, 19, was summoned on one count each of burglary and theft for her alleged involvement in the break-in at the school, the release said.

“I believe they felt (the hamster) was alone in the school and they wanted a hamster,” Lancaster said Thursday afternoon.

He said Link was returned to the school’s executive director, Justin Belanger, who was elated at the return of the pet.

“I’m not a veterinarian, but he appeared to be healthy,” Lancaster said.

Sheriff’s deputies and Skowhegan police executed the search warrant Thursday as the result of an investigation into several burglaries in the area. The burglaries were reported at camps in Anson and Starks as well as at the charter school and took place over the last two months, the release said.

Stolen items included tools, televisions, electronics and the hamster. Surveillance videos and information from the public helped in the investigation, the release said, and eventually led police to Braley and Lloyd.

The investigation is ongoing. The sheriff’s department asks anyone with information on Braley or Lloyd or who may have bought property from them to call Detective Michael Ross at 858-9530.

Rachel Ohm — 612-2368

rohm@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @rachel_ohm