WESTBROOK — Westbrook police say a homeowner may have prevented a home invasion when he held one of the suspects at bay with a shotgun.

Lt. Mike Nugent said Andrew Gagne, 21, of Standish drove with two friends to a home on Mill Lane in Westbrook shortly before 10 Tuesday morning.

Gagne waited in the car while David Solak, 29, and Douglas L. Perez, 22, both of Standish, broke down the front door to the home.

 

“The door frame was broken, but we’re not sure if they kicked it in or shouldered their way in,” Nugent said.

The sound from the breaking door awakened the homeowner, who armed himself with a shotgun.

Nugent said he won’t identify the 40-year-old man because the break-in remains under investigation and police don’t typically name victims.

When Solak and Perez entered the home, they encountered the armed homeowner. Solak fled, but Perez was held at gunpoint until Westbrook police arrived.

Solak suffered a head injury as he fled and was taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland for treatment.

“We asked him how he got hurt, but Solak could not tell us,” Nugent said.

Nugent said a Westbrook police officer who happened to be passing through the neighborhood was flagged down by a resident and arrested Perez inside the home.

Nugent said that officer, whom he declined to name, had to be cautious because when he arrived, he met the armed man holding the other man at bay.

“We’ve learned that the guy with the gun is not always the bad guy,” Nugent said.

Four other police officers arrived and arrested Solak and Gagne outside the home. All three men were charged with criminal conspiracy.

“We brought that charge because all indications are that they planned this,” Nugent said. He said the motive remains under investigation.

Solak was also charged with burglary and criminal mischief. Perez was charged with burglary.

The men were held on Tuesday in the Cumberland County Jail.

 

Staff Writer Dennis Hoey can be contacted at 791-6365 or at: dhoey@pressherald.com

 

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