WATERVILLE — Police officers with their guns drawn arrested three men Saturday afternoon in the parking lot of a Home Depot store.

A total of 14 officers from five agencies took part in the arrests in front of shoppers at the plaza on Waterville Commons Drive just after 2 p.m., according to Deputy Police Chief Charles Rumsey.

The men were outside Home Depot when several armed detectives in plain clothes surrounded them, taking the men into custody within a matter of seconds, Rumsey said.

Two of the men were still in the parked car and the third was walking nearby when the detectives swarmed the trio, he said.

“They were ordered to the ground, they were placed under arrest and no one was injured,” Rumsey said.

Rumsey would not release the names of the men or the charges they face.

Two firearms that police believe had been stolen were seized during the arrest, and the vehicle was towed from the parking lot. Rumsey would not say what kind of firearms the men had.

Rumsey said details are being withheld to avoid compromising an investigation that could result in more arrests. He said more details may be released in a couple days.

The arrests of the three men Saturday is part of an investigation that has been going on for more than a week, Rumsey said.

A total of 14 law enforcement officers from several agencies participated in the arrest, which was made by Waterville city police detectives, Rumsey said. Maine State Police, Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office and town police departments from Fairfield and Oakland assisted, he said.

David Robinson — 861-9287
drobinson@centralmaine.com