WATERVILLE — A Clinton man is behind bars after being arrested Monday for allegedly burglarizing a Pleasant Hill Drive home and stealing two rifles and accessories.
Donald Veilleux, 28, of 66 Spring St., Apt. 2, Clinton, is charged with burglary, theft, possession of a firearm by a felon and violation of conditions of release, according to Deputy police Chief Charles Rumsey.
He also is on a probation hold because  when he was arrested, he was on probation for theft offenses, Rumsey said.
At 2:30 p.m. May 5, police got a call from a Pleasant Hill Drive resident who said that when he arrived home, he discovered two firearms, ammunition and some firearms magazines were missing, Rumsey said.
Detective Chris Paradis was assigned to the case and Veilleux’s name came up during the investigation, Rumsey said.
“Through the process of the investigation, including finding Mr. Veilleux and speaking with him, we were able to find out where the firearms were and recover them,” he said. “They had been sold to third parties and we were able to find them and recover them.”
Paradis arrested Veilleux at noon Monday after Veilleux came to the police station,  according to Rumsey. Bail was set at $14,000 cash and he was unable to make bail so he was taken to Kennebec County Jail in Augusta, Rumsey said. He is scheduled to appear in Kennebec County Superior Court July 10.
“I think it was great work by Detective Paradis in tracking Mr. Veilleux down and finding out where the firearms were, recovering them and getting them off the street,” Rumsey said.
He said police have dealt with a rash of serious cases involving weapons recently. He cited several stabbings that have occurred over the last few weeks.
The burglary charge is a Class B felony; the theft, a Class B felony because it involved firearms; and the possession of firearms charge, a Class C felony.
Rumsey said Veilleux was charged with violation of conditions of release because at the time of his arrest, he was on post-conviction bail in Kennebec County for theft offenses.
Rumsey said there was no forced entry into the house. Police were unable to determine how Veilleux got in, but believe the doors were unlocked, he said.
Pleasant Hill Drive is off  Ridge Road, which is off Upper Main Street.

Amy Calder — 861-9247
acalder@centralmaine.com