SKOWHEGAN — A Palmyra man is scheduled to appear in June in court on felony charges related to an alleged home burglary and theft of firearms in March.
Somerset County Sheriff Dale Lancaster said Ryan Gaudet, 24, was charged in connection with a report taken by the sheriff’s department about 8:15 a.m. March 31 about a burglary at residence on Main Street in Palmyra.
Deputy Toby Blodgett’s investigation showed that the front storm door of the house had been pulled away and appeared to be broken. Further investigation revealed that entry had been made through the door, Lancaster said. The deputy also found that several firearms had been stolen.
Lancaster said three shotguns, a .22-caliber rifle, a 30-06 rifle and a Winchester .351 rifle were taken in the burglary.
Gaudet was charged April 1 with burglary, a class B felony, and theft, also a class B felony, each punishable by up to 10 years in prison, for allegedly breaking into the home in Palmyra and stealing the six firearms.
Gaudet also was charged with criminal attempt burglary, a class D misdemeanor, for the alleged attempted burglary of the Palmyra Country Store a day earlier.
The store owner reported that he had closed the store about 45 minutes earlier, and upon returning to the store he found the plate glass in the side entrance door shattered but intact. Deputy Logan Roberts went to the scene. The investigation revealed that entry had not been made.
On the morning of April 1, Detective Jeremy Leal, of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Division, joined Roberts and Blodgett in the investigation. As a result of their investigation, Ryan Gaudet was identified as a possible suspect, according to Lancaster.
On April 2, deputies interviewed Gaudet, who reportedly admitted having taken the six firearms from the home and having tried to break into the Palmyra Country Store, police said. The firearms were recovered and returned to the owner.
Gaudet was issued a summons. He is scheduled to appear June 12 in Somerset County Unified Court. He was not arrested, so there no bail was set.
It is unclear whether he has a lawyer yet, as the case has not been filed with the court.
Doug Harlow — 612-2367
dharlow@centralmaine.com
Twitter:@Doug_Harlow
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